Apex Group, a global financial services provider, has expanded its ESG Ratings & Advisory Services offering with the launch of a new diversity, equity, equality and inclusion (DEI) solution for private markets investors. Global movements such as #MeToo and Black Lives Matter have highlighted inequity in society, putting pressure on businesses and investors to accurately report DEI data. Apex Group’s DEI Solution helps clients to collect, evaluate and improve on their DEI practices. This enables investors and their portfolio companies to overcome the myriad challenges faced when collecting sensitive data and identifying any gaps in their DEI approach.   Data

Quickparts, a specialist in on-demand manufacturing services offering custom 3D printing and traditional manufacturing capabilities, and a portfolio company of Trilantic North America formed in partnership with George Votis, Avi Reichental and Ziad Abou, has acquired Xcentric Mold & Engineering (Xcentric), an innovator of on-demand digital manufacturing.  Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.   Xcentric provides a wide breadth of quick-turn digital injection molding and CNC solutions, from rapid prototyping to product creation at scale. With nearly 100 full-time employees and 60,000 square feet of manufacturing space, Xcentric will expand Quickparts’ capabilities and expertise to deliver injection molding,

Energy Capital Partners has acquired UK waste management company Biffa in a £1.3 billion deal. The Biffa Group operates across the waste management process, including surplus redistribution, recycling, treatment, energy generation, collection and disposal.

Software investment giant Thoma Bravo and rival private equity investor TPG have their sights set on acquiring Workvia, a provider of software for regulatory, financial and ESG reporting, according to a report by Bloomberg. The report cites unnamed sources as confirming that the two companies are on a list of firms to have held talks with direct lenders over a potential acquisition own the business. A transaction has yet to be agreed and it’s possible talks could collapse.  Workiva, which had a market valuation of around £3.5 billion before Bloomberg broke news of the takeover interest, saw it shares soar

Private equity giant EQT is to take Billtrust private again in a $1.7 billion deal less than two years after the automated payments specialist listed on Nasdaq via a SPAC merger, according to a report by AltAssets. Billtrust, which provides cloud-based B2B accounts receivable automation and integrated payments, was previously financed by Goldman Sachs Private Capital Investing and Bain Capital Ventures, but became a listed business in January 2021 through a merger valued at $1.3 billion with the South Mountain Merger Corp SPAC. Billtrust’s share price was as high as $16.90 in February of last year, but slumped to less

Funds advised by Equistone Partners Europe (Equistone) have acquired a majority stake in SF Filter AG, a European independent distribution platform for mobile and industrial filters, from existing investor Ambienta. The group’s management will hold a significant stake in the company through an MBO.  The partnership with Equistone will focus on expanding the platform’s existing growth and developing a targeted buy-&-build strategy. The parties have agreed not to disclose details of the transaction. Established in 1968, SF Filter AG has grown to become one of Europe’s leading independent distribution platforms specialising in filtration. From its headquarters in the Swiss town