Robert Venes

Mecom, the AIM-listed, media investment group, has acquired another European publisher with the purchase of Norway’s Orkla Media Group.

California-based early-stage investor Lightspeed Venture Partners has hired partner Yoni Cheifetez to focus on opportunities in the Israeli technology market.

European buyout firm Bridgepoint has sold its five-year investment in Swedish car park operator Carpark for approximately €325m.

The private equity arm of Italian insurer Generali Group plans to raise up to €2.7 billion for Generali Global Private Equity, its fund of funds.

Helsinki Stock Exchange-listed CapMan has sold a 12.5 percent stake in Access Capital Partners, a French private equity fund of funds investor, as the firm approaches its hard cap for two new funds of funds.

French mid-market firm Pragma Capital has acquired Barclays Private Equity’s 80 percent stake in La Croissanterie, France’s second-largest sandwich chain.

Market conditions appear to have impacted upon another private-equity backed flotation, with KKR and Siemens slashing the amount they plan to raise for German crane maker Demag by €192m.

The Irish Bank and the US private equity specialist have partnered to provide advisory services and fund of fund products.

The quoted trust vehicle of Dunedin Capital Partners has reported a profit of £24m on sales of £70m for the year ended 30 April 2006.

Sir Ronald Cohen and John Moulton have warned that the aggressive levels of debt being put into European buyouts could trigger a market correction.