UK private equity fund Elaghmore has acquired Gardners, a designer and manufacturer of large format visual displays for world-famous brands and leading UK retailers. Elaghmore has bought Gardners from its management, who will remain with the business. Based in Cardiff and employing over 100 people, Gardners was an early pioneer in digital print technology. Today, from its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, Gardners now provides large format graphic solutions to leading brands, retailers and agencies. Gardners offers a full end to end solution, from creative design, through to complex installation. Gardners works with customers across the retail, logistics, construction and leisure sectors.

Silverbear, a member of the ClearCourse Partnership and a membership and CRM solutions provider for professional organisations, trade associations and the wider Not-for-Profit sector, has acquired Decisions, a provider of CRM solutions, application development and support for membership associations.  The deal was financed by ClearCourse and represents the first acquisition made by one of its companies since the Partnership was set up seven months ago.   Decisions provides configurable, integrated management software and consultancy and events management services to member-driven associations, societies, clubs and professional institutes, such as the British Association for Shooting and Conservation and the Society of Genealogists.

Lyreco Group has acquired DeskRight, an office supplies business focused on the Singapore market.  Lyreco says the acquisition will boost business at its Singaporean subsidiary, opened in 2006, as it benefits from DeskRight’s relations with local businesses and government agencies. This B2B client base will in turn benefit from Lyreco’s international scope, logistics expertise and global purchasing power.   The two companies will work together to capitalise on their complementary strengths and increase market share by improving client experience.     “We’re delighted to welcome DeskRight into the Lyreco Group. DeskRight has over 25 years’ experience on the market as well

Helios Investment Partners (Helios), an Africa-focused private investment firm, and the Egyptian-American Enterprise Fund (EAEF) through their investment manager Lorax Capital Partners (LCP) have acquired 96.7 per cent of Misr Hytech Seed International (Misr Hytech), a breeder and producer of proprietary agricultural seeds in Egypt, and one of the Middle East and Africa’s largest independent seed companies.  Founded in 1993, Misr Hytech develops and produces hybrid seeds of white corn, yellow corn, grain and fodder sorghum, sweet corn, and vegetables in Egypt. The Company provides farmers with high-performing seeds that are adapted to the Egyptian market, leveraging its well-known brand,