Q&A: Vaughan Evans
The author of ‘Let the Sun Shine!’ breaks down the world of strategic due diligence.
Private equity has GE Money in sights
CVC Capital Partners, JC Flowers and Cerberus have all placed rival bids for the takeover of Genera Electric's €6bn French banking operation, GE Money, according to Reuters.
Terra Firma to buy back Infinis shares
Terra Firma is set to complete a take-private of Infinis Energy, valuing the renewable energy group's listed shares at £555m (€759m).
New tricks
The future is leverage, according to one industry sage who gave a talk at a City breakfast last month. Using borrowing to beat the “J-curve”, or the gross-to-net internal rate of return spread, will be a cutting edge change, apparently.
Blackstone’s burden
Blackstone’s recent third quarter results had a very familiar feel, as yet again the firm reported an increase in the amount of capital at its disposal. The US firm is now sitting on twice the amount of dry powder that it was one year ago, at $23bn (€35.5bn).
Q&A: Scott Button, Unruly
Scott Button has been at the helm of advertising industry disruptor Unruly since its inception. He has co-managed the business through investment from Amadeus Capital Partners, Endeit and the Business Growth Fund (BGF), and its acquisition last month by News UK. The following is taken from an interview he gave at this year’s BVCA Summit.
Setting the standards
Regulatory intervention similar to that seen in the US is a possibility in Europe, according to one LP. The European investor community is trying to get its own house in order.
European family offices beat international peers on returns
European family offices outperformed their international cousins, assisted by their commitments to private equity, according to a study by UBS.
Equistone’s Concept Life Sciences bolts on Agenda1
Equistone portfolio company Concept Life Sciences has made its second bolt-on acquisition since it was formed last July, with the purchase of pharmaceutical testing business Agenda1 Analytical Services.
Palamon hires new associate principal
Palamon Capital Partners has hired a former associate principal at rival firm Centerbridge Partners.
Blackstone’s dry powder doubles in a year
Blackstone's quarter three statement sees the firm with an ever growing war chest, a higher management fee offset bill and a significantly lower transaction fee yield.
Mid Europa Partners buys remaining stake in Walmark
Central and Eastern Europe player Mid Europa Partners has increased its stake in Czech consumer healthcare business Walmark, giving the firm full ownership of the business.
Lonsdale hits £100m first close on debut LP fund
Lonsdale Capital Partners has reached a first close on its first LP fund, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.
Sun European Partners acquires Finlays Flowers for £100m
Sun European Partners has acquired horticulture business Finlays at an enterprise value of £100m (€135m).
Healthcare specialist GHO Capital makes first deal
Healthcare-focused newcomer GHO Capital has made its first deal, acquiring DNA Diagnostics Center (DDC) for an enterprise value of €104m.
BGF appoints two to northern offices
The Business Growth Fund (BGF) has made two appointments to its investment teams in the north of England.