Private equity investment firm Highlander Partners has acquired ProService Agent Transferowy, a transfer agent services provider in Poland, from the Enterprise Investors portfolio company Skarbiec Holding. ProService AT is a transfer agent services provider for investment and pension funds in Poland.   Highlander Partners, an American investment firm with an active presence in Central Europe, focuses on investments in middle-market manufacturing and service companies that participate in sectors with long term growth potential. “We decided to back ProService AT because we believe in the further growth of investments funds and the financial services industry in Poland, with which the transfer

Hancocks Group, which includes Hancocks Cash and Carry, has been sold to its management and H2 Equity Partners. The new ownership sees both Andrew and Adrian Hancock step back from the company.   Established in 1962 by Andrew and Adrian’s father Ray Hancock, the Hancocks Group has been owned and managed by the family for 50 years. In that time it has grown to a business with over GBP100m in sales.   H2 Equity Partners plans to build on Hancocks’ strong position in the market to take the company forward in the coming years. H2 and management will work together

Peterson Partners has exited its investment in Vivint. Blackstone Capital Partners VI, a fund managed by Blackstone on behalf of its private equity investors, purchased the entirety of Peterson’s equity interest. “We are extremely proud to be part of one of the largest private company transactions in the state of Utah,” says Dan Peterson, managing partner of Peterson Partners. “This transaction furthers our established track record of aligning with outstanding management teams to help build great businesses and accelerate growth. Vivint’s founders and executive team produced exceptional results for customers, shareholders, employees and the community at large. We feel fortunate

Hogan Lovells has advised the management of Xafinity Consulting on the firm’s acquisition by CBPE Capital from the Equiniti Group, announced on 16 November 2012. CBPE is a private equity firm which invests in companies seeking growth or development capital. Xafinity has over 350 employees operating from six regional UK offices and provides a range of actuarial, pensions, healthcare and other employee benefits consulting and administration services predominantly to the trustees and sponsors of corporate pension schemes. The Hogan Lovells team advising the management was led by co-head of private equity Alan Greenough (pictured), supported by of counsel Keith Woodhouse

Sleep Innovations, a specialist in designing and manufacturing sleep solutions and comfort products, has been acquired by an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners. The private investment firm specialises in leveraged buyouts and investments in market-leading companies. Terms of the private transaction, which was announced on 18 October 2012, have not been disclosed. “Sleep Innovations is pleased to join the Sun Capital portfolio,” says Michael C Thompson, president and chief executive of Sleep Innovations. “This partnership will fuel our continued investment in research and development, expand our operations, drive new product and category innovation and accelerate our strategic growth plan.” “Sun

More than half (58 per cent) of UK private equity and venture capitalists expect the level of PE investment in the technology sector to increase over the next two years, with cloud and managed services viewed as the top two most attractive sub sectors, according to a report from business and financial adviser Grant Thornton UK. Whilst deal volumes are around 60 to 70 per cent of the 2008 peak, the technology sector has fared much better than most and 2012 has seen the return of PE hunger for the best UK technology deals. Over the next 12 months, two

HIG Capital’s European affiliate, HIG Europe, has acquired shares representing 49.99 per cent of the capital of Vértice 360 Servicios Audiovisuales (VSA) – until now fully owned by Vértice 360º – for a total of EUR16m. The investment has taken place through a capital increase, following which the remaining 50.01 per cent of the company’s capital will continue to be held by Vértice 360º. VSA provides technical services and equipment for audiovisual production, post-production and advertising, broadcasting television channels and live events. VSA is part of Vértice 360º, one of the main audiovisual groups in the Spanish-speaking market, which has

Blackstone has closed the previously announced acquisition of Vivint. Blackstone Capital Partners VI, a fund managed by Blackstone on behalf of its private equity investors, acquired Vivint for in excess of USD2bn. The acquisition includes three primary assets: Vivint, one of the largest home automation services companies and the second largest residential security services provider in North America; Vivint Solar, the fastest growing solar company in the US using power purchase agreements to provide affordable solar solutions to residential consumers across North America; and 2GIG Technologies, which creates security and automation equipment for the residential and small commercial markets.