Western Europe

Spectrum invests $300m in genealogy company(4)

Spectrum Equity Investors will acquire a majority stake in The Generations Network, a company the firm has backed since 2003. The investment deepens Spectrum’s holdings in the online media sector.

UK government FoF commits $180m to Latin America

CDC has announced a round of Latin American commitments as it reportedly prepares to launch a $150 million venture fund of funds targeting India.

Milestone puts difficulties behind it with latest recruit(2)

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.

Baring Asia invests in Chinese medical device manufacturer

Baring Private Equity Asia, an Asian buyout firm, has made a growth capital investment in the booming medical device sector.

Morley opens fund of funds to third party investors(3)

The UK fund manager owned by insurance group Aviva is to put its experience of private equity fund investing at the disposal of its clients in a rolling programme of annual partnerships.

Graphite completes turnaround of heating company(4)

Graphite Capital, the UK mid-market private equity firm, has sold Applied Energy, having grown sales at the business by 38 percent after buying it nearly six years ago from a joint venture owned by Marconi and GE.

Morgan hires Metalmark, Allianz GPs(4)

After three years at Morgan Stanley spin-out Metalmark, Eric Fry has been appointed partner at the investment bank’s new private equity arm. Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley Private Equity’s London team has hired former Allianz Capital pro Michael Hehn.

Former Refco chief faces 315-year prison term, $2.4bn fine

Phillip Bennett, the former head of scandal-ridden futures brokerage Refco, has pleaded guilty to a 20-count indictment of fraud and conspiracy charges. Other court cases involving the former TH Lee portfolio company are ongoing.

Alpha closes fund of funds on €309m(3)

Alpha Associates, the central and eastern European fund manager, has held the final close of its second fund, which is already 40 percent committed.

UK business grandee joins TPG(4)

Sir Victor Blank, a prominent UK businessman, is returning to his private equity roots with a role as senior adviser to TPG, the global buyout firm.