About

Marc was editor of GrowthBusiness from 2006 to 2010. He specialised in writing about entrepreneurs, private equity and venture capital, mid-market M&A, small caps and high-growth businesses.

News

Guy Blackburn joins Matrix

Matrix Private Equity Partners has appointed Guy Blackburn as investment manager.

News

Braveheart backs EctoPharma

EctoPharma, a developer of non-toxic pesticides, has received investment from Braveheart Investment Group as part of a £2 million funding round. The company will use the funding to complete clinical trails on its chief product KindaPed, which treats head lice.

News

Cool deal for RACO Group

Specialist Heat Exchangers, a designer and manufacturer of cooling systems for the automotive and industrial sectors, has been bought by an Italian automotive business. RACO Group has added the Lincoln-based company to its operations after agreeing a £9 million deal.

Mergers & Acquisitions

With M&A the devil is in the details

When doing deals banks can make the same mistakes as any other company, such as failing to align systems, processes and management.

News

ISIS Equity Partners in £17.25 million exit

ISIS Equity Partners has exited Martin Audio, a loudspeaker supplier to bands including Take That and The Killers. The move follows audio product company LOUD Technologies’ acquisition of Martin Audio for £17.25 million.

News

Esterform to continue acquisition spree

A Worcestershire bottle-maker is on the acquisition trail after securing more than £30 million to develop its business. Esterform Packaging, which supplies its products to the UK’s beverage industry, secured the funds from Gresham Private Equity with debt provided by Lloyds TSB.

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TruckEast in BIMBO

Commercial vehicle dealership TruckEast has been acquired in a £10 million buy-in management buy-out funded by Glitnir Integrated Finance.

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Food Partners buys rival for £22 million

Food Partners, a pre-packed sandwich manufacturer, has strengthened its business in the food service sector after buying one of its rivals.

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DataSMS joins PLUS

Telecoms services provider DataSMS Holdings has joined PLUS Markets as the company seeks to accelerate its growth strategy. On admission, DataSMS had 7.5 million shares in issue, giving the company a market capitalisation of £840,000.

News

Piper backs Bottlegreen buy-out

Gloucestershire-based Woodchester Enterprises, which trades as Bottlegreen, has been taken over by three of its directors after Kit and Shireen Morris decided to exit the business they established almost 20 years ago.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Indian acquisitions in the UK mid-market – Beneath the headlines

Indian businesses completed overseas deals worth $10 billion in 2006, but it is the UK mid-market where the country's influence is most felt.

News

PLUS admission for Secure Fortress

Telecommunications provider Secure Fortress has joined PLUS Markets. The company placed some 110.5 million shares at 13p each. Its clients include the United States Department of Defence, federal agencies and private institutions.