Private equity guru Damon Buffini exits UK’s Permira after nearly three decades January 20, 2015 Veteran Permira executive Damon Buffini, who worked his way up from humble origins to become one of the most powerful men in the City, has announced his exit from the group after 27 years. Buffini became a lightning rod for anti-business campaigns at the height of the buyout boom when he was Permira’s managing partner. [...]
Active Private Equity set for £7m investment in Honest Burgers January 18, 2015 British investment firm Active Private Equity is set to take a stake in fast-growing gourmet burger chain Honest Burgers, it emerged yesterday. The venture capital and private equity specialist, which owns stakes in Evans cycles shops and Leon cafes, is reportedly investing £7m in return for 50 per cent of the business. Active’s Spencer Skinner [...]
US private equity giant TA Associates swoops for Essex-based software firm Access Group January 18, 2015 US private equity firm TA Associates has acquired Essex-based technology company Access Group in a deal thought to be worth over £225m, it emerged yesterday. Access Group is a software consultancy and developer headquartered in Colchester, primarily serving UK mid-market businesses. Employing approximately 450 staff, the firm’s 6,000-strong client base includes the Leicester Tigers rugby [...]
Private equity firms line up for £400m ticket to Big Bus Tours January 11, 2015 A HOST of international private equity firms are vying to acquire British sightseeing bus tour operator Big Bus Tours, it emerged yesterday. European buyout specialist Permira, the UK-headquartered Exponent Private Equity, America’s Advent International and Omers Private Equity – the investment arm of a Canadian pension fund – are circling the London-based company, which is [...]
Private equity floats at highest since 1998 December 21, 2014 NEW STOCK market listings of private equity backed firms like SSP, led by chief executive Kate Swann, rose to their highest level since 1998 this year, according to figures from the centre for management buy-out research, at EY and Equistone. There were 43 PE-backed floats across Europe in 2014, worth €44bn, according to the stats.
Dream debut as Lending Club valuation soars after IPO in boost to British crowdfunding December 11, 2014 Lending Club’s valuation soared to more than $8bn yesterday as shares rocketed as much as 60 per cent on their first day of trading. The world’s biggest peer-to-peer lender floated in New York, and could kick-start a new tech boom – with British crowdfunding firms getting a big boost from the intense investor interest. [...]
Sky offloads online betting business Sky Bet for £800m to private equity firm CVC Capital December 4, 2014 Sky has sold off the majority of its online betting business Sky Bet to private equity firm CVC Capital for £800m to concentrate on its new Europe-wide TV business. The deal will net Sky £600m in cash and a further deferred £120m, giving CVC Capital an 80 per cent stake in the business. Sky has [...]
Crowdfunding website Indiegogo offers investors insurance in case projects fail December 3, 2014 Crowdfunding website Indiegogo will trial an insurance option for its users, in case the projects they invest money in fail to materialise. It's currently being tested on one project, a wearable band that helps manage stress called Olive. Potential investors can pay the $15 (£10) "optional insurance" fee in addition to the $129 required backing, as reported by TechCrunch. The [...]
Sir Clive Sinclair is crowdfunding a new ZX Spectrum computer December 2, 2014 If you were around in the 1980s, you will know how truly immense this news is. Sir Clive Sinclair is crowdfunding to create a new ZX Spectrum. For those who don't, Sinclair was behind the Spectrum range – one of the first mainstream home computers in the UK, which rivalled the likes of the [...]
Bermondsey-based DIY brewery launches crowdfunding campaign November 26, 2014 UBREW, a Bermondsey-based brewery that allows members to brew their own craft beer, has launched a crowdfunding campaign today. Set to open in the New Year on the Bermondsey Mile, Ubrew is looking to crowdsource £75,000 – in exchange for 10 per cent equity in the company – to purchase equipment, rented accommodation and a [...]