Bridgepoint Capital and Barclays lift private equity

There were new signs of a resurgence in the private equity market today, as Bridgepoint Capital and Barclays Private Equity made separate deals worth more than £250 million.

Barclays Private Equity sold Deb Group, which makes cleaning products including Swarfega, to Charterhouse for £325 million.

The price tag meant Barclays, which is gearing up to raise funds and spin off the private-equity business, made more than five times its investment.

Charterhouse financed the deal through shares and bank debt from a group of lenders.

Bridgepoint spent £281 million bidding for Footsie-listed care homes and GP practices provider Care UK.

It offered investors 450p for each Care UK share, a 9.2% premium on the stock's price at the market's close yesterday.

Care UK's board said investors planned to vote in favour.