Western Europe

De Agostini joins Palamon with a stake in Italian loan provider

Italian conglomerate De Agostini has taken a minority stake in Palamon Capital Partners-backed loan provider Sigla Luxembourg, as the relatively undeveloped personal credit market in Italy continues to grow.

Ex-Bloomingdale’s chief starts fashion-focussed firm

Former Bloomingdale’s head Marvin Traub has launched a designer-focussed private equity firm that recently made its first investment in UK fashion label Matthew Williamson.

Apollo emerges as a possible bidder for Countrywide

UK estate agency chain Countrywide confirmed that it has received an approach from another potential suitor, believed to be US private equity firm Apollo Management, after the collapse of its buyout talks with 3i.

Emap prepares to lock in buyout proceeds

Emap, the media group that is currently being circled by various private equity firms, has paved the way for its forthcoming £2 billion sale by offering its shareholders a way of minimising their potential tax bills.

GIP and Zeus pick up Indian oil and gas company

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.

Arcapita exits wind farm in second deal this week(2)

Prudential M&G’s infrastructure arm Infracapital Partners and an unnamed group advised by JP Morgan Asset Management have bought a one third stake in wind farm Zephyr Investments from Arcapita Bank, in the Bahrain-based investor’s second deal this week.

Creative Ventures scores debut investment(3)

UK venture capital firm Creative Ventures has made its first investment since it was founded in late 2006.

Darling ups UK tax on carry to 18%

Alistair Darling, the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, has scrapped taper relief, the tax treatment that allowed private equity executives to pay as little as 10 percent on capital gains. Tax experts condemned the move.

Tom Hicks joins Liverpool bid

George Gillett has reportedly joined forces with fellow American sports tycoon and buyout veteran Tom Hicks in the takeover bid for Liverpool football club. Dubai International Capital pulled out of takeover talks earlier this week.

Icelandic group to trump Candover’s Stork bid(2)

UK buyout firm Candover is faced with a rival bid for the industrial group Stork from Icelandic investor group LME, which holds a blocking stake in the company.