Middle East & North Africa

Investcorp buys inspection company from Close Brothers for $311m(2)

Investcorp has made its first investment in the energy sector with the $311 million acquisition of an inspection services company from Close Brothers.

Benchmark-backed Bebo hires Google managing director

Benchmark Capital-backed social networking site Bebo has hired information technology veteran and former Google managing director Joanna Shields as president, and will move out of Benchmark’s offices this week.

Blue Wolf takes on Clinton vet(3)

Joshua Gotbaum will join the upstart New York-based firm as an operating partner and will also become its chief restructuring officer.

Venture looks for alternatives(2)

A year-end predictions survey released by the NVCA shows that though there is some optimism for future IPO performance among VCs, many will be actively looking for alternative exit strategies, including M&As by private equity firms. Dave Keating examines the results.

Rhone to buy division of International Paper(3)

International Paper has also agreed to sell a separate unit to Australian forest products company Carter Holt Harvey, bringing the total value of the company’s many spinouts to approximately $11bn.

Investcorp buys inspection company from Close Brothers for $311m

Investcorp has made its first investment in the energy sector with the $311 million acquisition of an inspection services company from Close Brothers.

Venture looks for alternatives

A year-end predictions survey released by the NVCA shows that though there is some optimism for future IPO performance among VCs, many will be actively looking for alternative exit strategies, including M&As by private equity firms. Dave Keating examines the results.

Bain Capital in largest ever South African buyout

US group Bain Capital has agreed a $3.5 billion deal for South African retailer Edgars Consolidated Stores, the largest buyout ever recorded in the country.

Citigroup and CDC launch $200 million African fund

Citigroup joins forces with a UK government-backed investor to target African opportunities.

Cultural learnings of real estate(3)

Last month, PERE hosted its inaugural US real estate forum, which showcased the diverse array of strategies and markets currently being pursued by investors. Kazakhstan anyone? By Paul Fruchbom