Western Europe

Cinven pays €675m for second hospital operator in a month

The European buyout firm has made its second foray in a month into the healthcare sector - this time to buy a Spanish independent healthcare provider - exploiting a rich vein of experience in the firm stretching back a decade.

Cinven wins £1.44bn BUPA hospital auction(3)

UK private healthcare group BUPA has sold its hospital arm to European buyout firm Cinven. The healthcare company exited the business because of regulation which prevented it from expanding its portfolio.

Duke Street fights tooth and nail for Oasis

London-based Duke Street Capital has amassed a 34 percent stake in Oasis Healthcare and increased its bid to £88.2 million, as the battle for the UK’s biggest dental business heats up.

Walker outlines plans for greater transparency(3)

Sir David Walker, the man who has been tasked with improving transparency in UK private equity, has defended his independent status to the Treasury Select Committee and outlined some of the specific guidelines he intends to recommend to the industry.

AA and Saga in £6bn merger(2)

Travel and insurance group Saga is to merge with the AA, the vehicle breakdown service owned by Permira and CVC Capital Partners that has been at the heart of the recent controversy over private equity. The move has provoked further union anger.

Pensions expert defends Electra(2)

A leading pensions expert has defended London-listed Electra Private Equity, after the listed trust became the latest target for activist trade unions following a reduction in pension benefits for ex-employees of its portfolio company Lil-lets.

Dexia holds second close of infrastructure fund(2)

Belgian bank Dexia has held a second close of its southern European infrastructure fund on €120 million.

Carlyle plots $22bn Virgin Media bid

The Carlyle Group is preparing a $22 billion takeover bid for UK cable TV and mobile phone business Virgin Media, as it looks to replicate the success of its previous European investments in the sector.

Lovells recruits Eversheds’ corporate head(3)

Law firm Lovells has expanded its Paris private equity team, recruiting rival Eversheds’ corporate head.

Brown promises to keep City competitive(3)

The UK prime minister in waiting promised his continued support for the City of London, the heart of the UK financial services industry, and appointed Permira’s managing partner as an advisor.