Western Europe

Imprint shares leap on Alchemy approach(2)

Alchemy Partners is backing an £80 million buyout bid for UK-listed recruitment group Imprint. The company’s shares jumped 20 percent on the news.

Lion snaps up Russian juice maker

The UK-based buyout firm, which specialises in branded consumer businesses, has bought Russian juice maker Nidan Soki as it nears the close of its second fund.

Kelso raises £50m from Sepura float(3)

Turnaround specialist Kelso Place has raised nearly £50 million by floating a 25 percent stake in Sepura, a UK radio maker it bought out of administration for £1 five years ago.

3i infrastructure fund goes into oil tank storage(3)

3i said today it had already invested half of the £700 million listed infrastructure fund it raised in March, after buying a minority stake in three oil tank storage operations.

Boots second lien syndication postponed indefinitely(2)

The underwriting banks syndicating the Alliance Boots debt package have pulled the second lien tranche of the debt package, just a week after they were forced to postpone syndication of the senior debt for the deal.

Campbell to become chairman if Three Delta triumphs, Mellor not involved(3)

Three Delta has confirmed Tony Campbell will become chairman of UK supermarket Sainsbury’s if its offer succeeds, although the Sainsbury family is reportedly set against the deal.

Godiva may hit auction block

Campbell’s will explore strategic options for its Godiva Chocolatier business, as the company refocuses on its core products and expands its soups into Russia and China.

Blackstone makes first investment in China

The Blackstone Group has taken a minority stake in a subsidiary of the state-owned China National Chemical Corporation, as it continues to build relations with the Chinese government.

3i infrastructure fund goes into oil tank storage(2)

3i said today it had already invested half of the £700 million listed infrastructure fund it raised in March, after buying a minority stake in three oil tank storage operations.

Carlyle venture arm exits semiconductor business(2)

After two years of ownership, Carlyle’s European venture arm is selling French scientific equipment maker CAMECA to US trade player AMETEK for more than €80 million. The fund, which was launched with great fanfare in 1999 to target internet investments, was forced to broaden its remit after the dotcom crash.