Advent International has hired advisers to prepare a sale of Poundland, the UK discount retailer.

Primary Capital has acquired software and data services business Amtech from HSBC Private Equity in a deal worth £35m (€38.5m). Lloyds provided £15m of debt for the deal.

HgCapital Trust, the listed investment trust that invests in HgCapital funds, has launched a share placing on the London Stock Exchange to raise £50m (€55.07m).

The Institutional Limited Partners Association (ILPA) has written to Michel Barnier, the new EU internal market commissioner, warning that the AIFM directive could cut off European private equity from the industry in the rest of the world.

Cognetas has promoted Antoine de Péguilhan to the position of investment manager.

Finnish private equity fund-of-funds manager Pohjola Private Equity Funds has reached a first closing on its second private equity fund, raising a total of €97m.

HgCapital has entered exclusive talks to buy John Laithwaite, the commercial laundry-equipment supplier, in deal that could value the business at £150m (€165m).

The California Public Employees’ Retirement System has appointed Janine Guillot as its new chief operating investment officer.

Global law firm Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge has appointed Shawn Atkinson as a partner in the firm's private equity and venture capital practice in London.

Sun European Partners, the European adviser to Sun Capital Partners, has appointed David Culpan as vice-president of capital markets.