Morning all, Craig McGlashan here with the Europe Wire from the London newsroom.
We start with an interview with HarbourVest’s Alex Wolf about potential opportunities in European M&A this year, as well as any effects if Europe is hit by tariffs from the US.
Next, we have the latest on Bridgepoint’s take-private of ‘Office of the CFO’ service provider Esker.
That tees us up for a look at whether take-privates will keep up their strong momentum in 2025 in the face of higher public market valuations.
Caution
I spoke to Alex Wolf, a managing director in HarbourVest’s London office who focuses on partnership investments in buyout, growth and venture capital in Europe and emerging markets, about the dealmaking outlook for Europe, including in the face of potential US tariffs on European goods.
HarbourVest is a global private markets firm with offices “from Boston to Beijing.” It had more than $138 billion AUM as of September 30.
Read the interview in the premium version of the Wire.
Take-private takeaways
Bridgepoint has hit the thresholds on its tender offer for ‘Office of the CFO’ service provider Eskeralongside General Atlantic and management shareholders. But there are signs that while such take-private deals remain popular, there could be a dip in activity this year.
Find out more in the premium version of the Wire.
The comparative premiums paid by private equity firms running take-privates in the UK and US was a trend I investigated in this piece at the tail end of last year.
What’s your outlook for take-privates this year? Plenty of opportunities still or drying up? Get in touch at craig.m@pei.group
Note: Bridgepoint owns PEI Group, the publisher of PE Hub.
That’s everything from me today. Rafael Canton will bring you the US Wire later today and Nina Lindholm will be on Europe duty tomorrow.
Cheers,
Craig
Read the full Wire commentary on PE Hub ...
