Western Europe

VSS backs US e-commerce business

The New York and London-based media and communications specialist has backed SureSource, a US provider of outsourced e-commerce services for consumer product businesses.

Actis and Helios exit Flamingo

Tea company Finlays has bought horticultural business Flamingo, providing an exit for minority shareholders Actis and Helios Investment Partners.

Charterhouse Group to make 7x logistics exit(2)

New York-based Charterhouse Group will sell waste management logistics company Oakleaf Global to New Mountain Capital for $655 million.

Kelso raises £50m from Sepura float

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.

Credit crunch forces Apax to postpone Emap bid

Apax Partners has reportedly been forced to postpone its bid for UK media business Emap while it struggles to find a bank prepared to underwrite the bid.

FF&P homes in on OKA(2)

Fleming Family & Partners, a UK asset manager, has bought a majority stake in UK home retail business OKA for an undisclosed amount.

Bridgepoint exits Marathon with sale to De Agostini(2)

Bridgepoint exits the Marathon Group, the French TV production company, through a sale to trade buyer De Agostini. It had built up the company through a buy and build strategy over the last nine years.

Electra picks up £52m Premier(3)

UK buyout firm Electra Partners has agreed a £52 million take-private bid for listed fund manager Premier Asset Management, and appointed an outside non-executive director to its board.

Barclays sells Direct to LDC(2)

Lloyds Development Capital has bought Direct Group, a UK provider of insurance services, from Barclays Private Equity.

Graphite triples money on hotel deal

UK leisure group Whitbread has bought Graphite Capital's Golden Tulip hotel franchise for £44 million, tripling the mid-market firm's return. The business has nine hotels under development.