Western Europe

Mid Europa makes first play in Croatia

The Central and Eastern Europe-focused private equity firm has made its first investment in Croatia, acquiring the aluminate cement business arm of Germany’s HeidelbergCement Group.

Cinven leads interest in £300m All3Media

All3Media, the Bridgepoint-backed company behind popular UK TV shows Richard and Judy and Shameless, is reportedly attracting interest from private equity firms Cinven, Apax and DLJ Merchant Banking.

Mitsubishi affiliate in UK buyout

Red Diamond Capital, the New York-based affiliate of Mitsubishi, has backed the management-led buyout of UK-based Avon Rubber’s automotive division with £63m.

Carlyle invests in European online advertising

The Carlyle Group has made a fourth investment from its European technology fund, taking a minority stake in German online advertising business Global Media.

Blackstone plans healthcare IPO

UK care homes provider Southern Cross Healthcare has announced its intention to float on the London Stock Exchange in an IPO that could see Blackstone reduce its interest to below 50 percent.

Where has all the distressed gone?

At the 2006 European Private Equity Real Estate Forum in London this week, participants discussed the future of the distressed space. By Aaron Lovell

Attractions in park life

Leisure parks in Europe attract customers from across the world. US and European private equity firms, it seems, are also along for the ride. By Robert Venes.

Union attacks AA’s private equity owners

Damon Buffini, managing partner of London-based private equity firm Permira, is at the centre of a campaign staged by UK trade union GMB against the firm’s ownership, along with CVC’s, of the Automobile Association.

Duke Street strengthens French operations

Duke Street Capital’s Paris office has made its second hire in the last two months with the appointment of Vincent Dupuy as an investment manager.

USS ponders £6bn alternatives push

Universities Superannuation Scheme, a UK pension fund with £22bn under management, is reportedly thinking of moving up to 20% of assets into strategies including private equity and infrastructure.