Allocations
The most popular M&A deal project name in 2016 was Project Blue, according to Intralinks, a provider of virtual data rooms for M&A transactions.
Intralinks analysed almost 5,000 transactions in 2016 – all of which used an Intralinks Virtual Data Room – revealing that Project Blue, Project Diamond and Project Falcon were the top three most popular choices of code name.
Compared to 2015, the highest climbers in the league table were Project X, climbing from number 38 to number seven, and Project Sapphire, up from number 153 to number nine. Five of the top 10 in 2016 also
The venture capital trust (VCT) sector raised GBP542 million in the 2016/17 tax year, the second highest amount raised on record and an 18 per cent increase on last year’s figure of GBP458 million, according to the Association of Investment Companies (AIC).
This is the highest amount raised since 2004/5 (GBP779 million) when income tax relief was increased from 20 per cent to 40 per cent.
VCT assets under management to 5 April 2017 (GBP3.9 billion) are also up on last year’s GBP3.6 billion.
Ian Sayers (pictured), chief executive of the AIC, says: “These figures are a testament
PNC Bank has closed a USD100 million senior secured revolving credit for Apache Industrial Services, a portfolio company of Quantum Capital.
PNC Capital Markets led the syndication as sole lead arranger, and PNC Bank is serving as administrative agent.
Based in Houston, Texas, Apache Industrial Services provides a suite of services including scaffolding, coatings and linings, refractory, fireproofing and insulation to critical infrastructure. Apache serves the petrochemical, agricultural chemical, refinery, power generation, offshore energy and general industrial markets.
Apache will use the funds, in part, for its acquisition by Quantum, to refinance existing credit facilities, and to provide
The Riverside Company has sold a non-voting minority stake to Parkwood to accelerate continuing growth.
Parkwood is a limited partner in multiple Riverside funds.
“Parkwood has a deep understanding of Riverside including our strategy, market leadership and culture,” says Riverside co-CEO Stewart Kohl. “This is a natural extension of our mutually beneficial relationship. I’ve long admired Parkwood chairman and CEO Morton Mandel as a mentor and role model, so we’re especially happy to have them as a partner in growth.”
Parkwood’s acquisition of just under 10 per cent of the firm will be all primary capital, with the
Middle market private equity firm One Equity Partners’ portfolio company Anvil International has acquired AFCON, a provider of patented fire protection pipe hangers and seismic bracing products.
Financial terms of the private transaction have not been disclosed.
Headquartered in El Monte, California, AFCON manufactures a complete range of fire protection products, including clamps, pipe hangers and sway brace fittings for a wide variety of pipes and copper system piping. Established in 1968, AFCON pioneered the fire hanger and pipe bracing business with innovative products designed to minimise damage to fire suppression systems during earthquakes.
“We’re pleased to be
Private equity activity in Africa will inject billions of US dollars of sustainable investment over the next five years, research shows.
Private equity deals in Africa are growing from a low base equivalent to 0.18 per cent of Africa’s GDP in 2016.
Every 0.01 per cent increase will mean USD200 million more investment and could easily reach USD1.1 billion over the next five years.
A growth engine: Trends and outcomes of private equity in Africa, commissioned by global law firm Baker McKenzie with The Economist Corporate Network, also shows private equity investors in Africa are distinct from other
NVM Private Equity has exited from Coventry-based telecommunications and security systems integration provider Optilan following a secondary management buy-out by Blue Water Energy, delivering a 3.1x return on funds invested.
NVM first supported Optilan in the GBP18 million management buy-out in 2008.
Since then, under NVM’s ownership, Optilan has developed its technical capability and international footprint – opening operations in the Middle East, Azerbaijan, India and Turkey. It serves the energy, transport, infrastructure and industrial sectors.
Despite challenging market conditions for the energy sector and political volatility in some of Optilan’s overseas markets, the business has grown
ITI Technologies, operating under the brand Finvale, has closed a USD500,000 investment deal from a consortium of venture capital funds specialising in fintech.
Softline Seed Fund – a joint venture between Softline Group and Russian Venture Company’s seed fund – led the investment round, purchasing a minority stake for RUB15 million.
Da Vinci Capital, an emerging markets private equity fund manager, also co-invested in the deal from its co-investment fund.
Launched in 2016, Finvale develops fintech marketplace for trading financial products as well as risk management and other solutions for traders. The Finvale platform facilitates the distribution of
HIG WhiteHorse, a credit affiliate of global investment firm HIG Capital, has arranged a GBP27 million unitranche loan for Primesight, an out-of-home advertising company in the UK which is majority owned by GMT Communication Partners.
Primesight is headquartered in London, UK and has around 140 employees. The company operates a national network of some 20,000 advertising panels, selling the advertising space via advertising agencies and to companies directly.
HIG WhiteHorse has provided a flexible financing structure which replaces the company’s existing debt facility and provides additional capital to support growth and investment.
Jerry Wilson, principal at HIG WhiteHorse,
Exxelia, a manufacturer of high-performance complex passive components and subsystems focusing on highly demanding end-markets such as civil aeronautics, space and defence, has refinanced and simplified its debt structure.
The former structure, which comprised both senior debt as well as a mezzanine debt financing, was enforced in March 2014 before the acquisition by IK Investment Partners, has been replaced at the same leverage by the issuance of a new senior tranche of EUR160 million.
The debt has been arranged by a club of European blue chip banks and financial institutions: CM-CIC, HSBC and Société Générale acted as Global Coordinators.
Events
12 November, 2026 – 8:00 am
12 November, 2026 – 5:00 pm
