News
UK - MPs comment on capital gains tax at BVCA spinout conference
Charles Hendry MP, the Conservative Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform today labelled the approach taken by the government to capital gains tax as "damaging to the country's entrepreneurial spirit." Dr Vince Clarke...
ITALY - Giochi Preziosi contemplates exit strategies
Although 3i was said to be preparing the IPO of toy manufacturer Giochi Preziosi for the end of H1 2008, market reports suggest that the buyout house may be looking to divest sooner than planned.
GERMANY - HAARMANN bolsters private equity team
HAARMANN has appointed Klaus Mohr as a new partner to its M&A and private equity team.
NETHERLANDS - Englefield Capital acquires Mirror Control International
Englefield Capital has acquired Mirror Control International (MCI), the mirror control division of Eaton Automotive. Landsbanki provided Englefield Capital with a financing package worth $122m.
UK - NBGI completes £20m food service buyout
NBGI Private Equity has completed the £20m management buyout of Peter's Food Service Ltd, a manufacturer and food service distributor of chilled savoury pastry products, from its private vendors. The deal represents the group's first from its second...
UK - NewMedia SPARK rebrands as SPARK Ventures
NewMedia SPARK Plc, the AIM-quoted venture capital investor, has announced the re-branding of the business as SPARK Ventures Plc. The change reflects the expansion of SPARK’s investment management skills beyond the ‘new media’ sector, to include...
UK/EUROPE - Bank of Scotland merges UK and European leverage finance teams
Bank of Scotland Corporate has merged its UK structured finance and acquisition finance teams with its European leveraged finance business to create a single leveraged finance business that will operate on a pan-European basis.
SWITZERLAND - 3i floats u-blox on Swiss Stock Exchange
3i has floated portfolio company u-blox at an issue price of CHF 51 on the Swiss Stock Exchange. The total value of the offering was approximately CHF135.6m. Based on the issue price u-blox has a market capitalisation of approximately CHF 318.4m.
UK - WHEB Ventures appoints new investment analyst
WHEB Ventures, a venture capital firm focussed on the European clean technology sector, has announced the appointment of Megan Bingham-Walker as investment analyst.
FRANCE - Iris Capital makes 3.3x from sale of FastBooking to 3i and EdRIP
Iris Capital has made more than 3x its money following its exit from hotel bookings website FastBooking, in a deal valuing the business at EUR 45m.
FRANCE - OFI Private Equity Capital creates Transatlantic industrial sealing business
After backing the secondary buyout of Houston-headquartered Flexitallic from US private equity firm Cravey Green and Whalen, OFI Pivate Equity Capital (OFI PEC), intends to merge the entity with its French protfolio company Siem Supramite.
UK - Smedvig portfolio company appoints new CEO
Smedvig Capital Portfolio company SUSO Drinks Ltd has appointed Sean Uprichard as CEO.
UK - DFJ portfolio company secures $40m funding round
DFJ Espirit portfolio company diagnostics company Oxford Immunotec has completed the first stage of $40m series-E funding round.
ITALY - Cavalli considers private equity alliance
Roberto Cavalli is said to be considering the possibility of a partnership with a private equity firm.
UK - Noble and Co appoints director
Independant investment bank Noble and Company has announced the appointment of Daniel Confino as director.
ITALY - Alto Partners sells 30% of its management company
Mid-market firm Alto Partners has sold a minority stake of around 30% of its share capital to a group of new strategic shareholders, including industrial groups, family offices and entrepreneurs.
UK - Bridges boosts Credential with £6m investment
Bridges Ventures has committed £6m to support the growth of tyre reprocessing company Credential Environmental Ltd. Bridges has taken a minority stake in the company. The transaction includes an initial £4m investment, with a further £2m allocated...
UK - SVG Capital joins iPEIT
SVG Capital has joined iPEIT, the Initiative for Private Equity Investment Trusts, a group of 10 UK-listed private equity funds. iPEIT was launched in Septmeber 2006 with the goal of raising the profile and increasing the understanding of listed private...
GERMANY - Cerberus sizing up Deutsche Woolworth
According to German press, US investor Cerberus Capital Management is looking to buy retailing group Deutsche Woolworth from Electra Private Equity. Electra bought the company in 1998. Deutsche Woolworth operates a total of 330 outlets in Germany and...
UK - LK Bennett next private equity target
Luxury fashion chain LK Bennett is the next retailer likely to be acquired by private equity. The 74-store strong business is wholly owned by its founder and is expected to have a price tag of approximately £150m. Rothschild has been retained to facilitate...
UK - TA Associates backs SBO of M and M from ECI
TA Associates has backed the secondary management buyout of sports mail order company M and M Direct Ltd from ECI Partners. ECI backed the buyout of M and M in 2004 since when sales have grown at 18% per annum to £80m and profits at 28% per annum. Terms...
UK - Nova completes £75m acquisition of international laboratory group
Nova Capital Management has completed the £75m acquisition of international laboratory group Barloworld Scientific Laboratory Group (BSLG) from Barloworld Ltd, a South African-listed industrial company.
EUROPE - NEXT WEEK: Nordic unquote” Congress & Awards
Join unquote” next Tuesday evening in Stockholm for the second annual Nordic Private Equity Awards. The event brings together industry luminaries to celebrate innovation and accomplishment in the Nordic private equity market. Places are still available...
ITALY - Finlombarda invests EUR 1m in biotech business
Finlombarda Gestioni has invested EUR 1m in TOP srl, a spinout of the University of Milan.