Western Europe

Recession-proof retail?

Recent deals and proprietary PEI research show the asset class continues to bet on pockets of the retail sector, despite gloomy consumer confidence, writes Suzanne Weinstock.

UK lender rejects Bridgepoint, Apollo, Blackstone buyout bid

The failed bid marks the second time this year that a private-equity backed rescue of a struggling UK-based mortgage lender has fallen apart.

New York commits $310m across three funds

Lindsay Goldberg’s latest middle market vehicle has garnered a $250m commitment from the public pension giant.

ARCIS closes fourth fund on €354m

The London- and Paris-based secondaries shop has closed its latest fund and is looking forward to the ‘attractive opportunity’ for the secondaries market caused by credit market dislocation.

KKR adds former Skanska chief to growing infrastructure unit

The addition of former Skanska Infrastructure Development chief Simon Hipperson comes as the firm continues to build its team ahead of a reported $5bn fundraising effort

Elysian looks to Leeds in lower mid-market push

Phil Greves has left 3i’s Manchester office to join the latest private equity venture led by Doughty Hanson founding partner Ken Terry. Greves will launch the firm’s Leeds office as it searches for lower mid-market deals.

UK media group rejects reduced £1.9bn bid

The reduced takeover offer for Informa, publisher of Lloyd's List, by Providence Equity Partners, The Carlyle Group and The Blackstone Group has come after a shake-up in the original consortium that offered £2.15bn for the company in late June.

Report: JC Flowers, China, BofA join for Lehman

The financial services private equity firm is working with China's sovereign wealth fund and the major US bank on a joint bid, according to a report from the Financial Times.

DFJ Esprit hires portfolio company COO

Serial entrepreneur William Reeve has been made a venture partner at the London-based DFJ affiliate, most recently having steered operations for DFJ Espirit-backed portfolio company LOVEFiLM International.

European Capital loses buyout pro to HSBC

Basil Sakellis has joined the London-based HSBC team, the third addition to the UK mid-market private equity firm in the past three weeks. European Capital's buyouts head, Simon Henderson, resigned in May.