Western Europe

PPM Capital spins out from Pru, MacDougall lambasts Walker report(4)

PPM Capital, the European mid-market firm, has spun out from financial services company Prudential. The team’s leader Neil MacDougall is pleased to be leaving behind large corporate red tape.

Hicks launches PE firm(2)

In the latest stage of his very busy retirement, Tom Hicks has made a formal return to private equity with the launch of Dallas-based Hicks Equity Partners and the hiring of three managing directors for the firm.

Ontario Teachers' and AIG augment Mexican power portfolio

A $304 million deal for two Mexican power plants has been completed by InterGen, a company backed by Ontario Teachers’ and AIG’s private equity arms.

Hawkpoint boosts team(2)

Hawkpoint Partners has made three appointments in its German, debt advisory and media teams.

Octopus and Foresight make 4.4x return from outsourcing company(4)

Octopus Private Equity and Foresight Group, the small and medium enterprise investors, have sold their controlling stakes in outsourcing company Covion Holdings with an 84 percent internal rate of return over two and a half years.

Inflexion Private Equity backs £44m buyout of Eurotel(2)

The UK mid-market firm Inflexion is looking for growth organically and through acqusitions from its investment in a UK telephony services provider.

Bush administration to veto carry tax bill(3)

The White House has indicated that, if passed by the US Senate, it would veto a bill passed today by the House of Representatives. Cerberus Capital Management’s John Snow has also attacked the bill, which aims to raise revenue with measures including increasing the tax on carry.

Bridgepoint to auction credit collection agency

The sale of a credit collection business is likely to attract interested bidders looking to consolidate the sector, which will see increased activity as defaults rise.

Milestone puts difficulties behind it with latest recruit(4)

Milestone Capital Partners is continuing its rebound with the recruitment of mid-market buyout veteran Philip Conboy as it looks to raise money for its fourth fund.

Branson says no to 18% CGT, extend holding time(2)

Sir Richard Branson, the founder of UK business Virgin Group, has called for the UK Chancellor Alistair Darling to ditch plans to remove “taper-relief” on capital gains. Branson joins a widespread group of protesters against the reforms.