| Morning all, Craig McGlashan here with the Europe Wire from the London newsroom. With the end of the year fast approaching thoughts are turning to what food to stock in fridges to get through the festive period. This morning, we take a look at what’s been driving private equity interest in food and beverage companies this year. Next we have IK Partners becoming the latest private equity firm to invest in an accounting business, as it agrees to acquire a majority stake in a company from Horizon Capital. Finally, we have Lonsdale Capital Partners investing in two new healthcare buy-and-build platforms in the private homecare and dental sectors. Changing tastes The food and beverage sector has had to adapt to changing customer spending due to inflation and interest rates, writes PE Hub’s Nina Lindholm this morning. Private equity has managed to find attractive trends within the market, despite these challenges, and the sector has seen plenty of deal activity in 2024. Find out the trends in the premium version of the Wire. Accounting play Private equity firms are snapping up accounting companies at a rapid clip. This morning, IK Partners agreed to acquire a majority stake in Dains Accountants, a provider of accounting and business advisory services in the UK, from Horizon Capital. Read about more recent accounting deals in the premium version of the Wire. Buy-and-build Lonsdale Capital Partners has invested in two new healthcare buy-and-build platforms in the private homecare and dental sectors. Find out more in the premium version of the Wire. OK that’s a wrap from me today. Nina Lindholm is on holiday the rest of this week so I’ll be on Europe Wire duty tomorrow, while MK Flynn will bring you the US edition today as usual. Cheers, Craig Read the full Wire commentary on PE Hub ... | 