Western Europe

Carlyle to complete full exit from QinetiQ(2)

The Carlyle Group is selling its remaining 10.3 percent stake in UK defence group QinetiQ, bringing to an end a successful, if controversial, investment.

CBI hits back on behalf of the buyout industry(2)

CBI director-general Richard Lambert has spoken out in support of the private equity industry.

Industry defenders continue to emerge(4)

Leading advisers to private equity are beginning to come out in support of the industry, following a wave of recent criticism.

Mixed response for UK Treasury tax review(2)

Leading buyout figures in the UK are divided on the implications a Treasury review of the tax treatment of shareholder loans may have. Some are dismissing it as political show-boating while others see a real threat to returns.

Myners defends criticisms of private equity(2)

Paul Myners, one of the most respected names in the City of London, has defended his criticisms of private equity to PEO, after he had previously highlighted the risks to pension funds.

TPG on short-list of five for Alitalia(2)

Texas Pacific Group is one of five groups selected by the Italian government to bid for struggling airline Alitalia. It now has until April to put together an offer.

Baird Capital buys Amoena for €102m(2)

Baird Capital Partners Europe has led the buyout of Amoena, a manufacturer of breast prostheses, bras and swimwear for women who have had breast cancer surgery. The private equity firm bought the company for €102.25m ($135m) from Coloplast, a Danish medical company.

AA casts doubt on disclosure theory(2)

The example of the AA, where buyout firm Permira has actually improved the level of disclosure since taking the company private, suggests that the latest transparency initiative may not solve the industry’s woes.

Apollo offers £1 billion for Countrywide(2)

As expected, Apollo Management has submitted a £1 billion proposal to buy UK estate agency Countrywide, although some shareholders are likely to be disappointed with the 590p-per-share on offer.

The sun never sets on the VC empire(2)

Accel Partners’ Joe Schoendorf says the expansion of VC activity throughout the world has created a 24/7 venture environment in which investors are going after revolutionary advances that could change the world. Dave Keating reports.