Is Labour’s Planning Bill putting private equity at risk? May 16, 2025 It’s not just conservationists who are up in arms about the watering down of environmental protections in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, the private markets are concerned too, says Robert Oates There’s an irony at the heart of the UK government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill: in its rush to accelerate the development of 1.5m new [...]
Revolut, Allica, Zopa: Analysts back ‘enduring value’ of UK fintech May 13, 2025 UK fintech received a wealth of praise from Peel Hunt analysts in a fresh sector note following a year of rapid growth for the industry. Fintech firms booked record profits in 2024 and have transitioned from disrupting the banking climate to direct competition with traditional lenders. Revolut topped 52.5 million customers in 2024, surpassing Europe’s [...]
FD Technologies shares surge on US takeover offer May 7, 2025 Shares in Newry-based tech firm FD Technologies rocketed on Wednesday as its odds of a US takeover increased. The AIM-listed company’s board of directors issued a statement on Wednesday addressing offers of a takeover from US private equity firm TA Associates. The most recent proposal from TA related to “a possible cash offer” of 2,450p [...]
Gymshark: How going public could help take on ‘monster rivals’ Nike and Adidas May 7, 2025 Gymshark, the activewear brand co-founded by billionaire Ben Francis, could be pushed towards becoming a public company in its bid to “achieve the kind of global domination enjoyed by monster rivals Nike and Adidas”. According to Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at AJ Bell, the Solihull-headquartered business would need to “amp up its presence” [...]
Private capital investment into UK business jumps 44 per cent May 6, 2025 The volume of private equity and venture capital cash flowing into UK businesses jumped by 44 per cent last year as investors increasingly look outside of London for opportunities. Private capital firms invested £29.4bn into UK businesses over 2024, compared to £20.4bn in 2023, research from the British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association revealed. [...]
Zoopla: Rightmove rival handed £500m price tag April 30, 2025 Online property portal Zoopla has been put up for sale with an asking price of around £500m, it is understood. The company, which was launched in 2008, has put on the market by Silver Lake Partners which has owned the group it forms a part of following a £1.6bn deal in 2018. That group also includes [...]
The Ivy owner sheds jobs as potential £1bn sale drags on April 28, 2025 The group behind restaurant chain The Ivy shed 300 jobs as billionaire owner Richard Caring continues to weigh a £1bn sale, it has been revealed. The business has only just published its financial accounts for 2023, seven months after the Companies House deadline. The results show The Ivy’s owner cut its headcount from 5,962 to [...]
Hargreaves Lansdown co-founder returns to board after £5.4bn takeover April 21, 2025 The billionaire co-founder of Hargreaves Lansdown has made a surprise return to the investment platform’s board following its private equity takeover last year. Peter Hargreaves, who helped set up the investment site in 1981 and stepped down as a director a decade ago, will reappear on the company board in a non-executive role. Hargreaves has [...]
Are private markets approaching a tipping point? April 15, 2025 As money continues to pour into private markets, concerns are mounting that the sector is expanding too fast in an unfriendly environment. In recent years, there has been an explosion of interest in private markets, with fundraising doubling over the last decade, leading to $13.1 trillion (£9.9 trillion) in assets under management across the sector. [...]
Grant Thornton gains double-digit growth following PE approval April 15, 2025 Grant Thornton UK has generated double-digit revenue over the last 12 months, just as the firm's private equity investment gained regulatory approval