Bermondsey-based DIY brewery launches crowdfunding campaign November 26, 2014 UBREW, a Bermondsey-based brewery that allows members to brew their own craft beer, has launched a crowdfunding campaign today. Set to open in the New Year on the Bermondsey Mile, Ubrew is looking to crowdsource £75,000 – in exchange for 10 per cent equity in the company – to purchase equipment, rented accommodation and a [...]
US private equity firm KSL Capital Partner buys De Vere’s Village resorts for £485m November 26, 2014 British hotels and leisure firm De Vere Group yesterday agreed the £485m sale of its Village Urban Resorts hotels chain to US private equity firm KSL Capital Partner. KSL – a Denver-headquartered firm focused on the travel and leisure businesses – acquires the Village’s 25 existing hotels along with three new properties under development in [...]
Growing your savings takes time – you really can’t start too soon November 25, 2014 There’s an old saying that goes: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now”. It’s a great analogy for investing – the earlier you start the better, so don’t put it off because you think you are too late. Getting into the habit of regular saving [...]
Pensioners have “stopped being poor” but their benefits will top £12bn by 2019, says IFS boss November 25, 2014 Government benefits for pensioners will cost £12bn more per year by 2019 if the current system is kept in place, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS). The massive increase in spending would come about even though pensioners are on average wealthier than those still in work. The IFS argued "pensioners as a group [...]
Private equity firms circle as P&G puts Braun in the window November 23, 2014 A number of Europe’s largest private equity firms are drawing up bids for Braun, amid speculation that parent company Procter & Gamble is looking to sell the German consumer goods brand. Procter & Gamble, the US consumer goods giant, is rumoured to be putting Braun up for the sale in a few months, with a [...]
James Murdoch steps down as Sky Deutschland chairman after pension fund questions “conflicts of interests and suitability” November 19, 2014 James Murdoch has stepped down from his role as chairman of Sky Deutschland following today's AGM. Murdoch will remain on the supervisory board, with Sky's chief executive Jeremy Darroch taking on the chairmanship role. Andrew Griffith has also joined the board as a member. The move comes two days after the Local Authority [...]
It’s maddening that investment charges are still so complicated November 18, 2014 THIS week, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has come under pressure to implement more stringent measures on the way investments are managed, particularly when it comes to communicating fees to customers and improving the overall transparency of charges. But this is all backward. It should be companies leading the charge for transparency, because that’s what [...]
Gimme 3: Startups crowdfunding this month November 17, 2014 Oak and Iron Target: £55,000 for 30 per cent equity The furniture company uses environmentally friendly processes and locally sourced materials. Owner Terry Facey has made furniture for Harrods. Raised: £44,700 www.fundingtree.co.uk Grub Club Target: £250,000 for 15.6 per cent equity A team on a mission to change how we dine by creating pop [...]
Taylor St Brewing a £3m crowdfunding November 12, 2014 TAYLOR St Baristas, a trailblazer in the City’s speciality coffee scene, plans to raise up to £3m through the launch of the UK’s first crowdfunded Coffee Bond. The bond is live on Crowdcube and Taylor St plans to double the size of its business over the next two years, with funds gained being used to [...]
Caterham F1 raises £1.2m in crowdfunding project as possible buyers begin to surface November 11, 2014 Potential buyers have emerged for Caterham F1, with the cash-strapped Formula One team having raised over £1m in crowdfunding in just 48 hours. The team is looking to raise £2.35m to allow it to race in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on 23 November. Finbarr O’Connell, a partner from Caterham’s administrator Smith & Williamson, launched the [...]