Western Europe

IMF report adds further grist to the mill(2)

The International Monetary Fund’s doom-laden warnings about the potential damage to financial markets of a high-profile private equity deal collapse have only worsened the political storm currently surrounding the industry in Europe.

GMB switches attack to Alliance Boots(2)

Kohlberg Kravis Roberts’ £10.1 billion bid for Alliance Boots, potentially the largest European buyout to date, has become the latest deal to attract the ire of the UK-based GMB trade union, private equity’s most vociferous opponent.

Debenhams chief voices “whipping boy” fears(2)

Following another poor set of results and another share price fall, Debenhams chief executive Rob Templeman fears that his company is being made a scapegoat for private equity buyouts.

Dutch buyout industry plays down political storm(2)

Dutch private equity insiders have played down concerns about proposed legislative changes, after leading alternative asset managers were called to the Dutch parliament to defend themselves against accusations they were “plundering” the country.

Lion hires senior Coke exec(2)

UK mid-market firm Lion Capital has recruited Mary Minnick from Coca-Cola as a partner – the second senior executive from the company to leave for private equity this year.

Apollo triumphs in £1.1 billion Countrywide bid battle(2)

US buyout firm Apollo Management has secured UK property firm Countrywide with help from the hedge fund Polygon, after frantic eleventh hour negotiations which saw two consecutive revised bids from Apollo.

Essential cleantech(2)

Yesterday’s Library House conference in London highlighted the need for VCs to identify the most promising sectors in cleantech investment and not get caught up in the hype. Dave Keating reports.

Wellington Partners invests in media start up(2)

Adconion Media, a German online advertising network, has received a commitment from Wellington Partners, a pan-European venture capital firm, of an undisclosed amount.

Buyout firms’ €12.8bn Altadis bid raises the stakes(2)

European buyout firms CVC and PAI’s €12.8 billion bid for Spanish tobacco company Altadis surpasses Imperial Tobacco’s rival offer last month and could trigger a bidding war.

CVC admits defeat on Sainsbury bid(2)

The Sainsbury family seems to have triumphed in its bid to keep the UK retailer out of private equity hands, after the last remaining members of the buyout consortium admitted defeat in their battle to take the company private.