The Independent Voice of
European Private Equity

Advanced Search

Retail, Consumer & Leisure

Nexxus Iberia marks debut investment from second fund

The Spanish GP has acquired a majority stake in retail equipment manufacturer Creaciones Marsanz

Alanza Dte Aon Ey Garrido Pinsent Masons Spain

Ardian partially exits Audiotonix to PAI

The sound engineering company was acquired by Ardian in March 2020

Allen & Overy Alvarez & Marsal Ardian Goldman Sachs Liberty Corporate Finance Macfarlanes Mckinsey Pai Partners Weil Gotshal & Manges

Genesis Capital’s HP TRONIC Group buys back shares from GP

The Central European investor first backed HP TRONIC in 2017

Czechia Genesis Capital Slovakia

Genesis Capital acquires Hungarian automotive-distribution IT specialist

The GP aims to capitalise on the ongoing digital transformation in vehicle distribution chains

Amplify Consulting Digital Transformation Ecovis Ey Genesis Capital Kinstellar Oppenheim

Apheon exits Italian luxury brand Visionnaire

Leopoldo and Eleonore Cavalli will reinvest in the company and continue in their positions of CEO and creative director respectively

Apheon Gop Lazard Pwc

Deal in Focus: Apiary’s 4x return on sale of entertainment touring agent TAG worth the wait

Apiary's Mark Salter and ECI's Rory Nath speak to Real Deals about the exit

Apiary Capital Browne Jacobson Clearwater International Eci Partners Rothschild & Co Squire Patton Boggs

NRDC Equity Partners and BB Kapital SA snap up German department store out of insolvency

The German-US investor consortium is expected to take over more than 70 shops in Germany

Bb Kapital, Nrdc Equity Partners Germany

ICG backs travel insurance specialist Staysure

The UK-based company operates a portfolio of insurance brands and products including Avanti Travel Insurance and Rock

Icg Uk

Juuri Partners creates the largest online pet health store in the Nordics

The Finnish GP has backed Alvar Pet and concurrently inked its first bolt-on

Borenius Dotir Finland Juuri Partners Kpmg

Equistone sells German sports-turf specialist to US-based GP

During Equistone's holding period, the business more than doubled its revenues

Bcg Crescendo Deloitte Equistone Partners Europe Ey Germany Goodwin Houlihan Lokey Kps Capital Partners Latham & Watkins Pwc William Blair

Freshstream’s Bella Figura Music secures consortium funding

The business plans to continue expanding its portfolio, adding to hits written for the likes of Adele, Robbie Williams and the Human League

Freshstream Investment Partners Uk

Aksia-backed Italian food group Ifex buys Savi Alimentare

The deal was completed via Aksia's Fund V

De Luca & Partners Ey Giliberti Triscornia And Associates Italy Luigi Attardo Parrinello Russo De Rosa Associati

Sofindev acquires coffee-machine distributor Hillewaert

The deal represents the third investment of Sofindev VI

Acquisitions Benelux The Netherlands

Deal in Focus: Literacy Capital picks up minority stake in Live Business Group

Literacy CEO Richard Pindar tells Real Deals that the opportunity came through its advisory network

Literacy Capital London Uk

ESquare backs Smart Servant

The portco is a Dutch provider of service and cleaning robotics

Netherlands

Egeria acquires Meyer Menü

It follows the succession of the current majority shareholder and member of the founding family, Thomas Meyer

Egeria Germany

Stellum Capital and Inveready acquire minority stake in LEV 2050

It is the seventh investment from the Stellum Food&Tech I fund, while Inveready invested from its Inveready Biotech IV vehicle

Adv Lawyers Agrifood Pwc Rocío Cruces Torres Spain Stellum Capital, Inveready Asset Management

