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Hiroshi Matsumoto, who leads the Japanese operations of private equity firm Advent International, is retiring from the company, Reuters reported. Yoji Anzai, a partner with the firm, will take on Matsumoto’s responsibilities on a temporary basis, Reuters said. Advent opened its office in Tokyo nine years ago, and closed its first Japan fund in 2008 with $718 million.

Middle-market private equity firm MidOcean Partners has bought an undisclosed stake in outdoor advertising billboard company Olympus Holdings Group. The investment helped support Olympus’ recent acquisition of another billboard company, Collins Outdoor Advertising. Olympus is also backed by Goldman Sachs. MidOcean Partners has offices in New York and London. Olympus is based in Alpharetta, Ga.

Pharmaceutical company Axcan Holdings will pay $583 million, or $12 per share, to acquire specialty pharmaceutical company Eurand, Reuters reported. The deal represents a 9% premium over Eurand’s closing price Tuesday. The acquisition is expected to close during the second quarter of 2011. Axcan is a portfolio company of private equity firm TPG Capital.

Los Angeles-based private equity firm The Gores Group has agreed to sell Vinotech Holdings to Mitsubishi Electric for an undisclosed amount. No terms of the deal were released, though the firm said the acquisition would close by the end of this year. Germany-based Vinotech manufactures low-power devices used in solar power system applications. Gores purchased the company from Tyco Electronics in 2007.

New York-based private equity firm Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe has named William Eisenbeis to the post of senior industry executive. At the firm, Eisenbeis will focus on financial technology and services investments, helping source deals, conducting due diligence and monitoring portfolio companies. Previously, Eisenbeis was head of the principal strategic investments group at Citadel.

Two-year-old private equity firm Vespa Capital has found its first exit, selling portfolio company James Villa Holidays to Wyndham Exchange and Rentals. Financial terms of the deal were not released. Vespa backed a 2008 management buyout of U.K.-based James Villa Holidays, which provides specialty villa tours. Vespa Capital is based in the U.K. and France.

Chicago-based private equity firm Green Courte Partners has named Mark Scully managing director. Scully, who has worked with the Green Courte Partners since 2008, will focus on acquisitions of land-lease communities and parking properties, the firm said. Scully has worked previously for firms including Equity Office Properties.

Atlanta-based private equity shop Navigation Capital Partners has named Beth Burras to the newly created post of director of investor relations. Burras will manage fund-raising and relationships with all limited partners. She has worked previously in various roles at Apax Partners and Science Capital. Navigation has roughly $294 million under managmenet, and focuses on lower middle-market private equity deals.

The private equity owners of U.K.-based payment processing company WorldPay will pour 200 million pounds ($311 million) into the company, adding 250 new jobs, Reuters reported. The Royal Bank of Scotland sold all but 20% of the company to Advent International and Bain Capital in a buyout that closed on Wednesday. The two firms aim to beef up the company’s management team and add the new jobs over the next six months, Reuters said.

Greenwich, Conn.-based Littlejohn & Co. has acquired Henniges Automotive Holdings from Wynnchurch Capital Partners. Financial terms of the deal were not released. Henniges, based in Farmington Hills, Mich., manufactures automotive sealing systems for doors, windows and trunks. Wynnchurch Capital is based in Rosemont, Illinois, and has more than $1 billion under management.