UK / Ireland
Inflexion completes £28.4m take-private of FDM Group
Inflexion Private Equity has completed the de-listing of IT services company FDM Group. The deal valued the AIM-listed business at £28.4m, down from £33.3m, as reported in unquote" in December last year, when the deal was agreed.
Green spark: Renewables still generating returns
Despite the difficult economic backdrop, environmental infrastructure continues to prove attractive to investors. By Francinia Protti-Alvarez
Phoenix nearly triples money on Nationwide sale to Halfords
Second exit in 2010 for Phoenix, Kimberly Romaine reports
To SBO or IPO, that is the question
Recent evidence has shown that for good companies the barren exit market of last year has been replaced by a tug-of-war between viable divestment routes, writes Emanuel Eftimiu
Novartis Ventures et al. in £8.65m round for ITS
Novartis Ventures, Sweden’s HealthCap, France’s Truffle Capital and London Technology Fund, have participated in a £8.65m funding round for British biotech company Immune Targeting Systems (ITS).
Trimming down: Northzone reflects new reality for venture funds
While the newly-launched Northzone fund is in many ways a rare success for European venture fundraising in the current market, its modest target reflects the continuing difficulties in securing commitments. By Rikke Eckhoff.
Advent et al lead $1.1bn Skillsoft LBO
A private equity consortium including Berkshire Partners, Advent International and Bain Capital has agreed to acquire Irish e-learning software maker SkillSoft Plc, in an all-cash deal valued at $1.1bn.
The only way is up: new poll reveals strong optimism for 2010
Most readers are optimistic for the year ahead - but cynics have good cause for concern. By Kimberly Romaine.
Investec Private Bank provides £8m loan to DFJ Espirit
Investec Private Bank has provided an £8.2m loan to Encore Ventures, a division of venture firm DFJ Espirit.
Bencis acquires Saval and Knowsley from Imtech
Bencis Capital Partners has acquired extinguishing systems specialists Saval and Knowsley from parent company Imtech.
Beringea further invests £800,000 in Eagle Rock
Beringea has further invested £800,000 in music publishing company Eagle Rock Entertainment in a second round of funding.
Apax, Permira-backed New Look abandons plans for IPO
Apax and Permira-backed New Look, the fashion retailer, has postponed its plans to launch an IPO due to "considerable volatility in the equity markets".
3i completes exit of Telecity; reaps 5x return
3i has sold its remaining 16.5% stake in listed Telecity Group, a provider of premium network independent data centres, at a price of 345p, realising proceeds of £111m.
Maven backs £5.5m take private of LitComp
Maven Capital Partners has backed the public-to-private acquisition of AIM-listed LitComp Plc, the insurance business, in a £5.48m deal.
Electra Partners backs £270m buyout of esure
Electra Partners, together with limited partner Penta Capital, have backed the buyout of esure in a deal valued at around £270m, acquiring Lloyds Banking Group's 70% stake.
Q&A: Intermediate on high ground
Deborah Sterescu speaks to Christophe Evain, managing director of ICG, on expectations for recovery and why high-yield is not a long-term threat for mezzanine.
Matalan drops potential sale process
British discount retailer Matalan, which had attracted the likes of CVC, TPG, Blackstone, Advent International and BC Partners, has taken itself off the sale block.
Hygea et al invest £2.7m in Glide Pharma
Existing investors Hygea VCT and Oxford Technology VCT have further invested in drug company Glide Pharma as part of a £2.7m fourth round of funding, alongside Oxford Capital Partners and private backers.
YFM-backed Fishawack acquires Nexus Communications
YFM has injected fresh capital to support portfolio company Fishawack Communications, the medical PR company, in its acquisition of US-based Nexus Communications.