Western Europe

Buyout boom drives $1.2 trillion quarter(2)

Private equity deal volumes hit nearly $200 billion in the first three months of the year, according to new research.

NBGI makes four times return on sandwich sale(2)

NBGI Private Equity has benefited from Duke Street’s attempts to consolidate the chilled foods sector, making a sizeable return on the £22 million sale of Brambles Foods to Food Partners.

Sovereign sells CMGL to Capita for £32m(2)

Mid market buyout firm Sovereign Capital Partners has sold insurer CMGL for £32 million.

TRG targets under-performing buyout funds(2)

Specialist restructuring advisor TRG has launched a new division that will help private equity firms make better returns from under-performing funds.

SV Life Sciences closes fourth fund on $572m(2)

SV Life Sciences has closed its fourth fund on $572m, just under the £300m fund that Abingworth closed last month but far exceeding its original target of $400m.

Industry backs BVCA transparency initiative(2)

The UK trade body has launched a working group, to be chaired by City grandee Sir David Walker, which will look at how the industry can become more transparent. The initiative has been backed by most of the UK’s biggest buyout firms.

Welcome Break set for £300m refinancing(2)

The UK motorway service station chain will continue its gradual recovery and yield a solid return for its backer Investcorp when it completes a £300 million recapitalisation this week.

Aggreko head: buyout firms do not pay enough tax(2)

Rupert Soames, who built UK-based Aggreko into a global company, has become the latest high-profile industry figure to criticise private equity.

Helix bolsters US staff(2)

Global private equity placement agent Helix continues its US expansion, with the addition of a senior vice president to its New York office.

Bridgepoint buys and sells(2)

European private equity firm Bridgepoint has made its second German investment of 2007 and has sold one of its portfolio companies.