News

17 April 2013

Harwood Private Equity acquires TeamRock

Harwood Private Equity has backed TeamRock Limited in its successful acquisition of the leading music listening publishing titles "Classic Rock" and "Metal Hammer". This represents the first step in Team Rock’s strategy to create a global publishing, radio and digital content offering to appeal to rock fans around the world. TeamRock is led by executive chairman John Myers, a leading figure in the UK radio industry, and CEO Billy Anderson. Jeremy Brade, who led the transaction on behalf of Harwood Private Equity, said: “We are delighted to support the acquisition of the publishing titles and to back the management team with its ambitious plans for the business”.

31 December 2012

Harwood Private Equity acquires Utitec

Utitec Holdings Inc. is the leader in its field of manufacturing precision metal components used primarily in the assembly of cardiological, endoscopic and orthopaedic medical instruments. The company employs unique stamping processes to produce miniature parts. It has significant European sales and a strong US client base of global medical and electronic device suppliers. The Utitec management team will be led by executive chairman Carl Contadini, the CEO of a previous Harwood Private Equity investment. Commenting on the acquisition, Geoffrey Gorman of Harwood Private Equity, who led the transaction and who will join the board of Utitec, said: “We are very pleased to have acquired Utitec. We see a very clear opportunity to enhance production efficiencies, tool new products, recover the company’s position in the non-medical sector, and possibly grow through acquisition. We are enthusiastic about the potential.”

30 December 2012

Celsis sells Analytical Services division

Celsis sold its Analytical Services division to a trade buyer. The division, which is non-core to Celsis, provides outsourced analytical laboratory services to the pharmaceutical and consumer products industries. Celsis now consists of two divisions – Rapid Detection and In-Vitro Technologies. Harwood Private Equity acquired the business in 2009 in a public-to-private transaction.

1 July 2012

Keith Jelley takes over Harwood Private Equity’s financial and operational organisation

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Keith Jelley as chief financial officer of Harwood Private Equity and partner with responsibility for operational matters. Keith has taken over the roles of both Rob Barrett and Faye Foster and will handle financial, partnership and reporting affairs. Keith previously held senior positions at other UK private equity fund management organisations. Commenting on the appointment, Jeremy Brade said, “We are delighted that Keith has joined us. He brings a wealth of experience to our financial and operational activities and will strengthen our procedures and services to limited partners. At the same time we are very sorry to see both Rob Barrett and Faye Foster depart. Their long service to the private equity team throughout the life of three funds, their high professional standards and their warmth as friends and colleagues will be missed ”

2 April 2012

Maarten Hemsley retires from Harwood Private Equity

Maarten Hemsley retired at the end of March after a long and successful career as a senior member of the private equity team. He joined the firm in 2001 to manage Leisure & Media VCT plc, and was a senior fund manager of TPE2. Maarten served as a non-executive director of numerous portfolio companies and was involved in all elements of the investment programme. Commenting on Maarten’s departure, Jeremy Brade said, “We are very sorry to lose Maarten. He leaves a gap as a professional member of the team, as a trusted colleague, and as a longstanding friend. His legacy is one of excellence. He has our utmost appreciation for his contribution to the successes of the last ten years. We all wish Maarten a very long and happy retirement.”

2 April 2012

Geoffrey Gorman joins Harwood Private Equity

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Geoffrey Gorman to the team as a senior representative. Geoffrey is a longstanding associate of Harwood Private Equity and its predecessor JOHCM Private Equity and has been closely involved with our team in the past on a number of investments, particularly cross border public-to-private transactions. Geoffrey is a US resident and will take up responsibilities for originating, executing and monitoring transactions and will provide a direct link to our US investor base. Commenting on the appointment, Christopher Mills said, “We are delighted with Geoffrey’s arrival. He enhances our resources in an important area of activity, particularly since many of our private equity transactions have substantial United States operations. He will also bring a wealth of experience to our wider investment strategy. Geoffrey has worked closely with the team in the past and I am certain he will have a significant influence on our future success.”

27 October 2011

Harwood Private Equity

We are pleased to announce that Harwood Private Equity is now established as our new brand. This follows the acquisition of J O Hambro Capital Management Limited (JOHCM) by Australian fund management group BT Investment Management Limited (BTIM). The private equity division of JOHCM, known as JOHCM Private Equity, was not acquired by BTIM. It has adopted the new brand to mark the switch of ownership from JOHCM to Harwood Capital Management. In all respects the day-to-day management of the Trident Private Equity funds remains entirely unchanged. Limited Partners of the funds need take no action. The underlying vehicle for advising TPE2 and managing TPE3 remains North Atlantic Value LLP. The investment team is wholly the same and continues in the same premises. Our contact details remain unchanged until further notice

22 June 2011

JOHCM Private Equity invests in OpenBet Technologies

JOHCM Private Equity is pleased to announce its investment in OpenBet Technologies Limited ("OpenBet"). Headquartered in London, with satellite offices in Australia, North America, China, India and Macau, OpenBet is a leading provider of solutions that facilitate betting and playing online games in multiple languages, currencies, and across numerous channels. Other OpenBet systems allow customers to bet on the outcome of live events with the betting odds offered by major bookmakers. The company generates revenues from recurring licence and maintenance fees; from ongoing software development; and from revenue-sharing agreements. OpenBet's platform and products are used by an expanding range of gaming operators in addition to traditional bookmakers and online gaming specialists. Commenting on the acquisition, Jeremy Brade, a senior partner at JOHCM Private Equity who will join the board of OpenBet, said: "We are very pleased to have invested in OpenBet and look forward to working with the management team, and the lead investor. We are very encouraged by the strength of the company's products and market position, and enthusiastic about the opportunity for significant growth."