UK / Ireland
Consumer sector leads buyout recovery
Consumer-centric companies were a major focus for buyout investors in 2010, despite the sector's struggle during the recession years. John Bakie investigates
MML backs Exploration Logistics
MML Capital Partners acquires a minority stake in Exploration Logistics.
Quest and Capricorn to merge
Quest Management and Capricorn Venture Partners are set to join forces following a proposal by their respective boards of directors to merge the two companies.
Linpac offloads five assets to Chamonix
Direct secondaries specialist Chamonix Private Equity has completed the institutional buyout of five non-core businesses from Linpac Group.
Mid-cap and emerging markets to shine in 2011
The year ahead will be the golden age the industry's awaited for two years. But the rich pickings will be limited, with the mid-cap and emerging markets ripe for investment. John Bakie gives an overview
The year that was 2010: Cold weather fails to put freeze on recovery
As the end of 2010 approaches, it will likely be remembered as a year of considerable uncertainty. Fear of a double-dip recession, major debt crises, a fragile economic recovery and the return of mega-buyouts are among the major developments affecting...
Providence calls off Phones4U sale
Providence Equity has postponed plans to sell mobile phone retailer Phones4U, according to media reports.
Argos Soditic closes latest fund on €400m hard cap
Argos Soditic has closed the Euroknights VI buyout fund at its €400m hardcap, following a relatively short formal fundraising period.
Montagu reaches €2bn first close on new fund
Montagu Private Equity is to tell its investors it has reached a €2bn first close on its new fund, according to media reports.
The year that was 2010: Mega-buyouts back in force
As the end of 2010 approaches, it will likely be remembered as a year of considerable uncertainty. Fear of a double-dip recession, major debt crises, a fragile economic recovery and the return of mega-buyouts are among the major developments affecting...
The year that was 2010: Greek debt and green shoots
As the end of 2010 approaches, it will likely be remembered as a year of considerable uncertainty. Fear of a double-dip recession, major debt crises, a fragile economic recovery and the return of mega-buyouts are among the major developments affecting...
2010: a step towards recovery
In the end, 2010 has turned out to be the year of the recovery. Deal activity is up, the mega-buyout has reappeared, many houses have managed to record lucrative exits and there have even been some successful fundraisings.
UK & Ireland unquote" 20 December 2010
Senior and subordinated lenders that backed the 2006 tertiary buyout of Alliance Medical by DIC and previous majority shareholder Bridgepoint Capital have reached an agreement over a £570m debt restructuring package.
LDC exits British Salt in £93m trade sale
LDC has sold salt producer British Salt to UK corporation Brunner Mond for £93m.
RJD backs Chemigraphic MBO
RJD Partners has backed the management buyout of UK-based electronic manufacturing services provider Chemigraphic.
Albion Ventures invests £2m in Engensa
Venture capital firm Albion Ventures has invested £2m in domestic solar panel installer Engensa to allow it to provide free solar energy to homes in Windsor and Maidenhead.
The year that was 2010: Economy fears dampen slow recovery
As the end of 2010 approaches, it will likely be remembered as a year of considerable uncertainty. Fear of a double-dip recession, major debt crises, a fragile economic recovery and the return of mega-buyouts are among the major developments affecting...
Apax aims to raise €11bn fund
Apax Partners is looking to raise an €11bn buyout fund in 2011, according to media reports.
Buyouts spring back in 2010
Preliminary figures for the European Buyout Review 2011 confirm the general feeling in the market that buyout activity has bounced back in 2010. Emanuel Eftimiu gives an overview
A shakeout?
Remember a study titled “Get ready for the private equity shakeout” published two years ago? Not really? To refresh your memory, it was a white paper published jointly by IESE Business School and The Boston Consulting Group and made headlines by claiming...
Fifth bolt-on in 2010 for Sovereign-backed LM Funerals
Sovereign Capital portfolio company LM Funerals has acquired funeral services business FM & J Wait (FMJW).
Fundraising market continues to confound
Fundraising conditions are at their toughest for nearly a decade and the market is awash with rumours of stalled fundraising programmes. But there are also regular reports of highly successful fundraisings that fly in the face of the current trends. Julian...
Silverfleet acquires Office from West Coast Capital
Silverfleet Capital has acquired UK-based footwear retail chain Office from west Coast Capital.
Mercia-backed Hybrid merges with Myotec
Hybrid Biosystems, a portfolio company of West Midlands technology specialist the Mercia Fund, has merged with Myotec Therapeutics to form PsiOxus Therapeutics.