Western Europe

BVCA trebles wages to attract big hitter(3)

The UK private equity industry’s trade body has reportedly trebled the salary on offer to its chief executive, as it attempts to bring in a heavyweight external figure with the contacts and credibility to restore its reputation.

Credit crunch forces Apax to postpone Emap bid(2)

Apax Partners has reportedly been forced to postpone its bid for UK media business Emap while it struggles to find a bank prepared to underwrite the bid.

Spanish takeover law changes

After some troubled years for buyout firms in Spain, the country’s integration of EU takeover law is likely to provide a clearer, fairer system for buyout firms entering the market.

Hunter drops out of Dobbies bidding(3)

Tesco’s offer bid for Dobbies garden centre looks likely to succeed, after Tom Hunter’s West Coast Capital pulled out of the bidding.

Credit Suisse, Abu Dhabi back $77m solar investment

Paladin Capital and a fund led by Credit Suisse, with the backing of the Abu Dhabi government, have invested $77 million in a producer of thin film solar products.

Bain promotes private equity expert(2)

The global business consulting firm has promoted private equity expert Cyrus Jilla to become managing partner of its UK operations.

Waterland exits e-payment business(3)

Waterland Private Equity Investments and Prime Technology Ventures have sold GlobalCollect, an e-payment service provider, to General Atlantic for an undisclosed amount.

Morgan Stanley strengthens for Europe buyout push(2)

Five years after spinning off its private equity business, Morgan Stanley has made another senior appointment as it prepares to launch a $6 billion global buyout fund.

Carlyle venture arm exits semiconductor business(3)

After two years of ownership, Carlyle’s European venture arm is selling French scientific equipment maker CAMECA to US trade player AMETEK for more than €80 million. The fund, which was launched with great fanfare in 1999 to target internet investments, was forced to broaden its remit after the dotcom crash.

Piper makes 6x return from Las Iguanas

Piper Private Equity has sold its minority stake in UK Latin American-themed restaurant chain Las Iguanas to Bowmark Capital for £27 million, registering a 6 times return with a 40 percent IRR over five years.