CVC acquires frozen bakery producer

Ardian, Alantra and Artá Capital have exited their stake in Monbake

Alantra Allen & Overy Ardian Cvc Capital Partners

Innova acquires minority stake in Dimark Manufacture

The Polish GP invested via the Innova/7 fund

Innova Capital Poland

ThinCats launches regional fund

The fund targets midsized SMEs across the UK

Liquidity Private Debt Thincats Uk

Literacy Capital picks up minority stake in Live Business Group

It is the investor’s 23rd platform deal since 2017

Literacy Capital London Uk

Vallis Capital Partners exits Castelbel to Bourn Rock Investments Group

The seller first acquired a majority stake in Castelbel in 2016

Bourn Rock Investments Group Vallis Capital Partners

Bluegem exits Beautynova to PAI

The seller will maintain a stake in the portco

Alvarez & Marsal Banca Akros Banco Bpm Boston Consulting Group Bper Corporate & Investment Banking Erm Houlihan Lokey Italy Latham & Watkins New Deal Advisors Oc&c Pai Partners Pedersoligattai Pwc Ramboll Raymond James Unicredit White & Case Willkie Farr & Gallagher

Verdane backs Nordic software provider Ingrid

The transaction also saw participation from Schibsted Ventures

Sweden Verdane

Unigrains Italia acquires La Prensa

The GP aims to support the business’s development through organic and external growth

Abele Marco Asinari Alexa Invest Alvarez & Marsal Bird & Bird Bnl Equity Investments Civesio Printing Dwf Erm Italia Gitti And Partners Goetzpartners Illimity Bank Italy Pirola Pennuto Zei & Associati

Hyperion-backed Ranger Fire & Security bolts on Syncro Group

The GP plans to complete five other acquisitions by the end of 2024

Cortus Transaction Services Gateley Hyperion Equity Partners Rsm Thincats

EOS IM sells EF Group

The London-based GP first invested in the Italian business in 2018

Alma Tax Led Alto Partners Alvarez & Marsal Eos Investment Management Group Erm Italy Molinari Agostinelli Studio Legale Oc&c Pedersoligattai Rmu Roland Berger Vitale Wi Legal

Quadrivio & Pambianco exit Autry

The sale to Style Capital has generated a 4x return

Italy Quadrivio & Pambianco Style Capital

Erhvervsinvest acquires Bisca A/S

The GP is ready to capitalise on new markets

Denmark Erhvervsinvest Food

Hg-backed Septeo acquires ACIGrup

The GP first invested in the business in 2020 through its Hg Genesis 9 fund

Hg Capital Spain

Fremman Capital eyes Innovative Beauty Group acquisition

The company is part of France-headquartered Albéa Group

France Fremman Capital

CVC-backed Douglas Group plots $1.2bn IPO

The group aims to complete the listing in the first quarter of 2024

Bnp Paribas Citigroup Cvc Capital Markets Cvc Capital Partners Deutsche Bank Germany Goldman Sachs Intesa Sanpaolo Ipo Jefferies Ubs Unicredit

Deal in Focus: Bridges Fund Management exits Vegetarian Express

Partner Emma Thorne tells Real Deals the GP first initiated an exit process in early 2020 but it was shelved when the pandemic struck

Bridges Fund Management Food Impact Investing Nvm Private Equity Uk

LDC backs Brighton-based software developer

LDC partner and head of south Aylesh Patel, plus investment manager Josh Wachman, will join the portco’s board as non-executive directors

Clearwater International Ldc Pwc Software Travel Uk

FCDE acquires majority stake in SELP

This is the fifth acquisition from the GP’s latest fund, FCDE Independent Fund II

Alvarez & Marsal Bnp Paribas Fcde France Gramond & Associés Hogan Lovells Indefi Pwc Rothschild & Co Strategy& Uggc

Limerston portco acquires holiday park

Largo Leisure Holidays has bolted on Campsie Glen

Limerston Capital Scotland

Kester Capital exits Jollyes for healthy return

The business more than doubled its revenues during Kester’s holding period, the GP said

Barclays Blick Rothenberg Cms Houlihan Lokey Hsbc Jamieson Corporate Finance Kester Capital Osborne Clarke Pwc Tdr Capital Uk

