UK / Ireland
Out of time - extending investment periods
The thought of extending a fund’s investment period sends shivers down some spines.
SJ Berwin names eight to partnership
SJ Berwin has promoted eight of its lawyers to partner.
Lloyds adds Widdall to acquisition finance team
Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets has appointed Matt Widdall as director on its acquisition finance team in the North West.
Cerberus-backed Focus DIY goes into administration
Cerberus Capital’s portfolio company Focus DIY has entered administration.
Bregal named as mystery suitor for IFG
The firm eyeing up IFG Group plc is said to be Bregal Capital, according to a source close to the deal.
Clydesdale steps into Dunedin's CitySprint
Dunedin has secured a £30m debt package for its portfolio company CitySprint.
AnaCap buys Cabot Financial from Citi
Specialist financial services investor AnaCap Financial Partners has acquired consumer debt purchasing firm Cabot Financial from Citi for an undisclosed amount.
I2BF et al back ACAL Energy with £4m
I2BF together with existing investors, including Carbon Trust Investment Partnership and the venture arm of industrial group Solvay, have invested in a £4m series-C round of funding in fuel cell business ACAL Energy Ltd.
Montana pioneered by Capital Dynamics spin-out
Highlighting the trend for increased liquidity in what is meant to be a long-term asset class, two executives from Capital Dynamics have left to launch a firm offering “innovative liquidity solutions”.
Bain linked to Micro Focus bid
Bain Capital is poised to make a bid for UK-based IT provider Micro Focus, in a deal that could be worth up to £900m, according to reports.
August Equity expands investment team
August Equity has appointed Anthony Bellau and promoted Mehul Patel to its investment team.
UK & Ireland unquote” 3 May 2011
There’s a new fund manager in town, but the faces are familiar, unquote” can exclusively reveal.
AFIC conference: Industry highlights tough year ahead
The major French players gathered in Paris today for the 14th annual conference of private equity association AFIC. Despite showing good signs of recovery, the French market still has daunting challenges to face in 2011. Greg Gille reports
Endless placed Amdega in administration
Endless-backed conservatory and greenhouse company Amdega has gone into administration, the turnaround specialist has confirmed.
Easter sees double secondaries deals
The Easter weekend has seen major developments in the secondaries market, with both HarbourVest and Eurazeo attempting to expand their presence through acquisitions. John Bakie reports
Pinsent Masons names Masraf new head of Corporate
International law firm Pinsent Masons has named Andrew Masraf the new head of the firm's 200-strong Corporate & Tax group.
Index invests £2.5m in Funding Circle
Index Ventures has provided UK-based social lending platform Funding Circle with a £2.5m series-A round of funding.
Private equity market contracts as larger buyouts remain sparse
The European private equity market shrunk to its lowest quarterly total in a year as transactions at the top end of the value spectrum remain conspicuous by their absence, according to figures from the latest unquote" Private Equity Barometer.
Barclays PE buys The Mill for £119m from Carlyle
In a tertiary buyout Barclays Private Equity (BPE) has acquired advertising visual effects group The Mill for £119m from The Carlyle Group.
Inflexion takes ISD private for £78.3m
Inflexion has agreed to take UK multi-channel retailer Ideal Shopping Direct (ISD) private in a deal that values the company at £78.3m.
August Equity portfolio firm buys Qura
August Equity portfolio company health service provider Active Assistance has acquired Qura Brain Injury Services.
UK & Ireland unquote" 18 April 2011
Edwards Group, A portfolio company of buyout and growth investor CCMP Capital Advisors, has decided not to proceed with its planned €1bn IPO. The news from Edwards Group is the latest in a string of cancelled flotations.
Altitude takes off with first close for £15m fund
There’s a new fund manager in town, but the faces are familiar, unquote" can exclusively reveal.
Inflexion appoints Edward Fraser
Inflexion has appointed Edward Fraser as investment executive.