Google and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) have teamed up to invest in a portfolio of solar photovoltaic (PV) projects held by Recurrent Energy. The portfolio of projects is financed with a combination of debt and equity, which includes a significant equity investment from Google in addition to equity from SunTap Energy RE LLC (SunTap), a new venture formed by KKR to invest in solar projects in the US. “The investment is a clear demonstration of solar’s ability to attract private capital from well-established investors like Google and KKR,” says Arno Harris, CEO of Recurrent Energy. “This transaction provides an example

Sterecycle, the waste treatment and renewable power company, has raised GBP5.1 million in equity finance from four investors. New investor Finance Yorkshire led the round investing GBP1.25 million. A second new investor, German businessman Lars Windhorst, and existing investors including Aston Hill Financial from Canada contributed the remaining £3.85 million. The investment will fund the next expansion phase of Sterecycle’s Rotherham plant which will increase capacity from 100,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) to 175,000 tpa by the third quarter of 2012. Sterecycle CEO Tom Shields (pictured), says: “We’re very pleased to have two new backers on board and for the

Centre Partners, a middle market private equity firm with offices in New York and Los Angeles, has acquired Bellisio Foods, Inc, together with the management team of Bellisio. Bellisio is a leading manufacturer of branded and private label frozen foods, based in Minneapolis. Bellisio is one of North America’s largest manufacturers and distributors of frozen single-serve entrees and meals, sold primarily under the Michelina’s brand. The company also produces private label frozen products for a number of the nation’s largest retailers, and provides co-packing services to leading consumer packaged goods customers. Bellisio Chief Executive Officer Joel Conner, says: "We are

The law firm Ashurst LLP has advised Crédit Agricole SA in it’s sale of Credit Agricole Private Equity (CAPE) to Coller Capital. The sale is subject to authorisation from the competent authorities, which should be obtained in the first quarter of 2012. Crédit Agricole SA’s decision to sell CAPE forms part of a plan to optimise capital allocation and refocus the bank’s private equity activities on local business. The sale will reduce Crédit Agricole SA’s risk-weighted assets by about EUR900 million. Crédit Agricole SA will continue to provide financing for SMEs through the private equity vehicles owned by Crédit Agricole

Hermes GPE LLP (“Hermes GPE”), one of Europe’s leading independent private markets specialists with assets under management of GBP4.8 billion, has announced a revised ownership structure. Hermes Fund Managers Limited and the Hermes GPE management team have acquired the interests in Hermes GPE previously held by a subsidiary of Henderson Group plc (Henderson). Hermes GPE will continue to operate independently of its institutional partners and its business strategy will remain unchanged. Alan MacKay, CEO of Hermes GPE, says: “Hermes GPE has one of the most experienced investment teams in international private equity and infrastructure. We recently announced new offices in

An affiliate of Sun European Partners, LLP (Sun European Partners), the European adviser to Sun Capital Partners has made a cash offer to acquire the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Jacques Vert Plc (Jacques Vert), the womenswear clothing retailer. Under the terms of the offer, shareholders would be entitled to receive an offer price of 21.0p in cash per Jacques Vert share, a 68.0% premium to the closing price on 15 December, 2011.   Headquartered in London, UK, and listed on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange, Jacques Vert began trading in 1972

Affiliates of Apollo Global Management have signed a definitive agreement to acquire Taminco Group Holdings, the largest independent global producer of alkylamines and their derivatives, from affiliates of CVC Capital Partners for approximately EUR1.1 billion. The acquisition is expected to close in the first half of 2012 and is subject to customary closing conditions. "We are extremely pleased to announce this acquisition by Apollo,” says Laurent Lenoir, CEO of Taminco. “Apollo has a proven track record of making successful investments in chemical businesses and we are excited about partnering with them to further develop and grow our business. We expect

Ogier London acted as BVI legal adviser to CVC Capital Partners in relation to its GBP900m acquisition of a 51% stake in Virgin Active. CVC’s investment supports the growth plans of the Virgin Active business in both existing and new geographies, both through targeted acquisitions and a successful club roll out programme.    "This high profile, high value transaction demonstrates the continued suitability and use of BVI entities in the market as joint venture vehicles. It also highlights the calibre of transaction that the Ogier BVI team in London are regularly asked to advise on," says Simon Dinning (pictured) managing

Venture capital fund The Crosslink Seed Fund has completed its 23rd investment of 2011. The USD20 million fund was launched in February 2011 with the objective of providing between USD100,000 and USD500,000 in seed capital to early-stage technology companies. The Crosslink Seed Fund is a carve-out of the Crosslink Ventures VI Fund and is targeting roughly 20 investments each year in industries that include advertising, e-commerce, SaaS, financial services, gaming, big data, mobile and several others. “We’re looking for entrepreneurs who are developing solutions to billion dollar problems,” says Eric Chin (pictured), Crosslink Capital partner who stewards the Seed Fund.

First Reserve Corporation is to acquire a diversified portfolio of US contracted natural gas fired power generation plants totalling 1,068 MW (the Power Portfolio) from Arclight Capital. The new entity will be named the FREIF North American Power I. As part of the agreement, the California Public Employees’ Retirement System will acquire the Neptune Regional Transmission System (Neptune), a 660-MW HVDC transmission line connecting NY Zone K with PJM.   First Reserve’s Energy Infrastructure Fund will take a controlling ownership position in the Power Portfolio, and CalPERS’ investment will result in direct ownership of 75% of the Class C shares