UK Unquote
Little Chef sold to Kuwait-based KFG
Roadside restaurant chain Little Chef has been sold by turnaround investment firm Rcapital to Kuwait-based Kout Food Group (KFG).
Private equity-backed tech firms more likely to succeed
An extensive study of high-growth technology start-ups has found those backed by private equity and business angels are more successful than those financed with bank loans.
Theo Fennell board recommends EME offer
EME Capital has finally had its offer for AIM-listed high-end jewellery company Theo Fennell recommended by the board.
New Rentokil boss to push non-core sell-offs
A changing of the guard at Rentokil Initial will see the listed firm focusing on its core divisions of pest control, cleaning and laundry service, resulting in opportunities for private equity.
Investcorp buys snack manufacturer Tyrrells for £100m
Investcorp has acquired Tyrrells Potato Crisps, a UK-based manufacturer of crisps and snacks, from Langholm Capital for ТЃ100m.
Synova acquires Mandata
Synova Capital has acquired Mandata, a provider of software-as-a-service (SaaS) to the haulage and logistics market in the UK.
ECI's Chris Warren to join Charterhouse
ECI partner Chris Warren will join private equity firm Charterhouse in the autumn.
Axa PE and Aena acquire London Luton Airport
Axa Private Equity, via its third infrastructure fund and alongside Spanish airport operator Aena, has acquired London Luton Airport from TBI, a company owned by CVC-backed Abertis, for ТЃ394.4m.
Acromas results spur further split speculation
Acromas, comprising AA and Saga and backed by CVC, Charterhouse and Permira, has reported a 4.9% uplift in EBITDA, reawakening speculation over how its financial backers will exit the business.
ECI reaps 4.5x on Bargain Booze IPO
ECI Partners has reaped a 4.5x money multiple on its full exit from Bargain Booze, which listed on the AIM this morning under its holding company, Conviviality Retail.
Alternative lenders outpace Business Bank
The UK governmentтs Business Bank has dished out only ТЃ300m in SME loans since inception, compared with ТЃ345m provided by alternative lenders in short-term secured loans.
Finance Wales teams up with Fusion to back university tech spinouts
Finance Wales and Fusion IP, a university commercialisation company, have signed a memorandum enabling financial support for university high-tech spinouts.
BGF appoints former bankers Widdall and Norman
Matt Widdall, BGF
Octopus leads £3.7m investment in Amplience
Octopus Investment, joined by existing shareholders as well as new investor Northstar Ventures, has led a ТЃ3.7m series-B funding round for e-commerce technology company Amplience.
Endless's Karro secures £60m refinancing package from GE
Karro Food Group has received a ТЃ60m funding package from GE Capital just six months after Endless acquired the company.
Darwin PE backs £11m Esendex MBO
Darwin Private Equity has acquired UK-based Esendex, a provider of short message service (SMS) solutions for businesses, in an ТЃ11m management buyout led by the companyтs newly-promoted CEO.
Midven backs Learning Labs
Midven has invested ТЃ300,000 in Learning Labs' language learning product FlashSticks, which uses 3Mтs Post-it notes.
Imperial et al. back Polytherics and Antitope merger
Imperial Innovations, Mercia Fund Management, Catapult Venture Managers and Invesco Perpetual have provided ТЃ13.5m for the takeover of Antitope by UK-based biotechnology firm Polytherics.
Mobeus supports Veritek MBO
Mobeus Equity Partners has backed the ТЃ11m management buyout of Veritek Global, a provider of technical services.
Graphite tucks into Hawksmoor
Graphite Capital has succeeded in its bid to acquire Hawksmoor, supporting the high-end steak restaurant group's management buyout.
Finance Yorkshire exits S3 ID
Finance Yorkshire, via its Finance Yorkshire Equity Fund, has divested its 25% stake in UK-based S3 ID to CSE Global, reaping a 2.2x money multiple in a trade sale that values the company at ТЃ10m.
VC-backed Wonga in battle with C of E
The Archbishop of Canterbury has told the boss of Wonga, backed by a consortium of venture capital firms, that the Church of England plans to force it out of business, according to reports.
Smedvig Capital backs legal services firm
Smedvig Capital has invested ТЃ4m in Kings Court Trust.
Index et al. back Wool And The Gang with $2.8m
UK-based knitwear e-commerce company Wool And The Gang has raised $2.8m from Index Ventures, Wellington Partners and MMC Ventures.