UK / Ireland
Growth Capital announces two senior hires
Growth Capital Partners has appointed Francesco Santinon as a partner and Graham Dewhirst as advisory partner, who will take a seat on the board and investment committee.
Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank appoints head of acquisition finance
Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank Corporate & Structured Finance has appointed Graham Cunning to the newly created role of national director for Acquisition Finance.
Exits: Light at the end of the tunnel?
As 2010 saw buyout activity resurge from an exceptionally quiet 2009, the PE-industry was hoping the exit market would also come alive. Last year however proved to be far less favourable for the exit market than many had hoped for. Is this about to change...
Porton Capital et al. back Microvisk
Porton Capital, Oxford Technology Management, New Hill, Midven, the Rainbow Seed Fund, Finance Wales and private investors have backed Microvisk Technologies in a third round of finance with £6m.
ISIS invests £6.5m in Valldata
ISIS Equity Partners has backed the MBO of Valldata with a £6.5m investment from the Baronsmead VCTs.
Longbow launches Growth and Income VCT
Longbow Capital has launched a VCT which will invest in life enhancement and wellbeing companies located in the UK.
UK & Ireland unquote" 24 January 2011
Mark Florman will succeed Simon Walker as chief executive of the British Venture Capital Association, the lobbying group revealed last week.
Oxford Capital makes two senior appointments
Oxford Capital Partners has strengthened its lineup with two senior appointments to its board and investment team.
South Africa congress looks ahead
unquote’s 4th annual South Africa Private Equity Congress kicks off in two weeks’ time, and will see many of Africa’s biggest investors come together to discuss the issues facing this up-and-coming market.
DFJ Esprit sells The Cloud to BSkyB
Satellite broadcaster BSkyB has agreed to acquire wireless broadband business The Cloud from DFJ Esprit for an undisclosed amount.
UK media: On the road to recovery?
The global economic downturn – combined with a sustained decline in advertising revenues – took its toll on the UK media sector in 2009, as private equity investments dried up. The past year saw signs of a slight improvement and leaves the industry...
LDC invests in eConveyancer
LDC has provided UK online conveyancing software company eConveyancer with growth capital of an undisclosed amount.
LTF makes follow-on investment in Novacem
London Technology Fund (LTF) has participated in a £1.5m follow-on investment in Novacem Limited.
Carlyle buys AlpInvest
Carlyle Group has acquired AlpInvest Partners as part of a joint venture with AlpInvest’s management team.
Exponent acquires Premier Foods division
Exponent Private Equity and Intermediate Capital Group Plc. have acquired the meat-free business of Premier Foods Plc. for an aggregate consideration of £205m.
Cipio hits €137m final close for Fund VI
Direct secondaries specialist can now invest in US.
VC-backed BioVex sold for $1bn
Biotech company BioVex - backed by a consortium of venture investors including SEP, Forbion and Crédit Agricole Private Equity - has been acquired by US biotech firm Amgen in a $1bn all-cash deal.
Deal activity down but buyouts surge ahead
Private equity deal activity fell for a second consecutive quarter at the end of 2010 despite widespread optimism over the market’s outlook, according to figures from the latest unquote” Private Equity Barometer.
Foresight, Clearwater team up to offer £20m VCT
Foresight Group, an independent alternative asset manager, has teamed up with Clearwater Corporate Finance to launch a £20m venture capital trust (VCT) to invest in UK businesses seeking under £10m of capital.
Exponent contemplates £350m V Ships sale
Exponent Private Equity has hired advisers from Lazard to undertake a strategic review of its portfolio company, V Ships, with a view to a possible sale.
Key Capital Partners opens London office
Key Capital Partners (KCP) has expanded its geographic reach by opening a new office in London.
Charterhouse looking at possible £1.5bn PHS sale
Charterhouse Capital Partners is looking to sell workplace service provider PHS at the end of 2011, according to reports.
WestBridge-backed e2train buys Intraventure
WestBridge Fund Managers has made a further investment into e2train to support the acquisition of software business Intraventure.
Pamplona plans KCA Deutag takeover
Pamplona Capital Management is looking to take over UK oil services group KCA Deutag through a debt restructuring, according to media reports.