Articles by Anita Davis
United Technologies may edge out PE for FirePro buyout
US-based United Technologies has reportedly emerged as the front runner to buy Bangalore-based fire-protection firm FirePro Systems for $200 million – an asset that is said to also have been courted by global private equity firms.
KKR appoints former director of India's central bank as senior advisor
KKR has appointed former director of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) D.S. Brar as a senior advisor in India, charged with providing input on the firm’s Asia portfolio management committee.
Milestone's board to decide on Arya's successor
Milestone Capital’s board of directors will reportedly meet in the coming days to appoint a successor to CEO Ved Prakash Arya, who died last week when a coconut tree collapsed on him.
Former GIC executive director elected president of Singapore
Former executive director at Government of Singapore Investment Corp. (GIC) Tony Tan has been elected the seventh president of Singapore, beating second-place Tan Cheng Bock by a margin of 0.3%.
Milestone Capital's Ved Prakash Arya killed in accident
Ved Prakash Arya, managing director and CEO of Milestone Capital Advisors, died in an accident Thursday near his Mumbai home. He was 42 and is survived by his wife and two children.
Carlyle invests $26m in Indian affordable housing firm
The Carlyle Group has committed $26 million to Value & Budget Housing Corporation (VBHC), a constructor and developer of affordable housing in India
PE-owned Fitness First approved for Singapore listing
Singaporean regulators have reportedly granted UK-based BC Partners approval to launch its portfolio company Fitness First on the Singapore Stock Exchange. It comes more than a year after the private equity firm announced that it would take Fitness First...
Prudential, Fosun approved for China insurance JV
The China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC) has approved US-based Prudential Financial's plans to set up a joint venture life insurance unit with conglomerate Fosun Group. This extends a partnership between the two companies that already includes...
Apax among global buyouts targeting India's FirePro
Apax Partners is among the global private equity firms considering a $200 million buyout of Bangalore-based fire-protection firm FirePro Systems, India’s Business Standard reported – capital that the company itself hopes will elevate its operations to...
Bright Food finally seals overseas acquisition
China's Bright Food Group is set to acquire a 75% stake in CHAMP Private Equity-controlled Manassen Foods, finally making a breakthrough in its long-held but often thwarted ambitions to take a significant step into overseas markets. The parties did not...
China's outbound investments increase 40% in H1 2011
Outbound Chinese M&A activity rose 40% in H1 2011 from the same period in 2010, Robert W. Baird & Co. announced in its China M&A Market report, translating to a 50% rise in the collective deals’ value.
Spring Capital makes two executive hires
Greater China growth investor Spring Capital Asia has bolstered its operational team, hiring Guosen He as senior director and Xiaoning Liu as senior director and head of legal.
PE-backed Taikang Life looks to IPO within three years
China’s fifth-largest insurance firm Taikang Life, which is 12%-owned by Goldman Sachs, is slated to list in Shanghai and Hong Kong within the next three years, Dongsheng Chen, the company’s chairman, told local media
Nexus Venture Partners prepares for $250m third fund
Nexus Venture Partners will reportedly launch the fundraising process for a $250 million fund early next year. It will be the private equity firm's third vehicle.
Korean government suspends Woori sale process
The Korean government has suspended the auction of its 57% stake in Woori Finance Holdings after MBK Partners materialized as the sole bidder for the asset. This is the second time the government has tried and failed to exit its holding in Woori, which...
Bain emerges as winner in MYOB auction
Bain Capital is to acquire Australian business software maker MYOB from Archer Capital and HarbourVest Partners for approximately A$1.2 billion ($1.3 billion). It outbid private equity rival KKR and UK software maker Sage, which was earlier said to be...
Lombard exits Thai mall developer for 7.1x return
Lombard Investments has exited its stake Thai shopping mall developer Central Pattana via a sale to local and institutional investors, earning $170 million, or a 7.1x return on its $24 million investment.
Woori sale up in the air as MBK emerges as sole bidder
The sale of the Korean government’s stake in Woori Finance Holdings has been called into question after a consortium led by MBK Partners emerged as the sole bidder for the asset.
Sage set to acquire PE-owned MYOB
UK software maker Sage is believed to have acquired Australian accounting software company MYOB from private equity owners Archer Capital and HarbourVest Partners, beating Bain Capital and KKR, sources close to the auction tell AVCJ.
Funds back India's rising cleantech sector
IDFC Private Equity and International Finance Corp. (IFC), the World Bank’s investment arm, reaffirmed their commitment to India’s clean energy sector in two separate deals announced last week. The transactions come a few weeks after a UN Environment...
Turnarounds in Thailand
Any discussion of private equity opportunities in Southeast Asia seems to hone in on Indonesia. Rich in commodities and with high household consumption levels, the country is perceived as large and lucrative enough for big ticket transactions. Thailand...
Tudou raises $174m in NASDAQ IPO
Venture capital-backed Chinese video site Tudou has raised $174 million through its NASDAQ IPO, surpassing the $100-150 million target it set earlier this year.
China Life recieves PE investment license - report
Chinese insurance major China Life has been granted a license to raise a private equity fund, China’s 21st Century Business Herald first reported, and has targeted its first investment.
TStone may not bid for Woori - report
Uncertainty surrounds South Korean private equity firm TStone's participation in the auction for Woori Finance Holdings after executives alluded that the firm may drop out of the first round of bidding, which is slated to start today.