News
UK - Benson Elliot Capital appoints new partner in the firm
Benson Elliot Capital Management, which was recently launched by former Doughty Hanson Real Estate head, Marc Mogull, has announced the appointment of Philip Irons as a new partner in the firm. He will be given primary responsibility for overseeing private...
AUSTRIA - gcp portfolio company branches out
RFID-based tracking and tracing specialist Identec Solutions, a gamma capital partners portfolio investment, has acquired Baumer Ident GmbH. Baumer is a global manufacturer of industrial auto-ID systems and is currently headquartered in Weinheim Switzerland....
FRANCE - Pharmaceutical R&D firm get EUR 1m
CIC Vizille Capital Innovation (CIC Vizille CI) and Sudinnova have led a first round of financing for pharmaceutical R&D laboratory, Transmedi, together contributing 70% of the EUR 1m injected. The balance is provided by regional investor Institut Lorrain...
SWEDEN - Industrifonden to open Gothenburg office
Industrifonden will open a new office in Gothenburg in August to increase its presence on the West coast of Sweden. Thomas Carlström, one of the group's most experienced investment managers, will work there four days a week.
UK - Lion Capital to acquire La Senza
Lion Capital LLP has signed an agreement to acquire La Senza Ltd by the end of next week. La Senza is a UK and European leader in specialty retail of womenтs lingerie and nightwear.
FRANCE - Jaques-Philippe Gunther to join Willkie Farr & Gallagher
Willkie Farr & Gallagher has today announced the appointment of Jaques-Philippe Gunther as an associate, and will be joined by David Tayar who will join the European Counsel.
UK - Goldman Sachs head of European private equity step down
The Financial Times reports today that Richard Sharp, head of European private equity at Goldman Sachs, is to step down at the end of the year.
UK - Ernst & Young appoints four new partners to private equity team
Ernst & Young has boosted its private equity team with the appointment of four new partners according to Accountancy Age. John van Rossen has joined the firm from KPMG and Michel Driessen as formerly at Fijitsu Siemens. The latter will lead E&Y's operational...
UK - Premier Foods looks likely contender for Campbell's Soup business
As the results of the auction for the UK and Irish businesses of Campbell's Soup are awaited, Premier Foods has revealed bouyant trading in its convenience food range.
UK - Private equity bids for GUS divisions
GUS has decided to stick with its plan of demerging its marketing and information services arm from its retail division despite private equity bids for the whole group, according to the Times today. The bid for the whole group would value it at ТЃ11.7bn....
UK - Northern Venture Managers invests in property management services
Northern Venture Managers (NVM) has provided Touchstone Asset Management with development capital to acquire Castle Estates and Calbarrie (together the Castle group). This combination will create a leading property management services provider in an exciting...
UK - HgCapital sells Castlebeck for £255m
HgCapital today announced the sale of Castlebeck to Castle Holdings Ltd, a Jersey-registered company associated with Barchester Healthcare group, the leading quality private healthcare provider for ТЃ255m.
UK - Doughty Hanson to sell off remaining stake in RHM
After floating RHM last year, Doughty Hanson is to realise its remaining 26.6% stake in the business.
UK - Candover to take DX Services private
The business to business mail services provider DX Services is to be delisted following an offer made by a vehicle owned by Candover Partners.
SWEDEN - Altor acquires PIAB
Altor Fund II has signed an agreement to acquire the Swedish vacuum technology company, PIAB Invest AB from the Tell family. Altor are aiming to significantly expand the company within the next few years as they will now have the required capital and...
BELGIUM - KBC invests in Intek
KBC Private Equity has invested EUR 1m via its KBC Arkiv fund in Intek, a company specialised in the production and distribution of electronic locks. The transaction was privately sourced and completed at the beginning of July.
NL- KBC acquires 35% stake in Afa Polytek
KBC Private Equity has acquired a 35% stake in Afa Polytek BV and its affiliated companies, collectively called the Afa Group.
UK - ABN AMRO Capital acquires Volution from Montagu Private Equity
ABN AMRO Capital has agreed to acquire Volution Holdings Ltd from Montagu Private Equity with the transaction expected to complete in August 2006.
GERMANY - 3i and Creathor acquire Accovion
3i and Creathor have wholly acquired Accovion AG from Sanofi-Aventis. Accovion was spun out from Aventis' departments for clinical research, biological statistics and drug monitoring. 3i financed the 2001 spin-out with a significant minority participation....
SPAIN - Candover set to buy Applus +
According to reports in the Spanish press, Candover Partners has signed an agreement to buy Applus + from its shareholders Aguas de Barcelona, Unión Fenosa and Caja Madrid, for EUR 915m.
FRANCE - Médica France sold by Bridgepoint to BC Partners
BC Partners has agreed to acquire Médica France, one of the country's largest nursing home groups, for EUR 750m. BC Partners alongside AXA Private Equity have backed the management of Médica allowing Bridgepoint and AlpInvest to exit having held the company...
GERMANY - Auctus acquires Aluminium smelting specialist
Auctus Management has acquired aluminium smelting specialist ZPF therm GmbH. Financial details have not been disclosed, but the buy and build specialist will consider strategic add-on acquisitions. BW Bank provided debt financing for the transaction....
UK - Private equity set to acquire Hard Rock Cafe
According to reports in the Financial Times today, the Rank Group is conducting a review of its Hard Rock Cafe business with the help of Merrill Lynch.
UK - BDO Stoy Hayward appoints new partner to private equity team
BDO Stoy Hayward is continuing to strengthen its private equity service specialism with the appointment of a new partner, Mark OтLeary. He joins from Baker Tilly where he developed and led their Private Equity Transaction Support service.