News
GERMANY - Blackstone plans Deutsche Telekom takeover
According to press reports, the US private equity group, Blackstone is planning to raise a EUR 60bn fund by the end of 2006 in order to launch a full takeover bid for Deutsche Telekom by the beginning of 2007. This takeover would reduce KfW’s stake in...
UK - Healthcare due diligence specialists join KPMG
Three experienced commercial due diligence specialists have joined KPMG to strengthen its healthcare advisory service to the private sector. The appointments mean that KPMGтs traditional offering will now be complemented with a team offering commercial...
SWEDEN - ABN AMRO plans buy-and-build strategy as Loparex acquires Douglas-Hanson
ABN AMRO Capital has announced that its portfolio company Loparex will acquire Douglas-Hanson, a leading supplier of film and paper-based release liners.
UK - PwC appoints new head of corporate finance
PricewaterhouseCoopers has named Neil Sutton as its new head of corporate finance. A partner since 1993, he will start in his new role from 1 July 2006. Sutton has most recently led the consumer sector focus in the UK. In the last four years, he has almost...
FINLAND - Manne Airaksinen to join Roschier Holmberg
Leading Finnish corporate law expert Manne Airaksinen is set to join Roschier Holmberg’s corporate advisory and disputes practice group this September. He is best known for his role in drafting the new Finnish Companies Act and will strengthen the corporate...
FRANCE - FPG-LFPI buys Brittany biscuit maker
Lazard's private equity fund managers FPG-LFPI have acquired 100% of Traou Mad.
UK - Barclays Ventures makes 3.6x on sale of Enigma Holidays to ISIS
The sale of Enigma Holidays Ltd to ISIS represents an exit for Barclays Ventures. The ТЃ22m deal generated a money multiple of 3.6x for Barclays Ventures.
UK - Setanta wins PGA golf tour coverage from BSkyB
The Irish broadcaster Setanta Sports has won the contract to screen the PGA golf tour for the next six years, displacing Sky. Earlier this year it paid EUR 571m for the rights to screen the Premiership from 2007, the PGA deal was significantly less costly,...
FRANCE - Chinese motorcycle importer gets EUR 400,000 backing
Sigma gestion, Champagne Ardenne Croissance (CAC) and Auxitex have injected EUR 400,000 in Sidam.
FINLAND - CapMan and Helmet exit Kultajousi
CapMan and Helmet Capital, the joint owners of the jewellery retailer Kultajousi Oy, have sold their entire holding in Kultajousi’s parent company Goldhold Oy. CapMan funds’ 40% holding and Helmet Capital funds’ 11% holding have been sold to the Iduna...
NORWAY - NORWAY-FSV V acquires 14 unlisted holdings from Aggregate Media I KB & II NORDIC KB
FSV V has acquired a portfolio of 14 unlisted holdings from Aggregate Media I KB & NORDIC KB, in line with its strategy to become leading portfolio acquirer in the Nordic region.
FRANCE - Crédit Agricole Private Equity takes 20% of Multitec
Crédit Agricole Private Equity (CAPE) has acquired a 20% equity stake in Montpellier-based Mutlitec.
UK - ISIS backs secondary MBO of Enigma Holidays Group
ISIS Equity Partners has backed the secondary management buy-out of Enigma Holidays Group Ltd, which trades as Esprit Ski and Total Ski. Together they are the UKтs leading specialist ski operator, providing both family skiing as well as a range of quality...
FRANCE - Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw recruitsGuillaume Kuperfils
Guillaume Kuperfils will be joining Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw as an associate, specialising in the area of mergers and acquisitions. He will be focusing on advising on expansion and buyout investment funds.
FRANCE - AXA Private Equity takes part in Eurotunnel refinancing
AXA Private Equity has announced its participation in the financial restructuring of France-UK rail link operator, Eurotunnel.
UK - Permira to make late entry bid for De Vere Group?
According to the Times today Permira is to make a late entry into the bidding for De Vere Group, the operator of the Village Hotels & Leisure Clubs brand and the Greens health club. The board of the group has already recommended an offer from Richard...
UK - Catalyst expands its research team
Catalyst Corporate Finance has expanded its knowledge team with the recruitment of two specialist researchers. The first new recruit is Paul Chapman, head of research, who brings over 15 years of research experience into the team, including roles with...
GERMANY - bmp AG sells shares in eprofessional GmbH to ZANOX.de
Berlin-based bmp AG has announced the sale of its 25.5% holding in eprofessional GmbH to Zanox.de for a sum of EUR 4m. The proceeds from this transaction, including the repayment of a silent partnership, will result in a seven figure profit for bmp.
FRANCE - Michel Maupu to join 3i France
Michel Maupu is to join 3i France as senior advisor of the investment team, which is managed by Guy Zarzavatdjian
FINLAND - Kari Ståhlberg joins Finnish Industry Investment
Finnish Industry Investment has announced the appointment of Kari Ståhlberg, MSc, CEFA, to its capital investment team as investment manager.
FINLAND - Beneq closes first funding round on EUR 1m
Beneq has secured funding from Holtron and a group of private investors, with a venture capital investment of EUR 1m. Beneq is planning to use this funding to speed up its international growth and strengthen the organisation, with a substantial proportion...
UK - LDC buys telecoms tester in £30m deal
LDC has backed the management buyout of Microlease, the European market leader for the rental and leasing of electronic test and measurement equipment. Microlease provides a wide range of general purpose test equipment such as oscilloscopes and data acquisition...
UK - Jefferies expands technology research team
Jefferies International Ltd, a subsidiary of US-based Jefferies Group Inc, today announced the appointment of Milan Radia as a Senior Equity Research Analyst, extending the firmтs global coverage of the software and IT services industries. Milan Radia...
UK - Terra Firma in partial exit from East Surrey Holdings
Terra Firma has sold ESP Pipelines Group Ltd for ТЃ225m to ABN AMRO Infrastructure Capital Equity Fund. The acquisition is being funded by a mixture of equity provided by the infrastructure fund and debt underwritten by Barcalys Capital.