Chancellor’s tightrope walk will leave us holding our breath October 8, 2024 By tradition, Chancellors are allowed a stiff drink at the despatch box as they deliver their Budget. Parliamentary records tell us that Gladstone enjoyed sherry and beaten egg while the most recent Chancellor to indulge in this ancient right, Ken Clarke, opted for a straight whiskey. Since then, there’s been nothing but water in the [...]
Chelsea investor in talks for landmark stake in Miami Dolphins October 3, 2024 Chelsea investor Ares Capital is in talks with the owner of the Miami Dolphins to become the first private equity firm to buy a stake in an NFL franchise. The New York-headquartered asset manager is negotiating the purchase of a 10 per cent stake in the Dolphins’ parent company, according to multiple reports. The deal [...]
Parkdean Resorts suffers £100m slump as post-pandemic holiday competition heats up October 1, 2024 The return of short-haul travel following the Covid-19 pandemic contributed to holiday park operator Parkdean Resorts’ pre-tax loss widening by almost £100m during its latest financial year. The business, which is headquartered near Newcastle upon Tyne, has reported a loss of £135.2m for 2023, having previously posted a loss of £36.4m in 2022. The last [...]
How private equity swallowed up the UK – and why it’s unsettling regulators September 30, 2024 Private equity has been buying more and more of the UK over the past decade, with thousands of listed or private businesses now snapped up by buyout funds and venture capital investors. Iconic British businesses like Morrisons, Pret A Manger and Asda have been swallowed up by private capital, with deals like the takeover of [...]
With London IPOs on the wane, the private equity market needs to stay competitive September 27, 2024 Private equity deals have gone through a rocky patch but there is still plenty of capital looking for a home, says Edwin Richards Whilst popular in decades gone by, the age of the conglomerate has long been over. Most investors want to decide which sectors they invest in and want to be associated with champions [...]
Schroders launches first ‘retail’ LTAF with private equity focus September 25, 2024 Schroders has launched the UK’s first ever retail-focused Long-Term Asset Fund (LTAF), as the investment vehicle finally starts to become available to the wider market. The LTAF, which will be available to wealth managers with retail clients, is the first LTAF Schroders has launched not targeted at pension schemes, charities, or institutional investors. James Lowe, [...]
American Golf hails sales success as it bids to return to profit September 20, 2024 American Golf has enjoyed an upswing in its market share since the start of its new financial year and added almost £1.5m in extra sales. The Warrington-headquartered retailer, which is backed by private equity firm Endless, has revealed its like-for-like sales rose by £1.4m to £80.6m in the period from February to August 2024. American Golf [...]
Goldman-backed Petershill announces bumper dividend after pick-up in dealmaking September 17, 2024 Petershill Partners has announced a special dividend of 9 cents (7p) per share after a flurry of deals and a successful asset raising round helped the private equity firm return to growth. The Goldman Sachs-backed firm, which floated on the London Stock Exchange three years ago, generated a total income of $146m (£111m) in the [...]
City minister pledges to work ‘together’ with private equity as tax hike looms September 12, 2024 The City minister pledged to work “together” with the private equity industry today but steered clear of mentioning a looming tax hike which could put the sector on a collision course with the Treasury. In a speech at the British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association’s (BVCA) annual summit, Tulip Siddiq said private capital would [...]
Hawksmoor’s Will Beckett is ready to take on the American steakhouses September 10, 2024 Ali Lyon sits down with Hawksmoor boss Will Beckett to discuss the restaurant's plans to win over the land of steakhouses