Jo Nash

SGAM holds first close on its North Africa fund

SGAM Alternative Investments has held a first close of its North Africa fund on €100m, halfway towards its target size of €200m.

Carlyle makes third MENA hire

Firas Nasir joins The Carlyle Group’s MENA team as head of the newly opened Dubai office.

Buyout firms circle Foxtons

At least three private equity firms are reportedly preparing bids for Foxtons, a UK estate agency valued at more than £400 million, as founder Jon Hunt prepares to sell his stake in the business.

Bridgepoint buys and sells

European private equity firm Bridgepoint has made its second German investment of 2007 and has sold one of its portfolio companies.

SV Life Sciences closes fourth fund on $572m

SV Life Sciences has closed its fourth fund on $572m, just under the £300m fund that Abingworth closed last month but far exceeding its original target of $400m.

Gresham strengthens investment team(2)

Gresham, a London-based private equity firm, has recruited a new investment director and a new research & origination manager for its investment team.

3i-backed company makes acquisition

3i-backed AviaPartner has bought cargo-handling company Aero Groundservices from Dutch shareholder VCK Holding. The deal is part of 3i’s growth strategy for the company that it bought in 2005.

Iceni Capital does three deals in one day

UK mid-market firm Iceni Capital has closed three deals in one day , buying marketing services company Pell & Bales, and two communications companies that it has merged into one group.

Dunedin double whammy

UK-based mid-market firm Dunedin Capital Partners has exited two of its portfolio companies in as many weeks, creating money multiples of 4.3 times and 3.6 times.

Stirling Square buys highway safety solutions business

UK-based mid-market firm Stirling Square Capital Partners and US-based Diamond Castle have acquired an international highway safety solutions business for an undisclosed amount.