UK / Ireland
PE houses lose out on Iceland auction
CEO Malcolm Walker has entered into exclusive talks to buy the remainder of UK frozen food retailer Iceland Foods, in a deal that values the business at £1.55bn.
Inflexion acquires Natural Products
Inflexion Private Equity has completed the buyout of London-based impulse giftware retailer Natural Products Worldwide (NPW).
DACH venture scene remains on top form
While the rest of Europe has suffered from a low deal volume in 2011, the DACH early-stage sector is going strong. Considering the well-established venture scene, it is not surprising that this region has dominated early-stage in Q4 2011.
Sovereign-backed IMS Group acquires US subsidiary
Sovereign Capital portfolio company the IMS Group, a governance, risk and compliance services provider, has acquired the outstanding shares in New-York based subsidiary IMS Consulting US using funds from its existing balance sheet.
MML Capital and Sports Investment Partners back Arena
MML Capital has led a £16.5m funding round for events management company the Arena Group alongside Sports Investment Partners, chaired by Sir Martin Broughton, the former chairman of Liverpool FC. MML Capital contributed £15m alongside a £1.5m coinvestment...
Carlyle reaps 1.8x on exit from Talaris
The Carlyle Group has sold UK-based cash management company Talaris to Japanese money handling solutions provider Glory Ltd for an enterprise value of £650m.
Dodd-Frank fears "overblown"
The extensive requirements and wide reach of the US's Dodd-Frank Act has stirred up fears among European GPs. But law firm DLA Piper downplays worries, pointing to a number of available exemptions. Sonnie Ehrendal investigates.
LDC's EDM Group acquires Filing Plus
LDC portfolio company EDM Group has acquired document consultancy services provider Filing Plus.
CVC and Phoenix talks break down
CVC has ended takeover talks with life assurance consolidator Phoenix Group after failing to agree on valuation.
August-backed Active Assistance acquires Neural Pathways
August Equity LLP portfolio company Active Assistance, a clinical care services provider, has acquired rehabilitation therapy provider Neural Pathways Limited from managing director Vikki Gilman.
Market consolidation forcing FOFs to evolve
Funds-of-funds are an endangered species, with many shedding the title. Kimberly Romaine finds that today it’s all about diversification and tailoring your offering to prospective clients.
Early-stage and Nordics stand out
2011 was a bleak year for the private equity industry, but it was still an improvement on 2010, writes Olivier Marty
Cavendish promotes two directors to partners
Cavendish Corporate Finance has promoted directors Andrew Jeffs and Michael Jewell to partners.
Investec expands Growth & Acquisition Finance team
Investec has announced the appointment of Shaun Mullin to the Growth & Acquisition Finance team of the firm.
Fragmented ecosystem hampering European venture
The debate surrounding the high returns enjoyed by Silicon Valley investors compared to their European counterparts continues. But why do stateside investments traditionally reap higher returns than those in European startups, and what needs to change...
RJD reaps 1.5x on partial exit from Raphael Healthcare
RJD Partners has partially exited Raphael Healthcare in a refinancing, which has returned 1.5x of the original investment.
General Atlantic takes minority stake in FNZ
Growth equity provider General Atlantic has acquired a minority stake in HIG portfolio company FNZ, a London-based investment services firm.
BGF backs GCI Telecom
The Business Growth Fund (BGF) has invested £10m in Midlands-based telecoms and data service provider GCI Telecom in return for a minority stake.
MTI launches fund for university spin-outs
MTI has launched the Orion Fund to support spin-outs of top-tier technology universities in the UK.
Dow Schofield Watts opens Leeds office
Corporate finance advisers Dow Schofield Watts have opened a Leeds office, to be headed up by Roger Esler.
Four Seasons looks to raise equity from PE
Care home operator Four Seasons is reportedly looking to raise up to £230m equity as it struggles to refinance debt.
Accel leads $1.5m deal for online payment platform GoCardless
Accel Partners, Passion Capital and YCombinator have injected $1.5m (€1.13m) into British online payment platform GoCardless.
UK & Ireland unquote” February 2012
With changes to the Takeover Code only just starting to bed in within the UK, Labour leader Ed Miliband has already suggested additional and more radical changes to the rules governing publicly traded companies.
Phoenix-backed Musto to restructure debts
Phoenix portfolio company Musto is to begin a process of restructuring its debts in the next few weeks, according to reports.