EFG Hermes, an investment bank focused on the Arab world, has opened an office in the Syrian Arab Republic and launched a private equity fund that targets investments in the Syrian market. Established in 1984, EFG Hermes specialises in investment banking, asset management, private equity, securities brokerage and research. With

Cloudmark, a firm specialising in carrier-grade messaging security, has secured USD23m in a round of funding led by new investor Summit Partners and joined by Nokia Growth Partners, the venture capital investing arm of mobile phone supplier Nokia. Existing investors Ignition Partners and Industry Ventures also participated in the round. The

The Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change has launched a guide for private equity investors that aims to create greater understanding of the risks and opportunities posed by climate change and related policy developments. The guide is aimed at pension fund trustees who are limited partners in private equity funds,

Endless, an independent private equity investor, has acquired the business and assets of Trutex, one of a supplier of schoolwear in the UK.   Trutex was in need of further equity investment to strengthen its balance sheet and provide sufficient working capital to fund its growth.   Endless has partnered on

Venture capital trusts have suffered during the recession but optimism seems to have returned to the sector as it is expected that the 2010 fundraising season will see a marked improvement on last year, the Association of Investment Companies says.  The average VCT’s performance is currently down 0.5 per cent

Private equity firm CCMP Capital Advisors has acquired a controlling interest in Francesca’s Collections, a women’s fashion retailer. The company’s founders will continue to be involved in its management. Headquartered in Houston, Francesca’s Collections has more than 160 boutique locations in 33 states. It offers jewellery, handbags, gifts, accessories and

Taylor Wessing has advised online motor insurance provider esure on its management buyout from Lloyds Banking Group, funded by private equity firm Penta Capital. The deal, valued in excess of GBP185m, comes 15 months after the part nationalised bank assumed a 70 per cent stake in the insurance provider following

ETF Venture Funds, an early stage venture capital firm that invests companies in the healthcare, mobile, media and entertainment, greentech and business 2.0 industries, has changed its name to SeventySix Capital. The new name is the final component of a multi-stage re-branding effort. Founded in 1999, SeventySix Capital’s portfolio companies

Healthcare company Baxter International has agreed to acquire all the outstanding equity of ApaTech, a private equity-backed UK-based orthobiologic products company, for total consideration of up to USD330m. As a result of the acquisition, Baxter will acquire Actifuse, a silicate substituted calcium phosphate synthetic bone graft material which is currently