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Hope hangs on VC deals as Ukrainian buyouts disappear
Positive trends in growth deals driven by interest in the software and IT sectors
Deal in Focus: Chequers exits Provalliance group
Hair salon business Provalliance generates €1.2bn in revenues serving 35 million customers per year
Fund in Focus: Citizen closes second fund on €43m
Final close comes after two years on the road for the GP's second venture vehicle
Packaging sector poised to secure status as PE pillar stone
Resilient nature of the sector and plentiful supply of consolidation opportunities could lead to a resurgence in activity
KWM's PE practice founder Jonathan Blake joins O'Melveny
Departure marks the latest in a series of partners to leave the embattled law firm
PE's balancing act: LP appetite remains strong despite challenges
Part two of our Q&A session with PE experts from across the market with discussion centring on fundraising, co-investment and Brexit
From turmoil come treasures: Mapping out PE's road ahead
A panel of private equity experts from across the market discuss developments from 2016 and the outlook for the year ahead
In Profile: Rutland Partners
GP most famous for rescuing Pizza Hut talks to unquote" and explains the importance of co-investment in its Maplin deal
Graphite reaps 3.7x on £215m sale of MTS to Sumitomo
Trade sale is the latest in a series of high profile PE divestments of UK assets to international buyers
The must-read stories of 2016
unquote" looks back on a tumultuous 2016, rife with momentous events but also clear opportunities for the industry to shine
unquote" data snapshot: largest buyout fundraises of 2016
Though the number of €1bn+ funds to hold final closes fell in 2016, a number of large-cap players remained active on the fundraising front
Deal in Focus: Astorg sells Kerneos to Imerys for €880m
Sale of the specialised chemicals company follows a three-year holding period in which the group invested in new ventures and made bolt-ons
In Profile: Lyceum Capital
GP has deployed 70% of its third fund and will start raising its fourth in 2017
unquote” data snapshot: the five biggest buyouts of 2016
The year’s two largest deals, somewhat unusually, took place in Italy and Poland
In Profile: HIG Europe
GP has been particularly active in 2016, completing five exits and two buyouts, with two further deals in the pipeline
Benelux dealflow all but freezes over in H2
Despite a solid H1, deal volume plummets in second half of 2016, though average ticket size rises
GP Profile: Inflexion Private Equity
As part of our In Profile series, unquote" takes a look at the GP's busy 2016 and rapid-fire fundraises
Southern European activity fails to replicate 2015 surge
Italian private equity continues to dominate southern Europe, though the Iberian peninsula continues its recovery
Mega-deals cap good year in CEE
Region registers two €500m-plus deals in the final quarter of a strong year for private equity
DACH buyouts on the rise throughout 2016
Despite low dealflow, the region saw an increase in buyouts during the course of the year, as aggregate value remained resolute
UK debt market rebounds in response to lower yields
Debt volumes were up 9% in Q3 2016 as lower yields prompt wave of recaps and refinancings
Investec unearths PE succession contradictions
Perceived importance placed on succession planning by GPs is not always mirrored by firms' approaches to transitioning control
French PE sees higher valuations in 2016 as dealflow drops
Increased competition and readily available debt lead to multiples creeping up in the country
In Profile: ECI Partners
As part of our In Profile series, unquote" speaks to managing partner David Ewing about deploying the GP's 10th fund and debt-market developments