Sanu Desai probably knows venture-backed M&A as well as any investment banker, and as the year winds down, we asked for Desai’s perspective on the sluggish tech M&A market, private company valuations and what sectors he expects will drive deals in 2013.

London-based independent investment bank Torch Partners has expanded into the US market with the opening of its San Francisco office. The firm has hired Sanu Desai as managing director there.

Torch Partners, a European investment banks focusing on the technology media and telecoms sector, has expanded with the opening of an office in Germany. The new office, based in Berlin, will enable Torch Partners to service the expanding pool of entrepreneurs, corporates and investors focused on high growth opportunities in Germany.

Secret Escapes, an online luxury travel club, has secured 8 million pounds ($12.9 million) of new funding. Index Ventures led the funding round with participation from existing investors Octopus Ventures and Atlas Venture. Torch Partners advised Secret Escapes on the fundraising.