Managers
The Merrill Corporation survey highlights future challenges for EMEA dealmakers when complying with regulations, accelerating deals and harnessing the power of data.
An increasing number of M&A transactions may be stalling because of concerns over GDPR compliance, according to a survey of EMEA M&A professionals conducted by Merrill Corporation, the leading SaaS provider for professionals in the deal making community.
Overall, the survey highlights the significant role due diligence plays in determining M&A success, while providing insight into the challenges faced by M&A professionals today. The implementation of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) stood out as a
Lovell Minnick Partners (LMP), a private equity firm specialising in financial and related business services companies, has made a majority investment in SRS Acquiom, a Denver-based FinTech company that provides technology-enabled services related to M&A settlement, support and risk mitigation, as outlined further in the attached press release.
Founded in 2007 by Paul Koenig, Mark Vogel and Jason Mendelson and headquartered in Denver, SRS Acquiom provides an integrated platform of professional services, technology solutions and data that enables corporate acquirers, private equity firms and venture capital firms to navigate the complex M&A deal execution process more efficiently. The Company has
Gide has advised BioMérieux, a specialist in the field of in-vitro diagnostics, on its acquisition of a majority stake in Suzhou Hybiome Biomedical Engineering Co, Ltd.
As part of the deal, the French listed company (Euronext Paris: BIM) acquired 54 per cent of the shares in Hybiome for a valuation of EUR165 million, as well as additional assets such as distribution rights and existing installed base for EUR25 million. It had already purchased a minority stake in the Suzhou-based company earlier this year in July, a transaction on which Gide also advised.
Founded in 2009, Hybiome specialises in automated
Mobile home holiday operator, European Campaign Group, has started exclusive negotiations to acquire Palmiers Ocean, a French tour operator specialising in mobile home holidays, based in La-Roche-Sur-Yon (Vendee).
With over 20 years’ experience, Palmiers Ocean offers over 20,000 trips across 56 destinations, including 48 in France, six in Spain and two in Italy. The company has recorded total sales of EUR12.5 million in 2018, this has been mainly driven by the adoption of a 1,800 strong fleet of new mobile homes placed within idyllic locations.
The European Campaign Group, which experienced growth through multiple acquisitions by The Carlyle Group
Cairngorm Capital Partners has acquired timber merchant Arnold Laver & Co Limited, which, with Cairngorm Capital’s other timber brands; Thornbridge, North Yorkshire Timber and Rembrand will create the largest independent timber business in the UK.
Revenues are close to GBP250 million for the combined business, which will now be known collectively as The National Timber Group.
Headquartered in Sheffield, Arnold Laver is a family run company established in 1920. It imports, distributes and manufactures a wide range of timber, panels, decorative surfaces and joinery products, serving public and private sector construction, house-building and commercial companies. Its customers include blue
BlaBlaCar, a long-distance carpooling platform, has made an offer to acquire Ouibus, a subsidiary of SNCF and French bus operator. This will allow BlaBlaCar to broaden, for the first time, its mobility offer beyond carpooling.
BlaBlaCar has also announced a EUR101 million investment involving SNCF and existing BlaBlaCar investors.
BlaBlaCar has built a long-distance carpooling community of over 65 million members in 22 countries. Since August 2017, it has helped to transport 50 million passengers worldwide, growing 40 per cent year-on-year. The platform now wishes to complement its vast carpooling offer with buses, and become the go-to global marketplace
Avaloq, a global provider of Software as a Service (SaaS) and Business Process as a Service (BPaaS) solutions to banks and wealth managers, has launched Avaloq Ventures AG, which will provide access to venture capital funding and growth support for start-ups and fast-growing fintech businesses.
Avaloq Ventures will enable funding for fintechs partnering with Avaloq, e.g. by offering their solutions on Avaloq’s Software Exchange. It will be led by Minho Roth, an alternative investments and fintech entrepreneur with unparalleled experience in funding start-ups. Avaloq Founder and Group Chairman Francisco Fernandez will be Chairman.
Zurich-headquartered Avaloq Ventures will look to
Mid-year figures from Jersey’s regulator show that the Jersey Private Fund structure (JPF), launched last year, is continuing to show strong appeal across alternative asset classes.
According to statistics collated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission (JFSC), 130 JPFs had been established by 30 June this year holding combined total assets under management (AUM) of GBP19.4 billion.
The figures also show that around half of the AUM figure (48 per cent) is attributed to infrastructure, debt and credit funds, whilst hedge funds account for almost a third (29 per cent). Private equity and venture capital funds make up 16
OpenGate Capital, a global private equity firm, has completed the acquisition of AICO, an Italian manufacturer of residential stoves, fireplaces, boilers and cookers from Ambienta SGR, a European private equity group. Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.
OpenGate Capital Founder and CEO, Andrew Nikou, says: “An integral part of our full potential operational strategy is to drive value into the businesses we acquire through add-on acquisitions that have the potential of offering new products or can provide access to new markets. AICO represents these elements and we are excited with the opportunity to expand on Jøtul’s rising growth
Motive Partners, a global private equity firm focussed on growth investing, has acquired a controlling interest in LPA.
Headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany, and founded in 1999, LPA is a financial technology solutions provider with a focus on capital markets and wealth management participants. LPA offers a broad suite of software to optimise processes and enable regulatory compliance, as well as providing strategic advice and implementation services. The announced transaction follows strong financial results at LPA, with the company having experienced significant revenue and profitability growth in recent years.
LPA’s core products are a suite of technology solutions enabling automated
Events
12 November, 2026 – 8:00 am
12 November, 2026 – 5:00 pm
