Econocom, a European business-to-business IT and communications technology infrastructure management provider, has acquired 100 per cent of the shares of Cap Synergy. Cap Synergy, known in the field of IT security and which generates a turnover of nearly EUR10m, brings to Econocom its portfolio of clients consisting of medium and large public and private-sector companies, including Accor, the French Ministry of the Economy and Finances, and RATP Dev. This acquisition helps the company meet its objective of positioning itself as a strategic business partner offering total IT solutions, particularly in the protection of sensitive data, an expertise gained with the

Houston-based private equity firm Rock Hill Capital Group has closed on a majority recapitalisation of Big Lake Services, a West Texas oilfield services provider operating throughout the Permian Basin. Big Lake, founded in 2006 by chief executive Casey Davidson, has a management team with over 150 years of Permian Basin experience. The company provides maintenance, completion and workover services to some of the most prolific exploration and production companies in West Texas, many of which have been customers since Big Lake’s inception. Since the company’s founding, management and key personnel have grown the business from three workover rigs to 22

IntraLinks Deal Flow Indicator (DFI) for the second quarter of 2012 shows a 23 per cent increase in global merger and acquisition deal activity compared to Q2 2011.   All regions also showed a year-over-year positive trend for Q2 2012 over Q2 2011, with the strongest growth in Asia Pacific (30 per cent) and similarly positive trends in Latin America (19 per cent), Europe/Middle East/Africa (EMEA) (23 per cent), and North America (22 per cent).   In addition to the 23 per cent year-over-year growth, the DFI also reveals increased volume in deals reaching due diligence over the last four

Morgan Stanley Global Private Equity has completed a majority investment in Creative Circle, one of North America’s largest professional staffing firms specialising in advertising, creative and marketing talent. Morgan Stanley Global Private Equity partnered with the current management team who will remain in place and retain a considerable equity stake. Creative Circle is a specialised staffing agency representing advertising, creative, marketing, visual communication and digital/interactive professionals on both a freelance and full-time basis. The company delivers talent solutions to top advertising agencies and marketing firms as well as to the marketing and communications departments of industry-leading companies. Headquartered in Los

Global merger and acquisitions activity in the first three quarters of 2012 added up to USD1,426.5bn, down by 19.4 per cent on the same period in 2011 (USD1,769.3bn), and representing the second lowest total since Q1-Q3 2009 (USD1,142bn), according to mergermarket. Q3 2012 totalled USD433.5bn, down 20.2 per cent from Q2 2012 (USD543bn), resuming the free-fall briefly paused by a rally in Q2. European deals in Q3 2012 had a total value of USD99.2bn, down 46.1 per cent from Q2 2012 (USD183.9bn) and a 40 per cent decrease on Q3 2011 (USD165.2bn). It was the lowest quarterly total for Europe

An affiliate of private equity firm Roark Capital Group has acquired Massage Envy, the largest provider of massage therapy and facial treatments in the US. "We are thrilled to have Roark as a partner as we continue to grow the Massage Envy brand," says Dave Crisalli, Massage Envy’s president and chief executive. "Roark’s strong operational approach and deep consumer and franchise experience makes them an ideal partner for our leadership team, regional developers, franchisees and team members." Ezra Field, managing director of Roark Capital, says: "Massage Envy has become a category-defining consumer wellness brand.  We are very excited to partner

Merger and acquisition deal flow into Europe is set to grow towards the end of 2012 and into 2013 as overseas buyers, including those in Asia Pacific, North America and South America, target discounted European M&A opportunities, according to Clifford Chance. Arndt Stengel, M&A partner in Frankfurt, says: "We expect to see a rise in European M&A activity driven by increasing investment opportunities in Europe. High quality assets are becoming available at competitive valuations as European sellers, including distressed sellers, are disposing of non-core assets.  This is attracting larger international buyers with a strong cash position, looking for the right

Gresham, the UK mid market private equity firm, has completed the GBP25m management buyout of Investis, a UK provider of digital corporate communications for public companies. At the same time, the investor relations business of Hemscott has been acquired by Investis from Morningstar.   Gresham intends to use its investment in Investis as a platform to accelerate the development of new digital products, to extend its reach to new customers in new geographies and to make acquisitions both in the UK and internationally. It will take advantage of Investis’ market leading position in digital corporate communications for listed companies including