Western Europe

Centre Partners acquires military headhunter

The New York-based private equity firm predicts that the acquisition of the military recruiting and consulting firm Orion will create synergies with its other portfolio companies.

Credit Suisse spin-out in $1.1bn ice deal(3)

GSO Capital Partners will add the largest ice manufacturer in the US to its diverse portfolio.

Graphite makes 4.2x return on Go Plant exit(3)

UK mid-market firm Graphite Capital has sold Go Plant, a vehicle hire business, to Easternrange. The sale has generated a return of 4.2 times Graphite’s original investment.

AVP agrees bolt-on for software business(2)

Pertinence, a French intelligence software business backed by venture capital firms Advent Venture Partners and Partech International, has bought US rival Intercim.

Duke Street draws first blood in dentist battle(3)

UK-listed Oasis Healthcare’s board has accepted Duke Street Capital’s £76.9 million offer for the company. However, the deal could yet come under threat, after trade rival ADP Healthcare Services said it may submit a competing offer.

New Look auction collapses

UK retailer New Look looks likely to be refinanced rather than sold, after the final consortium targeting the company failed to agree with the vendors’ valuation and withdrew from the auction.

Lyceum completes eighth bolt-on for National Britannia(3)

Lyceum Capital had made an eighth bolt-on acquisition for National Britannia Group, a health and safety consultancy, as the industry looks set to become a £1 billion market in the UK by 2010.

CD&R sells Brakes to Bain for £1.3bn(2)

US buyout firm Bain Capital has won the race to buy Brake Bros, a UK food distribution business, from Clayton Dubilier & Rice, in a deal thought to be worth about £1.3 billion.

Esprit Capital Partners leads €15m Kiadis funding round(3)

Kiadis Pharma, the biotech company backed by European venture capital firm Esprit Capital Partners, has raised €15 million in its latest funding round.

Eurazeo goes exclusive on Elis deal

The French listed buyout firm is in pole position to win the auction for Elis, a French textile business, after revealing that it has entered exclusive negotiations to buy the business from rival PAI Partners.