NVM acquires Vegetarian Express

The deal represents the GP’s eighth transactions in 12 months

Aon Continuum Deloitte Esg Food Strategy Associates Gateley Houlihan Lokey Joelson Nvm Lawyers Nvm Private Equity Rsm Uk

Motion Equity Partners acquires Axience Group

The French company develops pharmaceuticals for pets

France Motion Equity Partners

Innova-backed Bielenda bolts on Miya Cosmetics

Bielenda will cross-sell Miya products via its distribution channels

Cosmetics Innova Capital Poland

Foresight Group backs Live Group with VCT investment

The VCT funding will support the company to develop its audience engagement technology

Azets Brightbridge Catalysis Charles Russell Speechlys Cloud Origin Crowe Events Foresight Group Kryptocloud Shoosmiths Uk Vct Vista Whitecap Consulting

Accession Capital Partners backs SMYK MBO

The business was acquired from Bridgepoint

Accession Capital Partners Bridgepoint Deloitte Mjh Legal Poland Romania Ukraine

GP Profile: Arca Space Capital

CEO Ugo Loeser tells Real Deals the PE fund is currently assessing two new deals

Arca Fondi Arca Space Capital Fundraising Gpf Capital Gps Italy

Chiltern backs MBO of Strata Products

The GP will support the firm’s product offering and expansion

Chiltern Capital

Exclusive: Phoenix exits Global Freight Solutions

During a seven-year hold period, the GP helped double the firm’s revenue and profitability

Deloitte Phoenix Equity Partners Rothschild & Co Travers Smith

Chiltern Capital invests in Rapid Repair Network

The lower midmarket firm recently exited its stake in Steer Automotive to Oakley

Chiltern Capital Farleys Frp Corporate Finance Frp Debt Advisory Marriott Harrison Oakley Capital

GP Profile: Perwyn

Managing partner Andrew Wynn speaks to Real Deals about what makes the perfect deal and the firm's new office in Milan

Italy Perwyn Uk

Verdane completes quadruple acquisitions swoop from VNV Global

The investor seeks to support the digitalisation of the economy, it said in a statement

Sweden Uk Verdane

Vendis Capital-backed Silver Care bolts on Well-Fair

The deal represents the second acquisition for Silver Care

Belgium The Netherlands Vendis Capital

Coniston-backed Masterfix acquires MDfx

The SME investor backed Masterfix in September 2021

Coniston Capital Stephenson Harwood

Mutares acquires Temakinho restaurants

Temakinho offers Japanese-Brazilian cuisine

Bc Partners Italy Mutares

Deal in Focus: Investindustrial forms Sammontana Group with €1bn revenue

The GP's founder Andrea Bonomi tells Real Deals that the GP is already looking at three US-based bolt-ons to expand the firm’s offering

Bc Partners Investindustrial Italy

Deal in Focus: BD Capital acquires controlling stake in TLC Worldwide

Andy Dawson, co-founder and managing partner, tells Real Deals the GP’s operator-led approach resulted in the partnership

Bd Capital Bdo Cannacord Genuity Cil Goodwin Procter Jegi Lockton Nyman Libson Paul Pwc Retail Stephenson Harwood

Fund in Focus: Epiris Fund III holds final close on £1.044bn

Alex Cooper-Evans, partner, tells Real Deals the fund had strong re-ups from existing LPs

Campbell Lutyens Carey Olsen Clifford Chance Uk

Growth Capital Partners backs Electric Theatre Collective

The deal was done on a proprietary, bilateral basis, a spokesperson for the firm told Real Deals

Cil Confidas People Dickson Minto Growth Capital Partners Intechnica Jegi Rsm Uk Vista

Afinum sells Iconia to Deutsche Invest Capital Partners

Deutsche Invest Capital Partners is investing through its Capital Solutions strategy

Afinum Switzerland

Deal in Focus: Enterprise Investors raises a glass to JNT Group sale

EI’s value creation thesis allowed to reposition the company and shift its perception, which resulted in scaling JNT’s market share from single digits to almost 20% in volume terms, partner Sebastian Król tells Real Deals

