Characterised by election fever, 2010 will see changes to the flow of funds, an increase in the use of Ucits wrappers by hedge funds and an opportunity for growth with defined contribution pensions, according to Tom Brown, European head of investment management at KPMG. Brown says there is a risk

Edhec-Risk Institute has launched a risk and investment management programme after a survey found that further education was needed to close the gap between real-word practice and research. The Executive MSc in Risk and Investment Management will provide experienced practitioners with a 17-month part-time programme. It builds on the results

Four Seasons Group, an air conditioning building services group, has acquired JCW for an undisclosed sum. JCW is a heating, ventilation and air conditioning business operating in the UK from the South West across to Cambridgeshire. Barclays Ventures made an initial investment in Four Seasons Group in May 2007 and

HarbourVest Global Private Equity, a closed-end investment company listed on Euronext Amsterdam, saw a 6.2 per cent increase in its net asset value in November.  The estimated NAV at 30 November 2009 is USD696.9m or USD8.40 per share, compared with USD7.91 per share at 31 October 2009. The previous month

Matrix Private Equity Partners has funded the GBP12m management buyout of CB Imports, a UK importer and distributor of artificial flowers and floral sundries.  This is the fourth transaction that Matrix has completed since the summer, following the MBO of Westway Cooling and the realisations of Tottel Publishing and Pasta

Benson Elliot Capital Management, a private equity real estate firm, has completed a EUR6m office-to-hotel conversion programme at the Deutsch-Japanisches Center in Düsseldorf.  The project transformed 5,000 square metres of office space into 85 executive hotel rooms and 650 square metres of convention space that can accommodate up to 1,000

Private equity firm 3i has celebrated PCD Stores’ successful initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The company is a rapidly growing department store group in China with an emphasis on high-end luxury products. PCD Stores offered 1.5 billion shares under the global offering, raising USD377m (HKD2.925bn) before

Artfact, an online live auction marketplace, has closed on USD13m of growth capital financing provided by Boston-based Commonwealth Capital Ventures and Ascent Venture Partners. Simultaneously, Artfact has merged with Auctionzip, the world’s largest directory of live auction listings. In addition to facilitating the merger, the growth capital funding will be

LDC, a UK mid-market private equity house, is supporting one of the new Formula One racing teams led by Manor Motorsport and WR Technology, which will compete for the first time in the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship.  The investment is consistent with LDC’s core investment principles of seeking

State Street has been selected by Illinois-based Calamos Investments to provide custody, fund administration and securities lending services to Calamos’ collective fund structures. The funds include open and closed end mutual funds, Dublin Ucits and private funds exceeding USD21bn in assets. With this consolidation, State Street now provides full back-office