Twilight firm eyes premium listing on LSE March 28, 2012 ENTERTAINMENT One, the film and TV content company, said yesterday that it is looking to promote its stock to a premium listing after a particularly strong fourth quarter. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, the group moved from AIM to the main market in July 2010 and said it hopes to upgrade its shares in the coming [...]
Emap rebrands and splits itself into three parts March 28, 2012 EMAP, the multi-platform media group, is changing its name as part of a restructure which will see its core business split into three operating divisions. The business-to-business media and events company, owned by Guardian Media Group and private equity firm Apax, said it will ditch the name Emap and rebrand as Top Right Group in [...]
HarperCollins gets mega boost from e-books March 28, 2012 MURDOCH-owned publishing house HarperCollins saw revenues reach a three-year high in its UK division last year. Sales of digital books grew seven-fold as tablets and e-readers invaded the market, driving turnover up 4.7 per cent to £254m in the year to June 2011. HarperCollins, which publishes classic British authors including JRR Tolkein, CS Lewis and Agatha Christie, [...]
CITY VIEWS ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT THE UK’S FUEL SUPPLY? March 28, 2012 PATRICK O’CONNOR ABERDEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT I’m not personally worried, but I’m worried about my wife as she uses the car the most. The reserves are already stretched with the threat of the strike, so the government needs to do what is necessary to keep cars on the road. CHARLOTTE CURTIS RPS I’m very worried about [...]
LEGOLAND OWNER BUILDS REVENUES HIGHER March 28, 2012 LEGOLAND owner Merlin Entertainments said yesterday that it could float in 2014, after a £2bn IPO fell through in early 2010. The group, which also owns Madame Tussauds, the London Eye and Thorpe Park, grew revenues 15.9 per cent to £928.4m as visitors increased to 46.4m. Merlin said the opening of the Legoland Windsor Hotel [...]
Wellington master hires No 10 aide for schools plan March 28, 2012 ANTHONY Seldon, a biographer of Tony Blair, a guru in happiness and the master of the private school Wellington College, is moving full steam ahead in his ambition to establish a network of Academy schools. Wellington has already opened one college, Wellington Academy, with the help of a £2m donation from the ex-Goldman Sachs partner [...]
CUSHMAN CASHING IN ON ITS OWN OFFICES March 28, 2012 CUSHMAN & Wakefield has been hired to sell… its own London headquarters. On behalf of current owner SEB, the property services firm boasts of a “rare”, “prime” and “striking” building in Portman Square, which is on the market for the second time in three years.
Orcel’s move leaves a sour taste at Merrill March 28, 2012 WHEN Bank of America Merrill Lynch star investment banker Andrea Orcel left the group last week, his departure merited just 11 words in an internal message to staff. After 20 years at the bank, Orcel’s departure was dismissed as sparsely as possible. Why, the Capitalist argues, was the farewell message so brief? Sources close to [...]
Banks start IPO marketing for Brunello Cucinelli March 28, 2012 BANK of America Merrill Lynch and the Italian bank Mediobanca yesterday began the investor marketing for the forthcoming flotation of Brunello Cucinelli, the premium cashmere clothing line. The founder (pictured), who runs the eponymous brand, has decided to float in Milan even though other premium brands such as Prada or Graf diamonds have preferred a [...]
Moulton’s new Better fund snaps up Everest March 28, 2012 VENTURE capitalist Jon Moulton’s new turnaround fund has chosen window specialist Everest as its maiden acquisition. The Better Capital 2012 Fund has pledged £25m to buy the firm and finance its restructuring, it said in a statement. Everest generated revenues of £173m in 2010 but has since endured difficult trading conditions, Better said. The company [...]