Enterprise Investors

Carlyle exits Jagex to CVC and Haveli

The seller first invested in Jagex through its Carlyle Partners VII and Carlyle Europe Technology Partners IV funds

Aream Carlyle Group Cvc Capital Partners Goldman Sachs Haveli Morgan Stanley Uk

Fund in Focus: Fondo Italiano d’Investimento’s co-investment fund hits first close on €82m

Roberto Travaglino tells Real Deals that the investor hopes to reach its final close within 12 months

Co-investments Fondo Italiano D’investimento Italy Smes

Key Capital picks up minority stake in SJA

It is the sixth investment from Key Capital Partners Fund IX

Addleshaw Goddard Aon Azets Dwf Evolve Hmt Key Capital Partners Rpl Stratton Hr Uk

H.I.G. Realty creates €1bn resort hotel platform

Ella Hotels & Resorts in Greece will comprise 13 hotels and 4,500 rooms

Greece H.i.g Capital

Ardian Growth backs My Pie

Funding also came from Caisse d'Epargne Bretagne Pays de Loire, Banque Populaire Grand Ouest, CIC Ouest, Arkea and LCL

Alvarez & Marsal Ardian Food France Mcdermott Oaklins Oc&c Oddo Bhf Wincap Winston & Strawn

Kartesia-backed Vanreusel Family acquires Beltaste

Capital for the transaction was drawn from Kartesia’s Credit Opportunities strategy

Belgium Kartesia

Bestport acquires majority stake in Northside Graphics

Additional financing was provided by Triple Point Private Credit

Bestport Private Equity Northern Ireland

VR Equitypartner and AG Capital acquire Identa Kartensysteme

The German company provides chip-card solutions

Ag Capital Grant Thornton K&p Strategy Consultants Luther Tauw Vr Equitypartner

Apax acquires Ascential’s data subsidiary

WGSN is focused on trend forecasting in consumer, lifestyle and product design

Allen & Overy Apax Partners Bank Of America Consumer Ey Goldman Sachs Uk

BGF backs holiday parks IT specialist

Elite Dynamics serves more than 350 parks in the UK and internationally

Apex Group Bgf Big Hand Group Dtm Legal Hurst Mills And Reeves

Accent Equity sells Norco Interior to its own portco

The GP’s Götessons Design Group has bolted on the business

Accent Equity Norway Poland Sweden

Keensight Capital exits Vision-Box in trade sale

The GP first invested in the business in 2015

Houlihan Lokey Keensight Capital

Foresight IFW fund invests £1.3m in travel firm

The equity deal is the first by the fund since its launch in November 2023

Foresight Group Wales

Main Capital Partners acquires Millum

The GP aims to support the firm’s expansion internationally

Denmark Main Capital Partners Norway Sweden

Cobepa invests in SmartSD

The co-founders and management team will also reinvest in the firm as minority stakeholders

Cobepa Netherlands Rothschild & Co

Progressio Investimenti IV holds first closing on €182m

Commitments from its existing investor base made up more than 75% of the fundraising, the GP said

Di Tanno Associati Italy Legance Progressio

Lanza Capital closes second parking-focused fund on €550m

Anchor investors include Brookfield Asset Management and Partners Group

Altamar Advisory Partners Aon Baker Mckenzie Brookfield Clifford Chance Embarcadero Private Equity Ey Lanza Capital Partners Group Ropes & Gray

Fondo Italiano D’Investimento FIAF fund holds second close on €225m

EIF, Intesa San Paolo and Eurizon Capital have supported as cornerstone investors

European Investment Fund Fondo Italiano D’investimento Intesa Sanpaolo Italy

Deal in Focus: PSG Equity acquires Visit Group majority stake for €100m

The buyer’s managing director Edward Hughes tells Real Deals it is the eighth investment from the firm’s PSG Europe II fund

