Guys just wanna have fun January 11, 2015 JLL’s boss tells Kasmira Jefford why his firm is anything but dull GUY Grainger has something he needs to get off his chest. It seems that some people might think that property and property advisory companies like JLL are, well, let’s say a little bit… dull. “People often say that to me and I think: [...]
Rugby World Cup to boost UK hotels in 2015 January 11, 2015 LONDON hotels are expected to enjoy a surge in revenues this year, according to the latest forecast released this morning from PwC, as people flock to the UK to watch the Rugby World Cup. The accountancy firm predicts that revenue per available room (revpar), a key industry measure, will rise by five per cent to [...]
February float on the cards for Redx Pharma January 11, 2015 BRITISH drug discovery and development company Redx Pharma yesterday announced it plans to float on London’s Alternative Investment Market as it looks to raise approximately £20m. Shore Capital is serving as the Liverpool-based company’s nominated adviser and broker on the listing, which is expected to start in February. Redx Pharma is forecast to have market [...]
Turnover at Paulson’s UK fund falls 30pc January 11, 2015 THE BRITISH subsidiary of New York-based investment manager Paulson & Co recorded a 30 per cent decline in turnover last year, it emerged yesterday. The hedge fund has fallen foul of what proved to be a difficult year for hedge funds globally. According to accounts published on Companies House, Paulson Ltd saw its takings for [...]
Private equity firms line up for £400m ticket to Big Bus Tours January 11, 2015 A HOST of international private equity firms are vying to acquire British sightseeing bus tour operator Big Bus Tours, it emerged yesterday. European buyout specialist Permira, the UK-headquartered Exponent Private Equity, America’s Advent International and Omers Private Equity – the investment arm of a Canadian pension fund – are circling the London-based company, which is [...]
Brevan Howard Asset Management experiences revenue dip in 2014 January 11, 2015 Brevan Howard Asset Management, one of Europe’s largest alternative asset managers, has recorded a drop in revenues for 2014, it was revealed yesterday. According to its accounts, the highly-regarded investment specialist recorded total revenue of £123.2m for the year until the end of March, a fall on the £126.7m recorded the previous year. The company, [...]
SVP wraps up deal for Linpac January 11, 2015 AMERICAN hedge fund Strategic Value Partners (SVP) has assumed control of British packing company Linpac, it emerged yesterday. The buyout firm has acquired an 85 per cent stake, valuing the Birmingham-based company at approximately £200m, after receiving the green light from the European Commission late last year. Linpac provides packaging for fish, meat and poultry [...]
Sophos hires for float plans January 11, 2015 CYBER-SECURITY firm Sophos has hired investment bank Moelis to advise the company on a flotation on the London Stock Exchange later this year, it came to light yesterday. The anti-virus specialist is owned by private equity giant Apax, which is targeting a £1bn valuation for the British firm. Founded in the 1985 by Jan Hruska [...]
Insurance pay lagging behind other sectors January 11, 2015 INSURANCE sector workers are losing ground to other professionals, a study from recruiters Reed.co.uk showed today. Just six per cent of those in the insurance industry received a pay rise in the last year, compared with 41 per cent of all professional workers. For instance, 32 per cent of workers in the technology sector were [...]
Businesses get 2015 confidence boost from tumbling inflation January 11, 2015 BUSINESSES expect a solid start to 2015, according to new survey data. The BDO optimism index released today by the eponymous accountants rose to 104.9 in December from 103.9 in November. The long-term average is signified by 100. The output index remained steady at 103.3 in December from November’s 103.2. The inflation index edged down [...]
