Southern Europe
EUROPE - Jonathan Russell appointed new EVCA chairman
The board of the EVCA has elected Jonathan Russell, managing partner of buyouts at 3i, as its new chairman for the year 2008-2009.
SPAIN - Miura reaches final closing of maiden fund
Miura Private Equity has announced the final closing of its maiden vehicle, Miura Fund I, on approximately EUR 100m.
UK - EVCA final figures show record investment in 2007
The EVCA has released its final figures for private equiity activity in 2007, with the report showing that a record EUR 73.8bn was invested across Europe, EUR 2.6bn higher than in 2006.
SPAIN - Kennet leads EUR 22m funding round for software firm
Kennet Partners has led a EUR 22m series-B financing round for software developer NTRGlobal, alongside Atlas Ventures and existing investors Debaeque and Elaia Partners.
SPAIN - Riverside appoints director
Riverside has appointed Juan Barnechea as a new director of origination within its Iberian team. In his role he will also liaise with European financial institutions.
SPAIN – Ahorro Corporación sells electronics firm to Siemens
Ahorro Corporación has sold electronics firm Fábrica Electrotecnica Josa (BJC) to Siemens.
ITALY - DLJ Merchant Banking backs Guala MBO
According to reports, DLJ Merchant Banking Partners, the private equity arm of Credit Suisse, will back the management buyout and subsequent delisting of Guala Closures, a maker of spirit and wine bottle tops.
ITALY – Wise backs two pharmaceuticals company
Wise Sgr has acquired a majority stake in Eurodifarm and Pucci Express, both companies operating in the pharmaceutical logistics sector.
EUROPE - Lazard recruits Wouter Gabriels
Lazard has recruited Wouter Gabriels as managing director in investment banking in Europe.
SPAIN – Banesto backs leisure management firm
Enisa SEPI Desarrollo, a private equity fund managed by Banesto and the Collosa group, has invested EUR 4m in leisure centre management firm Gaia Gestión Deportiva, taking a majority stake in the business.
ITALY – DLA Piper head of banking to join Jones Day
According to reports, Francesco Squerzoni, head of banking and structured finance at DLA Piper’s Italian practice, is quitting the company to join US firm Jones Day’s local team.
SPAIN - Cuatrecasas opens China office
Spanish law firm Cuatrecasas has been authorised to open a branch office in Shanghai. The new office, which will be headed up by senior associate Omar Puertas, will aim to assist Iberian clients in making Chinese investments as well as to advise on Chinese...
GLOBAL - 3i Infrastructure raises fresh funds
Despite the current sombre economic backdrop, 3i Infrastructure has launched a ТЃ114.6m new share issue to increase its warchest for investing in global infrastructure assets. The firm is issuing just over 108 million new shares at a price of 106 pence...
EUROPE - Industri Kapital re-brands as IK Investment Partners
Industri Kapital has changed its name to IK Investment Partners (IK) to mark the evolution of the firmтs investment and geographic focus.
GLOBAL - TPG en route to closing record buyout fund
TPG Capital's latest fund is well on course to top Blackstone Group's record USD 21.7bn offering last year, reports suggest. The news comes just a day after it was reported that China's State Administration of Foreign Exchange has invested more than USD...
SPAIN – Axis takes 5% stake in food company
Axis Participaciones Empresariales has taken a 5% stake in preserve company Isabel, which is owned by the Garavilla Family.
ITALY – Intesa Sanpaolo backs outsourcing firm
Imi Investimenti, part of the Intesa Sanpaolo Group, has acquired a 14% stake in outsourcing company Data Service through portfolio company Praxis Calcolo, one of Imi’s portfolio companies.
SPAIN – Candover-backed Parques Reunidos acquires Kennywood
Candover portfolio leisure company Parques Reunidos has acquired US company Kennywood Entertainment, increasing the number of parks it controls to 67.
GLOBAL - China invests USD 2.5bn in TPG fund
China's State Administration of Foreign Exchange has agreed to invest more than USD 2.5bn in the latest TPG fund.
GLOBAL - LPs concern over GP strategy shift
According to a global barometer by Coller Capital, global LPs are worried about recent GP strategy shifts as the credit crisis continues to bite.
SPAIN – Inova Capital becomes main shareholder of DiLartec
Inova Capital has invested a further EUR 1.1m in technology company DiLartec and has become its main shareholder with more than a 90% stake.
SPAIN – Benson Elliot Capital acquires stake in real estate developer
Private equity real estate firm Benson Elliot Capital Management has acquired a 70% stake in Spanish developer Promobuilding SL for an undisclosed sum. The balance stake will be retained by the management.
ITALY – Private equity in SME auctions
Market rumour suggests that both billboard company Avip and perfume manufacturer La Gardenia are currently the subject of an auction sale process in which private equity funds have shown interest.
ITALY – EstCapital launches first closed-end alternative energy fund
Asset management firm EstCapital Sgr has launched RealEnergy, the first closed-end fund investing in photovoltaic and alternative energy sources in Italy.