Schroders confirms it is in advanced talks to buy ‘significant’ stake in renewables fund Greencoat Capital December 16, 2021 Following media reports last night, asset manager Schroders has this morning confirmed that it is in advanced talks to take what it described as a ‘signficant stake’ in Greencoat Capital, which manages solar, wind and other renewables funds. “Schroders continues to evaluate potential acquisition opportunities in line with its strategy to build a comprehensive private [...]
Analysts ponder whether activist fund Elliott is more in need of a ‘shake-up’ than the firms it invests in December 15, 2021 Activist investor Elliott has ramped up its pressure on UK businesses this year, taking on builder Taylor Wimpey, pharmaceuticals firm Glaxo Smith Kline, and energy giant SSE. It took a sizeable top-five stake in SSE in September and last week wrote a ten-page letter to the firm’s chairman Sir John Manzoni criticising the firm’s CEO [...]
Companies led by women attract 96 per cent less funding than male-run ones December 15, 2021 Businesses led by females on average received a staggering 96 per cent less funding than their male counterparts this year despite growing pressure for gender parity, according to new data. The study of the highest funded female and male businesses in the UK in 2021 revealed a vast gap in funding between companies led by [...]
US investor Fortress snaps up Punch Pubs for undisclosed sum December 15, 2021 Investment group Fortress has acquired Punch Pubs from Patron Capital for an undisclosed sum. The US-based investor owned by SoftBank said it had acquired 100 per cent of the firm’s share capital on Wednesday. The pub group comprises 1,300 venues in the UK, made up of wet-led, community pubs. It is largely focused on a [...]
Global climate tech investment has tripled, but emissions-cutting solutions are overlooked December 15, 2021 Investment into climate tech is booming globally, as venture capital and private equity firms poured $87.5bn into the sector over the twelve months to 30 June 2021 – more than triple the $28.4bn global total reached a year before. Buoyed by dry powder accumulated during the first few months of Covid lockdowns, investment firms focusing [...]
DX Group caves in to activist investor pressure and appoints Gatemore to board December 13, 2021 AIM-listed delivery company DX Group this morning announced it has appointed the managing partner of Gatemore Capital Management to its board, just two weeks after the activist fund demanded a seat in order to address governance issues. Liad Meidar, Gatemore’s managing partner, has been appointed as a non-executive director “with immediate effect”, the mail and [...]
Activist investor Elliott takes stake in Taylor Wimpey and calls for change December 11, 2021 Activist investor Elliott Investment Management has called on Taylor Wimpey to make major changes in the company’s leadership, which it has blamed for the builder’s falling share price, according to reports. The news comes days after Taylor Wimpey’s chief executive officer Pete Redfern announced his resignation after 14 years. Shares at the time were 29 [...]
Gresham House outruns expectations and charts 50 per cent AUM growth to more than £6bn December 9, 2021 Alternative asset manager Gresham House expects to “significantly outperform” market expectations with assets under management (AUM) growth of at least 50 per cent to £6bn by the end of the year, as investors chase sustainable classes like forestry. Its confident update to the market pitched adjusted operating profit at more than £18.5m – £3m above previous [...]
Foresight appoints new infrastructure co-chief on strong demand for sustainable investments December 9, 2021 London-listed sustainable investment manager Foresight has this morning announced the appointment of Ricardo Piñeiro as a new co-head of its infrastructure division, as the group expects the trends driving its rapid growth in sustainable infrastructure investment to continue apace. Assets under management rose 13 per cent to £8.1bn in the six months to 30 September, [...]
Omicron hit to economy: New Covid restrictions may cost businesses £4bn in December December 9, 2021 The UK economy should brace itself for a £4 bn a month hit and see taxpayers foot the bill for more emergency support as new Covid restrictions to clamp down on the spread of the Omicron variant come into force, a think tank has warned. The right-wing Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) said Plan B [...]