UK / Ireland
Don't bank on it
Banks holding equity, pension funds lending money, forward start facilities - this is today's leverage market
UK - MVM buys stake in Alliance Pharma Plc
MVM Life Science Partners has acquired just over 9% of AIM-listed pharmaceutical company Alliance Pharma Plc.
UK - SVG shareholders surprised by Williams departure
According to reports the news that SVG Advisers CEO Andrew Williams is to step down, which was announced publicly yesterday when the firm released its 2008 results, has angered SVG Capital shareholders, who had not been warned of his departure.
UK - LDC and Advent merge portfolio companies in £72m deal
LDC and Advent Venture Partners have merged their respective portfolio companies Snell & Wilcox and Pro-Bel, both broadcasting technology providers, in a deal valued at around £72m.
UK - SVG moves office
SVG Capital has moved offices as of 06 March 2009.
UK - SVG announces two-thirds fall in value
SVG Capital has announced its end-year 2008 results, revealing a drop in NAV of more than 64%. The listed fund has also announced that Andrew Williams, CEO of SVG Advisers, is to step down.
UK - PIF supports MG Electrical
Partnership Investment Finance (PIF), managed by YFM Venture Finance, has supported MG Electrical, a manufacturer of energy-saving lighting products, with a £60,000 loan.
UK - MMC invests 500,000 into Ibis Project Services
MMC Ventures has invested a further £500,000 in consultancy business Ibis Project Services Ltd.
UK - Warburg invests £64m into Premier Foods
Warburg Pincus has committed to a firm placing of £64m into Premier Foods, the listed owner of brands such as Hovis bread, Cadbury and Branston.
UK - Foresight invests £5m into Vertal
Foresight Group has backed waste management business Vertal with an investment of £5m.
UK - IQ and DN invest £1.8m into Dezineforce
IQ Capital and DN Capital, alongside several private individuals, have provided the second tranche of a £1.8m series-A funding round for web-based engineering design services business Dezineforce.
UK - Risk Capital closes first fund on £75m
Risk Capital Partners has held a final close of its inaugural institutional fund on £75m.
UK - Octopus completes £2.65m CSL refinancing
Octopus Investments has refinanced alarm systems supplier CSL Dualcom Ltd, providing a £2.65m interest-only term loan.
UK - New group Rockley launches EUR 100m fund
Rockley Group, a new technology-focused investor founded by two established business angels, has launched its inaugural third party fund, Rockley Follow-On Fund, which will have a target of EUR 100m.
GLOBAL - Blackstone writes down fifth fund by 35%
According to reports, Blackstone Group has written down the value of the portfolio in its $21bn fifth fund, Blackstone Capital Partners V, by 35%.
UK/SWITZERLAND – Index promotes three
Index Ventures has announced the promotions of Ben Holmes to partner and Tony Zappala and Roman Fleck to principal.
UK - Terra Firma writes down EMI investment
Terra Firma Capital Partners has reportedly written off around EUR 1.39bn from two of its investments, with music group EMI thought to be primarily responsible for the loss.
UK - HarbourVest hires McCrystal
HarbourVest Global Private Equity has hired Amanda McCrystal as head of investor relations and communications.
UK - Beringea invests £2.4m into Fjord
Beringea has invested £2.4m into digital marketing business Fjord, alongside investment bank GP Bullhound, which invested £250,000.
UK - Oxford Capital et al invest in Exosect
Oxford Capital Partners, the Entrepreneurs Fund and WHEB Ventures have further supported pest management solution company Exosect with an undisclosed sum.
UK - Enterprise Ventures leads Ensembli funding
Enterprise Ventures (EV), through the RisingStars Growth Fund II, has invested an undisclosed sum into software business Ensembli, alongside South Yorkshire Investment Fund's Seedcorn Fund and The Viking Fund.