Psychedelic medicines start up raises £58m August 16, 2021 An Oxford based company which uses psychedelic medicines to treat neurological disorders has completed an oversubscribed £58m funding round. Beckley Psytech today announced that their Series B financing round had to be upsized from $50m (£36m) to $80m on account of investor demand. The funding will be used to complete an ongoing trial which uses [...]
IPCC report: why the detail matters to energy investors August 16, 2021 | City Talk The United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report will shock many people. The data speaks for itself and illustrates the most important challenge facing humanity over the next 100 years. We expect the IPCC report to shock government leaders and lead to actionable policies being implemented at the COP26 climate summit in November. These [...]
The future of the office: How one property firm is using virtual reality to create the new normal August 16, 2021 The future of the office has never been more richly discussed. For all the benefits of flexible working, most firms seem determined to bring people back in to reap the benefits of collaboration and creativity. But the co-founder of one property firm, Kitt, is determined to make sure that when we get back to the [...]
BHP mulls selling its petroleum division and it could fetch $15bn August 16, 2021 BHP is mulling a merger which would offload the company’s petroleum division for as much as $15bn amid growing environmental pressure. Today, the mining giant said it had “initiated a strategic review” of its multi-billion dollar Petroleum business to “re-assess its position and long-term strategic fit in the BHP portfolio.” The statement confirmed that a merger [...]
Charlie Nunn starts as Lloyds Bank chief executive August 16, 2021 Former HSBC banker Charlie Nunn takes on the role of chief executive of Lloyds Bank today, one of the UK’s biggest finance jobs. Nunn’s appointment was announced in November and his starting date was revealed in February. He replaces Antonio Horta-Osorio, who held the position for a decade and announced he would step down once [...]
Turnover of independent spirit distilleries hits £1.87bn thanks to lockdown drinkers August 16, 2021 Independent spirit distilleries’ turnover increased by eight per cent last year, as locked down Brits concocted their own cocktails. Turnover reached £1.87bn last year, up from £1.72bn the previous year, according to private equity investment firm Growthdeck. Consumers spent an additional £566.8m on spirits as bars and pubs were forced to close for months due [...]
Monzo savings partner pauses products amid money laundering probe August 14, 2021 OakNorth, a Monzo partner that provides savings products for the challenger bank, temporarily withdrew offers for new customers a fortnight after it emerged that the FCA had launched an investigation into the British digital bank over possible money laundering activity. Challenger bank OakNorth, which is one of the lenders that have provided £1bn worth of [...]
The interview: Sir Richard Branson on the past, present and future August 14, 2021 Christopher Jackson talks to the CEO about the pandemic, work and his friendships with Barack Obama and Nelson Mandela. Thanks to our friends at Finito for allowing us to republish their article. Fame will sometimes have a blurring effect. Public presence sustained over a long period of time can create a confusing image. During a [...]
The Very Group owners select trio of banks for £4bn float August 13, 2021 The owners of fashion retailer The Very Group have selected a trio of investment banks to organise a £4bn flotation. Banks Barclays, Morgan Stanley and UBS have been appointed to coordinate an initial public offering (IPO) to take place next year, according to Sky News. This would mark the first time the Barclay family – [...]
US insurance giant Gallagher snaps up Willis reinsurance arm in $3.25bn deal August 13, 2021 US insurance giant Arthur J. Gallagher has announced it will buy the treaty reinsurance brokerage arm of Willis Towers Watson for a proposed cash consideration of $3.25bn (£2.35bn). It comes just over a fortnight after Willis agreed to terminate a $30bn (£22.9bn) merger agreement with Aon, in what would have created the world’s largest insurance [...]
