Southern Europe
EUROPE - Advent International announces global promotions
Advent International has announced the promotion of 13 members of its global investment team.
ITALY - Private equity courts Tiscali
Market sources suggest that a number of private equity firms, including BC Partners, Permira, Apax, CVC and Investitori Associati, have shown interest in Tiscali.
SPAIN - Nazca buys Acens Technologies alongside management
Nazca Capital has wholly acquired IT outsourcing business Acens Technologies alongside its management. Although the consideration has not been disclosed, the deal is understood to be worth around EUR 40m.
SPAIN - Permira refinances DinoSol's debt package
Following its investment of DinoSol (formerly Ahold's) in 2004, Permira has refinanced the supermarket chain's debt, which currently sits at just under EUR 500m.
ITALY - BC Partners joins the competition for Alitalia
Press reports suggest that pan-European firm BC Partners is also interested in troubled airline Alitalia.
ITALY - Ferretti deal obtains antitrust approval
The purchase of luxury yacht manufacturer Ferretti, by Candover from Permira received clearance from the Italian antitrust authorities yesterday.
EUROPE - European Buyout Review shows 2006 record year for private equity
2006 was a record year for European buyouts with the total value of deals topping over EUR 160bn for the first time ever, according to the latest European Buyout Review due to be published in March 2007 by Incisive Media in association with Bridgepoint....
ITALY - Investors deny sale of SEAT Pagine Gialle
According to reports in the Italian press, Investitori Associati and the other backers of SEAT Pagine Gialle are not looking into selling their joint stake of 50.1% in the directory business this year.
SPAIN - Permira refinances DinoSol's debt package
Following its investment in DinoSol (formerly Ahold's) in 2004, Permira has refinanced the supermarket chain's debt, which currently sits at just under EUR 500m.
SPAIN - Catalana d'Iniciatives hires Albert Alsina as investment director
Barcelona-based firm Catalana d'Iniciatives has recently hired Albert Alsina as the firm's investment director for its private equity operations.
SPAIN - Advent sells Parques Reunidos in Spain's largest ever exit
As anticipated by unquote news" on 17 January, Candover has acquired leisure complex Parques Reunidos from Advent International in Spain's first mega-deal of the year.
SPAIN - A new private equity player for the Asturias region
A new private equity firm, Prince Capital Partners, has been recently formed to invest in SMEs in the Asturias region. It will focus on companies in the early-stage and expansion stages.
SPAIN - Clave Mayor buys IT support business
Private equity firm Clave Mayor has announced its investment in IT company Angelpc Global Support SA. The company provides 24-hour IT support via a network of professionals connected via a software link. .
ITALY - All eyes on Alitalia
Italian turnaround funds, industrial players and US private equity houses are said to be among the interested parties in troubled airline Alitalia. It is understood that the deadline for the submission of offers is next Monday.
SPAIN - Mercapital and La Caixa try to sell Occidental again
Mercapital and the other shareholders of hotel chain Occidental have appointed Goldman Sachs to find a buyer for the company.
ITALY - Clessidra sells Societa Gasdotti Italia
Clessidra Capital Partners has sold Societa Gasdotti Italia (SGI) to ABN AMRO Global Infrastructure Fund for EUR 300m, giving returns to the firm of 4x its initial investment and an IRR of around 90%.
SPAIN - Candover is the most likely buyer of Parques Reunidos
The sale of leisure complex Parques Reunidos is nearing its final stages.
ITALY - Cerberus sells the holding of Fila
US-based hedge fund Cerberus Capital Management has sold its portfolio company Sports Brands International, a holding company of sportswear brand Fila.
ITALY - Investitori Associati denies rumours of possible Alitalia bid
Private equity firm Investitori Associati has refuted rumours that it is planning to launch a bid for airline Alitalia.
GLOBAL - SJBerwin loses three partners to Kirkland & Ellis
SJ Berwin LLP has announced that three private equity partners, Mark Mifsud, Richard Watkins and Justin Dolling, will move to rival law firm Kirkland & Ellis LLP’s fund formation team.
ITALY - Mobango secures backing from Doughty Hanson
Doughty Hanson Technology Ventures has invested EUR 2m in Mobango, an online and mobile services developer.
EUROPE - IPES appoints Brennan as COO
IPES, a private equity fund administrator and outsourcing provider, has announced that Kevin Brennan is to take on the newly created role of chief operating officer. Brennan will be responsible for the design and delivery of the organisational structure...
ITALY - Centrobanca acquires majority stake in Gatto Astucci
Closed-end fund Centrobanca Sviluppo Impresa has acquired a 61% shareholding in packaging business Gatto Astucci for an undisclosed amount.
ITALY - Private equity firms court Fastweb
Reports in the Italian press suggest that three international private equity firms may be interested in buying Fastweb, Italy's second-largest fixed-line telephone company.