News
GERMANY - HSH Nordbank to reduce credit investment portfolio
HSH Nordbank, in which JC Flowers holds a 26.6% stake, has announced plans to dispose of its leasing business and leveraged buy-out operations outside Germany in order to boost profitability.
NETHERLANDS - AAC-backed Baarsma acquires Armit
AAC Capital portfolio company Baarsma Wine Group Holding, a wine distribution company, has acquired UK-based rival Armit.
ITALY - Cape invests EUR 10m into Fratelli Zappalà
Cape has invested EUR 10m in dairy firm Fratelli Zappalà, taking a significant minority stake in the business. The transaction was carried out via three of Cape’s funds, including Cape Regione Siciliana.
GLOBAL - Lehman Brothers restructures management team
Lehman Brothers is restructuring its management team, appointing Eric Felder and Hyung Soon Lee as global co-heads of fixed income to replace Andrew Morton, who is leaving the firm after just seven months in the position.
SPAIN - Hutton Collins-backed Futura resumes operations
Report suggest that Spanish charter carrier Futura International Airways, which is backed by Hutton Collins, has resumed flights after seeking bankruptcy protection.
CEE - Nexus launches venture fund
According to reports, Croatia-based Nexus Private Equity Partneri has launched a new venture fund, Nexus Alpha.
UK - Lucite receives USD 2bn offers
Charterhouse Capital Partners-backed Lucite International, a manufacturer of acrylic products, has received two offers worth around USD 2bn from Japan and Saudi Arabia.
FRANCE - Inserm Transfert et al invest EUR 800,000 into DNA Therapeutics
A syndicate of investors comprising Inserm Transfert Initiative, G1J Ile de France, Blue Medical Investment and a group of international business angels have invested EUR 800,000 in DNA Therapeutics, a developer of innovative medicines in oncology, in...
SWEDEN - Herkules acquires Gothia division for NOK 910m
Herkules Capital has acquired the administrative and financial services division of Gothia Financial Group ASA for NOK 910m from a consortium of investors.
FRANCE - Innovacom et al invest EUR 7m in Active Circle
Returning investor Innovacom has led a EUR 7m second round of investment into Active Circle, a technology solutions company, alongside OTC and Quest for Growth.
UK - Goldman Sachs appoints Allen as adviser
Goldman Sachs Capital Partners has appointed Charles Allen, former chief executive of ITV, as a senior adviser.
FINLAND - Eco-site receives funding from Seed Fund Vera
Seed Fund Vera has invested in One did it Ltd, an online provider of information relating to sustainable consumption. The investment sum has not been disclosed, but it is estimated to be between EUR 100,000 and EUR 250,000.
UK - DFJ hires venture partner
DFJ Esprit has hired William Reeves as venture partner in its London office.
GLOBAL - Bear Stearns Private Equity re-brands
Bear Stearns Private Equity Ltd will change its name to JP Morgan Private Equity Ltd (JPEL).
UK - Dunedin hires analyst
Dunedin has hired Simon Rowan as analyst.
UK/NETHERLANDS – Apollo joins bidding for Reed
Apollo, alongside former non-executive director Strauss Zelnick, have jointly made a bid for publisher Reed Elsevier’s business information division.
UK - Sofinnova backs mydeco in £7.35m investment
Sofinnova Partners has led a £7.35m second round of funding for mydeco, an online intermediary for the home design market, alongside SRPE, Amadeus Captial Partners and Burda Cross Media.
FINLAND - Profita Group acquires Häggblom-companies
Profita Group has acquired a majority stake in Häggblom-companies, a manufacturer of undercarriages and spare parts for earth-moving machines, for an undisclosed sum.
SWEDEN - Primaca Group completes EUR 15m Metso acquisition
Primaca Group has bought Metso Foundries Karlstad AB, a manufacturer of large, hand-molded iron castings, for EUR 15m from Metso Corporation. The vendor will retain a 16.7% stake in the new company, Heavycast AB.
EUROPE - Fortis launches EUR 400m clean energy fund
Fortis Investment has launched a new EUR 400m fund dedicated to investments in clean energy companies in Europe.
SWEDEN - GP Bullhound recruits two
Investment bank GP Bullhound has hired Andreas Zartmann as director and Carl Bergholtz as analyst.
UK - Azini acquires Lynx Capital Ventures
Azini 1 has acquired the 85% interest owned by Bear Stearns Capital in Lynx Capital Ventures LP, as well the entire share capital of Lynx Capital Ventures GP Ltd from Bear Stearns Asset Management.
SWEDEN - Volati acquires Sandberg
Volati has acquired the Swedish engineering firm Ragnar Sandberg & Söner Mekaniska Verkstad for an undisclosed sum from the Sandberg family.
SWITZERLAND - Atlas et al invest in Lumavita
Atlas Ventures, BB Biotech Ventures and BioMedInvest have invested CHF 18m in biopharmaceutical company Lumavita AG.