UK / Ireland
Strong appetite for AZ Chemicals IPO
Order books for the IPO of Luxembourg-based AZ Chemicals are due to close today and, according to reports, indications are that strong investor appetite has led to an increase in the scale of the offering.
Dawn Capital invests in Bathrooms.com
Dawn Capital has invested an undisclosed amount into Bathrooms.com in a series-A round of financing.
Maven Capital Partners backs Flexlife
Maven Capital Partners has led a £5.5m investment in Aberdeen-based Flexlife.
PAI still in race for Office
PAI partners is to make a second bid for £200m retail chain Office, according to media reports.
Fun-raising: PE runners seek €2.5m
GPs including 3i, Apax, Arcus, Bridgepoint, Capvis, Coller, Meridiam and Platina have joined forces to raise €2.5m. LPs Adams Street, Capital Dynamics, Partners Group, Pantheon and Pomona are also taking part, with Campbell Lutyens, Ernst & Young, PEI...
Frog Capital invests in Rockabox Media
Frog Capital has provided UK online media company Rockabox Media with a series-A round of financing.
AIFM: The end of a long road
With today’s news that European Parliament negotiators have agreed on the final text of the Alternative Investment Fund Manager’s Directive (AIFM), the private equity industry can look forward to greater certainty about the regulatory environment...
CVC and Apollo in Brit Insurance agreement
CVC Capital Partners and Apollo Management have reached an agreement with Brit Insurance to take the company private.
Legislators agree on final text for AIFM
European legislators have finally agreed on the Alternative Investment Fund Manager’s Directive (AIFM).
Mega deals drive Q3 market value to €24bn
The value of the European private equity market soared to almost €24bn in the third quarter, according to the unquote” Private Equity Barometer.
Q3 2010 unquote” Private Equity Barometer
The unquote” Private Equity Barometer, produced in association with Candover Partners, provides in-depth statistics and analysis of the latest trends in European Private Equity.
Finance Wales injects £1m into MGS
Regional investment company Finance Wales has given Medical Gas Solutions (MGS) a £1m cash boost as part of a second round of funding.
Lazard appoints Fotis Hasiotis
Fotis Hasiotis has joined Lazard as a co-head of the European financial sponsors group.
Alvarez & Marsal expands European team
Alvares & Marsal (A&M) has appointed Joop de Hoogh as a managing director. Based in Amsterdam and London, he will focus on the company’s pan-European clients.
Balderton-backed Betfair lists on LSE
Betfair, a UK-based online betting company backed by Balderton Capital, has been listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange; the IPO values the business at around £1.39bn.
Lyceum invests £17m into Compact Media
Investment firm Lyceum Capital has injected £17m into Compact Media Group, an independent rights administrator and royalties distributor for TV, film and music.
Octopus injects £2m in UltraSoC
Octopus Investments has provided £2m for UK technology developer UltraSoC Technologies Ltd.
Widening gulf between the haves and the have-nots
Today’s press coverage of David Rubenstein’s predictions on the future of the global private equity market serves again to highlight the increasing polarisation within the industry. Julian Longhurst reports.
3i considers selling its stakes in Foster + Partners
3i is considering offloading its stake in architecture practice Foster + Partners, according to recent media reports.
UK has new corporate finance boutique
A new corporate finance boutique called Spectrum Corporate Finance was launched earlier this month in the Thames Valley region.
Videogames: private equity plays to win
Web-based and mobile games have seen a rapid rise in popularity in recent years, with popular products such as Farmville even making mainstream news headlines. Private equity has kept a keen eye on the industry, and a number of firms operating in the...
KKR-backed Alliance Boots increases stake in Anzag
KKR’s portfolio company Alliance Boots has increased its stake in German pharmaceutical wholesaler Anzag.
KKR-backed Alliance Boots increases stake in Anzag
KKR’s portfolio company Alliance Boots has increased its stake in German medicine wholesaler Anzag.
French venture: Retail funds under threat
France’s FCPI and FIP funds, two tax-efficient retail vehicles created to promote venture investments, are currently being overhauled by the legislator. While the proposed 2011 budget grants them a new lease of life, a number of changes are bound to...