Infrastructure
Essent Milieu auction scrapped
It is understood that Essent has decided against the sale of its waste management division, Essent Milieu, stating that the offers were too low.
UK - Impax appoints managing director
Renewable energy-focused investor Impax Asset Management has hired Daniel von Preyss as managing director of private equity for the Impax New Energy Investors LP fund (NEI).
NORDIC - The winner takes it all
"There will be winners and losers coming out of this recession," said 3i partner Alan MacKay, speaking today at the Nordic unquote" Private Equity Congress in Stockholm, adding that finding new financing solutions today will be what separates the wheat...
UK/GERMANY - Freshfields appoints heads of ENR sector group
Freshields Bruckhaus Deringer has appointed London-based partner Laurie McFadden and Hamburg-based partner Dirk Hamann as joint heads of the firm's energy and natural resources (ENR) sector group.
SPAIN - N+1-backed Eolia sells wind farms to RWE
According to reports, N+1-backed Eolia Renovables has agreed to sell its 49% stake in three wind farms in Soria to co-owner RWE.
UK - CGC buys Pragma and Real Time in £27.8m deal
Close Growth Capital (CGC) has backed the £28m management buyout of Pragma and Real Time, the UK IT services businesses of Sword Group Plc, the listed French IT company. Scottish Enterprise, Clysedale Bank and management also invested.
The solar system
Of the various technologies that make up the renewable energy sector, it is solar that absorbs the most capital. European and government incentives make it an attractive investment for both GPs and banks despite the economic slowdown. By Francinia Protti-Alvarez
Rubbish deals
Prior to Lehman's collapse, the environment was one of the main issues on many government agendas. With dealflow all but dried up owing to financing difficulties, waste management stands out as a defensive sector
Buyout focus - Southern European sunshine
As Europe licks its fresh wounds, Italy and Portugal are making hey, but can the sunshine last in Southern Europe or will the storm clouds from the rest of Europe blow in? By Francinia Protti-Alvarez
EUROPE - 3i Infrastructure stays solid
Following the stark pre-close period statement released by 3i Group plc yesterday the firm's infrastructure arm published a contrastingly bright statement today, revealing steady investment activity and strong performance.
Southern Europe Sunshine
As Europe licks its fresh wounds Italy and Portugal are making hey, but can the sunshine last in Southern Europe or will the storm clouds from the rest of Europe blow in? By Francinia Protti-Alvarez
Of timing and opportunity
The market has ground to a halt. In the UK, deal flow has almost halved from a year ago to just 20-25 deals a month nowadays. But this hides the fact that a strong undercurrent lies beneath. Everyone is busy, trimming down costs, refinancing, reorganising;...
EUROPE - 3i sells stake in Infrastructure
Listed private equity firm 3i has reduced its stake in its infrastructure fund to a third after selling 77 million shares. The placing raised £61m towards the £2bn debt pile the investor has accrued; half of which is due in the next three years.
EUROPE - 3i appoints Hogg managing partner, Infrastructure
Following the announcement that Michael Queen will replace Philip Yea as CEO of listed private equity heavyweight 3i, the firm has appointed Cressida Hogg to replace him as managing partner of its infrastructure business.
Evolving infrastructure
In recent years the amount of capital being raised for dedicated infrastructure funds has risen substantially and the sector has emerged into a major new area for investment. With raising and deploying capital in the traditional LBO market becoming increasingly...
UK - 3i-led consortium to bid for Gatwick
According to reports, a consortium led by 3i and two Canadian pension funds is among at least five groups set to present their non-binding offers to Ferrovial for Gatwick airport, with analysts suggesting that the airport could be valued at £2bn.
UK - BIIF acquires Infrastructure Investors
Barclays Integrated Infrastructure Fund (BIIF), a new fund managed by Barclays Private Equity, has acquired Infrastructure Investors, a portfolio of 84 investments in operational PFI/PPP projects, for £558.6m.