Longbow Capital is launching the Longbow Growth and Income VCT, a tax-efficient investment vehicle offering investors the opportunity to invest in a portfolio of innovative British life enhancement and wellbeing companies. The VCT aims to invest in 15-30 unquoted companies with a particular emphasis on products that can be distributed through Longbow’s link to Boots and the Boots Centre for Innovation (BCI). The VCT is targeting to raise GBP10 million and the offer closes on 5 April for 2010/11 tax year and on 30 June 2011 for the 2011/12 tax year. The product is available through Hargreaves Lansdowne and other

Global private equity firm The Riverside Company has acquired German auto accessory firm Rameder Anhängerkupplungen und Autoteile (Rameder). Rameder is a market leader in the distribution of automotive carrier systems and related accessories in Germany. The firm offers tow bars for almost any make and model car sold in Europe. In 2009, the company sold approximately 200,000 tow bars. In addition, Rameder also offers roof racks, bicycle racks, ski boxes and other carrying accessories.   Complementing its headquarters in Germany, Rameder has operations in Austria and Poland, giving the firm a strong foothold in Central and Eastern Europe. The Company

Private equity investor Trevor Bayley, one of the founding partners of HgCapital, is backing a management takeover of Scottish recycling business Redeem. The management buy-in (MBI) of Redeem is being led by Curt Hopkins and Pete Petrondas, who assume the roles of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) respectively.  Hopkins and Petrondas will invest in the deal with backing from Bayley, who will be non executive Chairman.   Hopkins and Petrondas bring a wealth of sector experience to Redeem. It is this level of knowledge and expertise that they believe puts them in a very strong position

Newly formed private equity firm Quaestus Capital is to focus on the emerging asset management sector. Led by Les Hollis, with 20 years of investing, operating and fundraising experience, Quaestus will invest in asset management firms and actively work with firms to optimise their fundraising, talent recruitment, operations and overall performance. MacFarlane Partners, led by Victor MacFarlane, who has 31 years of real estate experience in property development, acquisitions, asset management and portfolio management on behalf of some of the world’s largest pension plans and institutions leads the equity investment in Quaestus Capital. MacFarlane will also serve as a member

The Riverside Company has acquired Orliman, a Spanish manufacturer and distributor of non-invasive orthopaedic braces and supports.   The global orthopaedic device market is valued at EUR16.1 billion.    Orliman, founded in 1980 and headquartered in Valencia, is makes and distributes devices that support patients’ lower limbs and torsos. All Orliman products are traded under its proprietary brand names and bear IBV certification. Orliman recorded sales of approximately EUR14 million in 2010.    Having completed more than 250 acquisitions since 1988, Riverside is a well-established generalist investor. However, the firm has developed specialties in select industries. With over 50 acquisitions

Microvisk Technologies, the developer of a handheld system to monitor the blood clotting status of patients taking the drug Warfarin, has raised GBP6 million through a rights issue to existing investors in an oversubscribed round. This is the third successful funding round for Microvisk, which has secured GBP10.5m in the past 12 months – the largest amount raised by a UK life science company.   The round included investment from Porton Capital, Oxford Technology Management, New Hill (Boston, USA), Midven, the Rainbow Seed Fund, Finance Wales and private investors. Previous rounds in 2010 saw Microvisk attract GBP4.5m from new and

The Carlyle Group is to acquire AlpInvest from APG and PGGM through a strategic joint venture with the management of AlpInvest. The transaction will comprise 100% of the share capital of AlpInvest and will enable AlpInvest, APG and PGGM to pursue their own respective multi-client strategies. APG and PGGM will continue to be the anchor clients of AlpInvest. Financial terms of the transaction, which is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close in March 2011, have not been released. Volkert Doeksen, CEO of AlpInvest, says: “Carlyle is a strong, long-term partner for AlpInvest. This is critical given the

Intermediate Capital Group (ICG), the FTSE 250 listed investment firm and asset manager with EUR12 billion under management, together with Exponent Private Equity has agreed to finance the acquisition of Premier Foods’ meat free division Marlow Foods for GBP205 million.

 ICG is providing junior debt and equity financing of GBP80 million, from its balance sheet and third party funds. 

Marlow Foods is the UK market leader in the meat alternative segment selling chilled and frozen products under the Quorn and Cauldron brands. For the year to 31 December 2010, the business is expected to report sales of GBP128.8 million and