EMW, the commercial law firm, has advised Whitworths senior management on the offer to them to subscribe for employee shareholder shares.   EMW says that the deal is believed to be one of the first deals to take advantage of the new employee shareholder status which became available from 1 September.   Under the terms of the deal, the senior management team are being offered equity in Whitworths, which will (subject to certain conditions being met) be exempt from capital gains tax, making the shares more attractive to employees.   Ian Morris, the EMW principal who led the deal for

Nova Capital has acquired a portfolio of businesses within Newell Rubbermaid’s hardware group in North America for USD214m.   The acquisition was announced on 9 August and includes five home improvement and hardware brands: Amerock, Ashland, Bulldog, Drapery Hardware and Shur-Line.   The acquisition was funded through a newly established fund with equity provided by its limited partners, including Nova and secondary funds managed by HarbourVest Partners and Landmark Partners.   “Nova is committed to targeted investment in these businesses to drive future growth. Our proven track record of combining operational and financial expertise is well established and has consistently

Black Diamond Capital Management has acquired TFL, a provider of specialty chemicals for the leather industry.   TFL is the only company providing a full range of solutions to its customers covering every step of the leather production process.    "This transaction allows us to move forward seamlessly to continue to offer our customers first-rate products, solutions and technical support, while at the same time providing us with the opportunity to become the preferred supplier," says Eugen Katzenstein, co-chief executive of TFL.  "It also allows us to continue to bring to market new ideas and innovative concepts with our extensive

Clearlake Capital Group has completed the acquisition of Futuris Automotive from Elders Limited.   The transaction was first announced on 31 July 2013. Clearlake operating advisor and automotive industry veteran Mervin Dunn has joined the Futuris board of directors as co-chairman.   Established in 1967, Futuris Automotive designs, engineers and manufactures seating and interior systems for leading global OEMs. Key automotive solutions include seating systems and hardware, interior products such as door trims, headliners, and floor carpets, and various aftermarket services. Futuris has design and engineering centres in Australia, China and the US and manufacturing facilities in Australia, China, Thailand

Baltcom, an entertainment and telecommunication services company in Latvia, has completed the acquisition of IZZI, the second largest cable television operator in the country.   Baltcom completed this acquisition with the full support of its shareholders AXA Private Equity, the European diversified private equity firm, and Resource Partners, a consumer-focused investor in Central and Eastern Europe.   Baltcom and IZZI will continue to operate as independent legal entities. The clients of both companies will continue to receive the services they had previously and will also have the opportunity to access the wider, combined offering of the companies, broadened with new

Independent corporate advisory firm Acuity Advisors has acted as exclusive corporate finance advisor to KnowledgeCenter to secure agreement from Charles Taylor to purchase both the business and its assets.   Established in 2001, KnowledgeCenter provides tailored business solutions to the insurance industry with its business process management and document management software applications. KnowledgeCenter works at all stages of a project’s lifecycle from initial project definition, through analysis and design, solution development, implementation and product or solution training.   Charles Taylor is an international provider of professional services to clients in the global insurance market. The group has been providing professional

BMC Software has concluded its acquisition by a private investor group led by Bain Capital and Golden Gate Capital together with Insight Venture Partners, GIC Special Investments and Elliott Management.   “This is an exciting day for BMC Software, including our employees, our partners and our new owners,” says Bob Beauchamp, the company’s chairman and chief executive officer. “Most importantly, this transaction is very good news for our customers.  As a private company, we will be able to innovate more quickly than ever before and deliver the most valuable IT management solutions in the industry.”   “BMC is the leading global