Buy and build add-on activity in Europe has been even weaker than the subdued levels seen in H1 2012, and well below the same quarter in 2011, according to Silverfleet Capital and mergermarket’s Buy & Build Monitor for Q3 2012. The volume of buy and build activity in Europe in Q3 2012 was slightly below the level seen in H1 2012, with only 50 add-ons completed in the quarter, compared with 142 add-ons in H1 2012 and 85 add-ons in the same quarter last year. This represents one of the weakest quarters since the nadir in mid-2009. The average disclosed

Following its investment in December 2011, MMC Ventures has led another GBP800,000 round of investment into Love Home Swap, the international holiday home exchange website founded by serial entrepreneur Debbie Wosskow.  Love Home Swap has appointed David Kelly as chairman (Amazon, Lastminute, eBay, mydeco, Rackspace) and Sean Cornwell (Google, eHarmony) as non-executive director.   Love Home Swap launched in 2011 to provide members with the opportunity to swap their homes with stylish residences across more than 100 countries – enabling people to holiday like a local by staying in inspiring homes around the world for free. Whether a Parisian loft

Claranet, a European managed service provider, has acquired Star, a UK provider of managed technology services. The acquisition creates the largest mid-market provider of integrated hosting and network services in the UK and continental Europe. Claranet is acquiring STH and its subsidiary, Star Technology Services, in a deal valued at GBP55m. The trading entities will be maintained and will become wholly owned by Claranet. Charles Nasser, chief executive and founder of the Claranet Group, says: “From a market and customer perspective, this is a great opportunity to bring together the experience and resources of two great companies to deliver a

Kohlberg Kravis Roberts is to acquire speciality insurance brokerage firm Alliant Insurance Services from Blackstone. Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed. Tom Corbett, chairman and chief executive of Alliant, says: “This transaction marks the next phase of Alliant’s growth and offers us an exciting opportunity to continue to build the business and offer best in class products and services to our clients. We are pleased to be partnering with KKR and appreciate the positive role that private capital can play in helping us manage our business and execute a growth strategy. This transaction will enable Alliant to remain

Hogan Lovells has advised Hay Tor Capital on its acquisition of a majority shareholding in Neonet from Nordic Capital Fund VII. The transaction was announced on 16 November 2012. Neonet is a Swedish independent brokerage/execution service provider at the forefront of electronic trading. Hay Tor Capital is a specialist financial services investor. A consortium of KAS BANK and Neonet’s management also acquired minority interests in Neonet. The Hogan Lovells team advising Hay Tor Capital was led by London private equity partner Philip Watkins (pictured), supported by associate Victoria Rodley. Watkins says: We are pleased to have advised Hay Tor Capital

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