United Kingdom
Graphite Capital exits Willowbrook
Graphite Capital has sold its majority stake in Willowbrook Healthcare, an owner of care homes for the elderly, to the company's management.
Maven invests £2m in Calnex through SLF
Maven Capital Partners has invested ТЃ2m in Linlithgow-based Calnex Solutions through the Scottish Loan Fund (SLF).
LDC sells Avelo for £210m
LDC has sold financial services software company Avelo to Iress, an Australian financial services technology specialist, for ТЃ210m.
White & Case hires Allardice from Kirkland & Ellis
Ross Allardice, White & Case
Better Capital hires Richard Favier
Richard Favier, Better Capital
Investec funds 2M's acquisition of ChlorVinyls arm
Investec Growth and Acquisition Finance has provided follow-on funding to client 2M Group for the acquisition of the packed chlorine branch of ChlorVinyls.
Piper acquires Orlebar Brown
Consumer brands investor Piper has acquired a majority stake in luxury menswear clothing company Orlebar Brown.
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.
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.
BGF appoints former bankers Widdall and Norman
Matt Widdall, BGF
Umbrella services: Q&A with Lawson Conner
This month saw the foundation of the UK Compliance and Regulatory Association (UKCRA). Alice Murray speaks to regulatory services business Lawson Conner, one of the founding members, about how the new entity can guide the asset class through the complex...
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.
Graphite tucks into Hawksmoor
Graphite Capital has succeeded in its bid to acquire Hawksmoor, supporting the high-end steak restaurant group's management buyout.