The CHAMP III Fund, advised by CHAMP Private Equity, has completed its acquisition of an 80% interest in Accolade Wines, formerly known as Constellation Wines Australia and Europe. Announced in December 2010, the acquisition from Constellation Brands Inc (CBI) is valued at approximately AUD290 million. Accolade Wines has a comprehensive portfolio of global brands covering a diverse range of styles and price points. Its well known brands include, in Australia, Hardys, Houghton, Banrock Station, Berri, Stanley and Omni; in South Africa, Kumala and Fish Hoek; and Echo Falls from the USA. Accolade Wines also holds a 50% interest in one

AXA Private Equity is acquiring a 22% stake in the capital of FitnessBoutique, the on and off-line specialist in the sale of fitness equipment and food supplements.  AXA Private Equity will support FitnessBoutique as it accelerates its organic growth over the next 18 months, with the aim of becoming a market leader in Europe in the rapidly-expanding Fitness industry.   Founded in 1999, the Grenoble-based business, FitnessBoutique.fr, was the first company to operate a website in France dedicated to fitness, training equipment and dietetic products. A leader in the French market, the company has expanded across Europe into Spain, Italy,

Arma Partners acted as exclusive financial adviser to the shareholders of goviral A/S (goviral) on the sale of the company to AOL Inc (NYSE:AOL) (AOL) for total consideration of USD96.7m.   AOL completed the purchase of goviral for USD74.1 million and, in addition, USD22.6 million of consideration will be deferred and paid over two years following completion.   goviral distributes branded video content across the Internet for some of the world’s largest and most esteemed brands, media agencies, creative agencies and content producers. goviral will retain its offices in the UK, Germany, France, Denmark, Sweden and Spain – and further

Falcon Group, an entity controlled by funds managed or advised by Mid Europa Partners has completed the sale of České Radiokomunikace, as (CRa) to a consortium of funds managed by Macquarie for a total consideration of approximately EUR574 million. CRa is the leading provider of nation-wide broadcasting and telecommunications tower infrastructure in the Czech Republic. The agreement to sell CRa was first announced on 6 December 2010. Mid Europa and its consortium partners acquired CRa together with a 39.2% stake in T-Mobile Czech Republic (TMCZ) in 2006. However the stake in TMCZ is not part of this transaction and will

The Kula Fund II Limited, managed by Pacific Capital Partners Limited, has secured an impressive 36% internal rate return for its investors through the sale of its stake in Data Nets Limited (DNL), the telecommunications company based in Papua New Guinea. DNL is one of the leading providers of both telecommunication and internet services in the Pacific, specifically covering Papua New Guinea and Fiji.   Aureos Capital Limited is a private equity fund management company specialising in investing in small to medium sized businesses in emerging markets.   DNL was acquired by the Digicel group, a Central American and South

Global private equity firm Advent International has agreed to make a GBP200 million investment in Towergate Partnership Limited (Towergate), Europe’s largest independent insurance intermediary.   Founded in 1997, Towergate provides both specialist personal and commercial insurance products to individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through its sister company, Cullum Capital Ventures (CCV), and its group of companies which include Towergate Underwriting, Paymentshield, Broker Network and Towergate Financial.  Towergate’s operations cover all aspects of insurance distribution and underwriting, with the exception of capital provision.   The business distributes over 200 insurance products, generates more than GBP2 billion of gross written

Future Capital Partners, the GBP6 billion alternative investment boutique, has launched two funds – an EIS and a VCT – to capitalise on both the high growth potential of the renewable energy investment sector and the firm’s expert knowledge of clean energy investment. The new products will offer investors access to low risk opportunities within the renewable energy, energy efficiency and waste recycling fields. The vehicles will target renewable energy companies that have a long-term track record, strong business plans and growth potential supported by government legislation and subsidies. Specifically, the vehicles intend to invest in wind, biomass, landfill gas

Committed Capital’s new venture capital trust is targeting private equity investment into promising high growth, smaller UK companies and take advantage of an exceptional market opportunity, significant tax benefits and the proven track record of Committed Capital’s team of investment professionals.   The fund is seeking to raise between GBP3 million and GBP25 million and will focus on investing in companies where an exit within three or four years is reasonably foreseeable. The fund will close on 31 May 2011. There will be a discount for investors who commit the first GBP3 million.   The Directors of Committed Capital VCT