Listed law firm DWF announces two acquisitions as trading beats expectations May 25, 2021 City law firm DWF has resumed M&A activity, acquiring two businesses after a strong year of trading amid the pandemic. The listed firm this morning announced it had acquired compliance training business Zing 365 Holdings for £1.8m, as well as reaching an agreement to acquire BCA Claims & Consulting. DWF said completion of the £2.2m [...]
Wagamama owner Restaurant Group sees sales rebound as dining returns May 25, 2021 Wagamama owner Restaurant Group said sales were recovering well as Brits dined after the lifting of lockdown restrictions. The group, which has around 350 sites trading since the resumption of indoor dining, said delivery services were much higher before Covid curbs were eased. Some 130 of its Wagamama sites traded at 85 per cent of [...]
Tech group Smiths wires new CEO from the US May 25, 2021 Technology group Smiths has hired a new chief executive officer who will relocate to the UK from the US in a “mutually agreed” exchanging of the helm today. Starting with immediate effect, incoming CEO Paul Keel formerly worked with US industry giant 3M for 16 years where he led a number of businesses, including its [...]
Retirement villages may offer high streets their needed post-pandemic revival May 24, 2021 Retirement village provider Audley Group and BlackRock Real Assets have embarked on a £500m joint venture into the retirement living sector in the UK, which could bring high streets the much-needed footfall for post-pandemic revival. The joint venture, confirmed yesterday, will fund the development of at least three retirement communities, which will be ready for [...]
TGI Fridays to float its 87 restaurants on London Stock Exchange this year May 21, 2021 The owner of TGI Fridays has revealed plans to float the restaurant chain on the London stock market. Electra Private Equity, which has owned the casual dining brand since 2014, said it plans to float it on the FTSE main market in the third quarter of this year. The owner told investors today that it [...]
Eataly boss wants craftsmanship to shine through City’s newest destination May 21, 2021 Travelling remains something of a trial at the minute, as we all know – with PCR tests, border queues, and an ever-changing list of rules and regulations taking much of the fun out of it. A glass of Cortese di Gavi in the sun will have to wait a little while too, judging from the [...]
The next step of England’s gradual return to normal May 21, 2021 England has now entered ‘Step 3’ of the roadmap out of lockdown. From this past Monday, people in England have been able to eat inside restaurants, meet friends and family in groups of 6 or two households indoors, and some lucky folks have even been able to enjoy live music and live sport in person. [...]
Big boost for central London property as buyers consider office return May 20, 2021 Demand for city centre apartments is returning fast in Britain after buyers opted to work in rural locations during the pandemic, according to a new survey. Rightmove said flats are now the most in-demand property type for the first time in ten years, with buyer interest up 39 per cent since January. The rise is [...]
Culture shock May 20, 2021 Covid-19 has left the UK’s world-leading arts sector fighting for survival. As museums and theatres prepare to reopen, four expert CAs tell us how their work has been upended and what their recovery roadmaps look like. This article first appeared in ICAS’ CA magazine. All dramatists know the importance of a happy ending; the gratifying [...]
US law firm eyes City skyscraper 22 Bishopsgate for new headquarters May 19, 2021 A US law firm is said to be eying up office space in the new 22 Bishopsgate skyscraper, marking a major show of confidence in the City after the pandemic. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom is closing in on a deal to lease several floors in the building, which is the largest building in [...]