Western Europe

Barclays Private Equity makes £75.5m energy play(3)

The European buyout manager of UK bank Barclays has joined the throng of firms looking to profit from the boom time in the oil and gas industy.

Schwarzman defends sovereign funds

Speaking on a World Economic Forum panel dedicated to sovereign funds, the Blackstone chairman and chief executive praised the funds and likened them to US state pensions as institutional investors.

Lightyear lines up Lloyd’s membership for its first UK acquisition(2)

Lightyear Capital has acquired the UK operations of German insurance company Württembergische Versicherung, after ensuring the company could become a member of Lloyd’s of London.

West LB settles Boxclever dispute with Terra Firma

Terra Firma’s settlement with the German bank over the disputed Boxclever securitisation allows the UK buyout firm to defend charges of fraud on only one front against French bank Natixis.

CVC sells healthcare business to BUPA(3)

BUPA, a UK healthcare group, has made a A$1.225bn acqusition of CVC's DCA Agedcare Group, just months after selling its portfolio of hospitals to Cinven, a UK buyout group.

DIC makes first direct MENA investment(4)

Dubai International Capital has completed its first direct private equity investment in the region through the acquisition of luxury company Rivoli Group.

Permira consortium completes £110m sale after nine years(2)

A consortium involving Permira, RBS and HBoS has sold toothpaste tube manufacturer Betts Global after a nine year investment.

Liverpool refinancing to go ahead

The owners of Liverpool Football Club, US investors Tom Hicks and George Gillett, are close to strengthening their hold on the UK Premiership club despite reported bid interest from Middle Eastern firm Dubai International Capital.

Montagu makes quick sale to trade buyer(3)

Trade buyer Towergate has bought IT company Open International from Montagu Private Equity, led by Chris Masterson, indicating trade sales are still viable as an exit route.

Bridgepoint partially exits training company after eight years(2)

European buyout firm Bridgepoint has sold vocational skills company Protocol Skills to Close Brothers Private Equity. This represents a partial exit for Bridgepoint after eight years invested in parent company Protocol Group.