UK / Ireland
UK & Ireland unquote” out now
While CVC launches an internal investigation into its acquisition of Formula 1, this week’s unquote” looks at the UK Bribery Act and the effects it could have on UK Private Equity.
Latest round values Spotify at $1bn
The latest round of fundraising for Spotify could value the digital jukebox service at up to $1bn according to reports.
UK & Ireland unquote" 21 February 2011
Former BayernLB chief risk officer Gerhard Gribkowsky is being held by the Munich police over allegations of corruption regarding the CVC Capital Partners-backed buyout of Formula One Group in 2006.
3i portfolio company acquires S&D-Group
3i's portfolio company Azelis has acquired specialist ingredients provider S&D-Group for an undisclosed amount.
HW Corporate Finance adds new partner
John Box, former head of Barclay’s leverage finance business, has been appointed as a partner at HW Corporate Finance LLP.
ISIS invests £14m in HPF
ISIS Equity Partners has invested £14m of growth capital funding in UK engineering consultancy firm hurleypalmerflatt (HPF).
Private equity prepares Northern Foods bid
A private equity firm has teamed up with Irish food group Greencore to prepare a bid for Northern Foods, the company that makes Fox’s biscuits and Goodfellas pizza.
UK mid-market recovers but caution at year-end
UK mid-market activity made a significant recovery in 2010, though a dip at year-end suggests investors are still cautious over the state of the economy, according to the latest unquote” regional mid-market barometer.
unquote" Private Equity Barometer - Q4 2010
Preliminary figures released today in the Q4 2010 unquote" Private Equity Barometer (published by unquote" and sponsored by Candover Partners) reveal a fall in activity during Q4.
Wellington Partners strengthens cleantech team
Pan-European venture capital firm Wellington Partners has appointed Jigar Shah and Mark Woodall as venture partners, increasing the headcount of the cleantech investment team to four.
UK turnarounds: Turning tide?
Despite much anticipation, an expected wave of turnaround deals failed to materialise in 2010 as the UK economy slowly got back on its feet. But could a new, uncertain environment mean more opportunities for turnaround players in 2011? Greg Gille investigates
Phoenix invests £18m to back ERA MBO
Phoenix Private Equity has invested £18m to back the management buyout of ERA Technology from Cobham plc.
KCP acquires Wells Plastics
Key Capital Partners (KCP) has backed the management buyout of additive manufacturer and supplier Wells Plastics for an undisclosed amount.
unquote” South Africa Report 2011
The latest unquote" South Africa Report is now available to download. This year’s edition looks at the prevailing trends in the South African market, as well as discussing what the future holds.
Gores Group closes fund on $2bn
Los Angeles-based private equity investment firm The Gores Group has closed its third fund, Gores Capital Partners III, with capital commitments of $2bn. It exceeds the vehicle’s $1.5bn target by 30%.
Zeus Private Equity changes name to Palatine
Zeus Private Equity has changed its name to Palatine Private Equity.
HIG Europe acquires Fibercore
HIG Europe has acquired Fibercore together with the management from communication system provider Cisco.
Octopus invests £1.6m in Vega-Chi
Octopus Investments has provided UK online trading platform Vega-Chi with £1.6m of growth capital funding.
FSA clamps down on corruption in private equity
Private equity firms could soon find themselves criminally liable. Once the UK Bribery Act comes into effect in April, the FSA and other regulators will be clamping down on corporate hospitality, corrupt payments and any other behaviour they deem suspicious...
Frog Capital invests £3m in Rated People
Frog Capital has made a £3m growth capital investment in UK online service provider Rated People.
LDC acquires Kee Safety
Mid-market private equity house LDC has backed the management buyout of global safety solutions provider Kee Safety.
Trilantic appoints John Danilovich
Trilantic Capital Partners has appointed John Danilovich to its European Advisory Council.
Half of mega-fundraisings to struggle this year
Half of Europe’s mega-buyout funds launched in 2011 will struggle to reach a first close, according to MVision’s Mounir Guen.
Intel Capital et al. invest $10m in Voss Solutions
Intel Capital has led a $10m series-C funding round of unified communications and collaboration (UC&C) provider, Voss Solutions.