Western Europe

Carried away with it(3)

The UK Chancellor has increased the tax burden on the country's beleaguered buyout executives. But his move is carefully calculated to keep the industry in London, writes Nicholas Lockley.

Bridgepoint partially exits training company after eight years(3)

European buyout firm Bridgepoint has sold vocational skills company Protocol Skills to Close Brothers Private Equity. This represents a partial exit for Bridgepoint after eight years invested in parent company Protocol Group.

Saudi prince backs $500m Zephyr fund(2)

Zephyr Management has quadrupled its African fundraising efforts. The fund has a $250 million cornerstone investment from Saudi Arabian listed firm Kingdom Holding, led by prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Alsaud.

Sainsbury’s family demands adequate pensions settlement(4)

Qatari investment company Three Delta may be thwarted in its attempts to buy UK supermarket Sainsbury’s by the founding Sainsbury family. The family has reiterated in a statement that its acceptance of any bid is conditional on the Qatari firm providing an adequate pensions settlement.

GE recruits Paris leveraged finance head

As executives continue to look for fresh starts in the New Year, GE Commercial Finance has recruited Bank of Ireland’s French head of acquisition finance.

Carlyle recruits European investment banker

The Carlyle Group, the global investment firm, has expanded its European buyout team with Norbert Reis joining from Credit Suisse to cover the German and Austrian markets.

GIP and Zeus pick up Indian oil and gas company(2)

Indian infrastructure firm Zeus Infra-management and Global Infrastructure Partners have bought East India Petroleum as private equity firms continue to invest strongly in the oil and gas sector.

Braemar closes second fund on $250m(2)

New York firm Braemar Energy Ventures has raised $250 million for its second fund, which is more than 4 times the size of its predecessor.

Advent rewards team

Global buyout firm Advent International becomes the latest firm to encourage its team with a slew of promotions worldwide.

Adveq opens Beijing office, closing $200m fund(3)

Adveq, the Swiss fund of funds, has opened its first Asian office at the same time as closing its debut fund for the region.