UK / Ireland
PE groups circle Spanish infrastructure asset
The Spanish utility firm Endesa, controlled by Italian giant Enel SpA, is reportedly examining the sale of 80% of its gas transport and distribution business in an effort to reduce the group's borrowings.
Goldman to retain private equity business
Goldman Sachs plans to retain its private equity business, despite recent congressional regulations restricting bank investments in alternative assets.
MCH Private Equity invests in Conservas Garavilla
MCH Private Equity has invested in canned fish producer Conservas Garavilla.
NBGI Private Equity acquires Praticdose
NBGI Private Equity has backed the management buy-in of French medical equipment provider Praticdose.
Ibersuizas closes in on Multiasistencia
Press reports suggest that the Madrid-based later stage investor Ibersuizas has signed heads of agreement over the buyout of Multiasistencia, Spain's leading provider of business process outsourcing services to the financial and corporate sector.
Recruitment: Tough times poaching top talent
Private equity houses have, it seems, been on a recruitment spree hiring many junior professionals after a two-year lull, as they veer into deal making again and poach top-tier resources from banks. However, they may be in for bumpy ride as banks put...
Finance Wales backs GeoVS
Finance Wales has invested £250,000 in UK early-stage visualisation technology company, GeoVS.
Consortium invests SEK 17m in Barista
Almi Invest, Alveco Invest and six business angels have provided SEK 17m expansionary capital for the coffee chain, Barista Fair Trade Coffee.
Standard & Poor's downgrades Wendel rating
Listed investment company Wendel saw its long-term credit rating downgraded from BB to BB- by Standard & Poor's (S&P) today.
Lloyds appoints Jeremy Perl as deal director
Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets acquisition finance has appointed Jeremy Perl as deal director - to focus on structuring leveraged debt facilities for the mid-market.
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett appoints partner
Private equity specialist Jason Glover will join the law firm as a partner in its London office.
Endless employs Kerry Swain
The turnaround fund, Endless LLP, has appointed Kerry Swain as investment executive for its Leeds office.
Internet investments: Venture banking on social networks
Social networking has enjoyed a meteoric rise in recent years and the sector’s biggest player, Facebook, is this week set to announce it has 500 million users. However, there remain doubts over whether social networking can be profitable, but this has...
Canadian Onex and CPPIB offer $4.37bn for Tomkins
Canadian private equity investor, Onex Corp and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) have reportedly offered $4.37bn for UK components manufacturer Tomkins.
Connection Capital invests in budget hotel operator
Connection Capital has completed its first investment, a £1.2m growth capital investment in budget hotel operator Sleeperz Hotels Limited.
Permira-backed Birds Eye Iglo acquires Findus Italy
Permira-backed Birds Eye Iglo has agreed to acquire the frozen food producer Findus Italy from Unilever.
MJ Hudson heads new generation of law firms
Matthew Hudson has formed new law firm MJ Hudson LLP, which will provide legal advice on the formation of specialist investment funds and the structuring of deals.
Grant Thornton promotes corporate finance lead
Dominic Bolton has been promoted to lead Grant Thornton’s corporate finance media and entertainment division.
Naxicap invests €4m in Nord Sud Brasseries
Naxicap Partners has injected €4m in chef Paul Bocuse's Nord Sud Brasseries.
Deutsche Bank to offload Sal Oppenheim private equity funds
Deutsche Bank is looking to sell Sal Oppenheim's private equity fund portfolio, with an estimated value of $500m-1bn according to reports.
ECI bids for UK mobile entertainment technology company Win
ECI Partners is reportedly in talks to invest in UK mobile entertainment technology company Win Plc.
KKR in lukewarm IPO
The US listing of global private equity investor, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR), got off to a lukewarm start with shares losing 2.9% on the first day of trading.
Fundraising: GPs face uphill climb
The wheels of the industry are gradually grinding into motion, with some notable fundraisings in 2010 so far. With activity expected to pick up, what awaits the European GPs looking to refill their coffers later in 2010 or into 2011? Julian Longhurst...
Talks over Candover Investment Plc takeover terminated
A statement issued today by Candover Investments Plc confirmed that discussions with a potential bidder for the company have been terminated.