Investment banks Lazard and Messier Maris have been mandated to sell Maisons du Monde, a furniture store chain owned by private equity firms Apax and LBO France, writes Reuters. Lazard and Messier Maris, the boutique bank controlled by former Vivendi chief executive Jean-Marie Messier, were chosen last week to run the process, writes Reuters.

Doug Lawson has joined Lazard Middle Market, a unit of Lazard, as an MD and head of packaging within the industrials group. He is based in Chicago. Most recently, Lawson was an MD wand head of the packaging group at BMO Capital Markets in Chicago.

Outdoor Channel Holdings said Friday it is merging with InterMedia Outdoors Holdings, which controls The Sportman Channel. Press reports pegged the deal value at $208 million in cash and stock. InterMedia Partners, the PE firm, owns InterMedia Outdoors. The Sportsman Channel is a cable TV network for outdoor enthusiasts. InterMedia will have a majority stake in IMOH and own, along with minority members of IMOH, 67.6%. Outdoor Channel stockholders are expected to own approximately 32.4% of IMOH. CIT Communications, Media & Entertainment is providing $150 million in financing. Lazard provided financial advice to Outdoor Channel Holdings.

Edward Yorke has joined Lazard as an MD, financial advisory and head of North America financial sponsors. He will be based in New York and work closely with Fotis Hasiotis, Lazard’s head of European financial sponsors in London. Yorke joins from Credit Suisse where he was an MD and Vice Chairman, Investment Banking, Americas.

Steve Beck and Jamie Frommelt have joined Craig-Hallum Capital Group as MDs and coheads of mergers and acquisitions. Both were recently at Lazard Middle Market and its predecessor Goldsmith Agio Helms. Beck was an MD and co-head of Lazard Middle Market’s industrial group. Frommelt was also an MD and co-head of Lazard Middle Market’s consumer group.

Frontier Capital spent 18 months raising its third fund, which collected $250 million.

Ryan O’Toole has joined Houlihan Lokey as a director in the Aerospace•Defense•Government (ADG) Group. O’Toole was most recently a director at Lazard Frères & Co. PRESS RELEASE Houlihan Lokey, an international investment bank, today announced that Ryan O’Toole has joined the firm as a Director in the Aerospace•Defense•Government (ADG) Group. Mr. O’Toole, formerly of Lazard, [...]

Two financial restructuring advisors have been appointed to search for a private equity cash injection to keep indebted Danish shipping company Torm alive, writes Reuters. M&A advisory and asset management firm Lazard had been appointed to work for the creditors and Evercore had been appointed to work for Torm, reports Reuters. Reuters – Two financial [...]

The Carlyle Group and Hellman & Friedman have completed their $3.9 billion deal to buy Pharmaceutical Product Development. The deal was approved by PPD shareholders on Nov. 30. Morgan Stanley advised PPD while Lazard provided a fairness opinion. Credit Suisse provided financial advice to Carlyle and Hellman & Friedman.

Lazard Ltd hired Timothy M. George to join the bank’s Financial Advisory business. George was previously a founding partner of boutique investment bank Greenhill & Co and a member of its management committee.