Norway Saas Sweden Travel

H2 backs Buttress

The UK and Ireland investor is currently investing its £300m Fund VI

H2 Equity Partners

BGF backs The Insights Family

The firm has invested £5m in the business

Bgf Browne Jacobson Dsw Ventures Hill Dickinson Hurst Surecloud Weightmans

Elysian Capital acquires Activate

It is the lower midmarket investor’s seventh transaction from Elysian Capital III

8advisory Aon Barclays Cbre Elysian Capital Oliver Wyman Ringstone Squire Patton Boggs Strategic Awareness

Resource Partners backs Flex To Go

The GP believes there is strong demand for car rental services from “occasional” travellers

Germany Poland Resource Partners

Gryphon Investors exits RoC Skincare to Bridgepoint

The deal is the sixth acquisition by Bridgepoint Europe VII

Bcg Bridgepoint Erm Ey France Gryphon Investors Jefferies Kirkland & Ellis Latham & Watkins Marsh Pwc Raymond James

Vendis backs Skins Cosmetics

The deal sees the GP team up with Philip Hillege, co-founder and current creative director of Skins, and Claudia Pouw-Dullaart, CEO since 2019

Belgium Cosmetics Netherlands Retail South Africa Vendis Capital

Equistone sells CH&CO to Compass Group

The trade sale values CH&CO at an initial enterprise value of £475m

Equistone Partners Europe

Puma Private Equity leads £10m funding round in Transreport

Established in 2021, Transreport is a UK-based accessibility technology company

Charles Russell Speechlys Claritas Tax Cortus Transaction Services Douglas Squirrel Mountside Ventures Puma Private Equity Shoosmiths Stephenson Harwood

Deal in Focus: Trimountain Partners invests in the UK’s Horizon Parking Group

Partner Ali Khanbhai tells Real Deals that the GP intends to leverage consolidation opportunities in the fragmented parking services industry

Acquisition Uk Value Creation

Foresight backs UK vehicle security solutions firm

TGSS MBO will be led by Dave Turnock and Andy Christopher

Buyouts Foresight Group Investments

Eurazeo invests in French perfumery brand

The GP secured a minority stake in Ex Nihilo alongside the firm’s co-founders

Eurazeo

CVC invests in Sunday Natural

The GP will support the business’s international scaling

Acquisition Germany Wellness

Avallon exits Wosana to Japanese holding company

The Polish PE firm wholly acquired Wosana in 2017

Poland Trade Sale

Fund in Focus: How Cinven banked $14.5bn for Fund 8

Real Deals catches up with Alexandra Hess, partner and head of investor relations, to discuss how the GP overcame a difficult macro environment to reach the fund’s hard-cap

Cinven Due Diligence Fundraising

Riverside sells E&A Scheer to Platinum Equity

The GP supported the firm’s international expansion and appointed new management

Dc Advisory Deloitte Netherlands Pwc Uk

Permira sells Italian restaurants chain

The business was sold to CVC Capital Partners

Food Italy Retail Sale

ScaleUp sells edtech business

The acquisition has been completed by a local family office in collaboration with the management team

Edtech Education Saas Sale Software Technology

TDR Capital becomes majority shareholder in Popeyes UK

The GP first backed the fast food chain in July 2023

Uk

Monterro acquires majority stake in AI platform

The Nordic investor’s MD Erik Syrén is the new chairman of the portco’s board

Ai Automotive Denmark

Charterhouse backs Two Circles

The GP is currently investing from its 11th private equity fund

Charterhouse Capital Partners Sport Uk

Perwyn acquires UK-based grocery firm

The deal will see food executive David Milner joining the business’s executive team

Acquisition Acquisitions Food Italy Retail Uk

Cinven closes flagship fund at $14.5bn

Fund 8 is nearly 30% larger than its predecessor

Business Services Fundraising Healthcare Industrials Tmt

BGF invests in outdoor furniture firm

The growth investor will support Akula Partners’ international expansion

Acquisitions Manufacturing Retail Uk

Bluegem exits luxury home fragrance business

The consumer investor acquired a majority stake in the business in 2017

Deloitte Dla Piper Italy