Shares rise at travel caterer SSP as summer holiday-makers boost profits November 26, 2015 Travel catering giant SSP posted a surge in full-year profits thanks to a rise in customers dining at their airport restaurants and cafes this summer before jetting off on holiday. The FTSE 250 company also paid its first full year dividend to 4.3 pence per share since its £1bn debut on the London stock market last [...]
Organic coffee company Cru Kafe turns to Seedrs to raise £300,000 in crowdfunding campaign to “stabilise its working capital” November 24, 2015 Ethical coffee brand Cru Kafe is looking to raise £300,000 in an equity fundraiser on crowdfunding site Seedrs. In exchange for 5.76 per cent of the company's stock, the Cru Kafe, which makes organic, Fairtrade coffee capsules for espresso machines, is looking for cash to help grow its business. Co-founder and chief executive Colin Pyle told City A.M. the [...]
Shaftesbury continues to be buoyed by London’s West End property market November 24, 2015 London's residential property market might be cooling, but the commercial sector is showing no signs of slowing down with landlord Shaftesbury reporting strong growth for the full year. The figures Shaftesbury's net asset value per share rose 21.9 per cent to £8.69 in the year to September 30, up from £7.13 a year earlier. Earnings at the [...]
Deliveroo: Restaurant home delivery app raises $100m investment from DST Global and Greenoaks Capital as it looks to expand in Asia and Australia November 24, 2015 Deliveroo, the app which delivers meals from restaurants to your door, has raised $100m (£66m) to fund further expansion. Deliveroo today launches in Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Melbourne and Sydney, thanks to $70m raised during the summer. It only launched internationally in April with locations in Paris and Berlin. This latest funding round, a series D investment, was [...]
Bamako Radisson Blu hotel attack: Hostages ‘freed’ after Mali special forces storm building November 20, 2015 Malian special forces have stormed a luxury hotel and seemingly brought an end to a hostage situation in the African state's capital, Bamako. Officials say there are "no more hostages" at the 90-room Radisson Blu Hotel but it is reported that 18 hostages and two gunmen are dead. A Belgian member of parliament, Geoffrey Dieudonne, has been confirmed among [...]
A meal with a view: Why street food market maverick London Union is looking for investors November 20, 2015 We're just scratching the surface of what’s possible in London,” says Jonathan Downey, co-founder of London Union, which transforms sad corners of the city into vibrant street food markets. Downey, known as JC and founder of Street Feast, teamed up with Henry Dimbleby, the founder of restaurant chain Leon, to start the new company. [...]
Q&A with Yogi Dewan: Why everyone misunderstands risk November 19, 2015 For high net worth families, preserving wealth for future generations is more important than risking it for an outsized return. “Financial markets are environments for preserving wealth,” explains Yogi Dewan, chief executive and founder of boutique wealth management firm Hassium Asset Management. “But whether you invest in equities, real estate or government bonds, there’s no [...]
Ladies who don’t lunch: Lady Barbara Judge talks first impressions and why moderation is boring November 19, 2015 Ping! A reply from Lady Barbara Judge drops in my inbox, exactly 15 minutes after I sent over an email asking her whether she would be available for a “ladies lunch”. “Dear Maike I would be glad to do it. The problem is to find a date. With best regards, Barbara.” Surprised and pleased at [...]
French private equity firm Ardian raises €1.1bn for co-investment fund November 18, 2015 French private equity firm Ardian has completed a €1.1bn (£769m) fundraising for its fourth co-investment fund. The fund's strategy is to co-invest a minority stake in larger private equity transactions, with two pools, so investors can choose their exposure to the US and European markets. Ardian, which until 2013 was AXA Private Equity and is [...]
Londoners’ favourite spots to eat and drink in the City: These are the best restaurants, pubs and cafes in the square mile – The Fat Bear, Lamb Tavern, and Beany Green November 18, 2015 Ever wondered where's best to head for a drink or a bite to eat after a long day in the office? There's dizzying array of bars, pubs, restaurants and coffee shops within the square mile, but now Londoners' have given several of them their seal of approval, naming their favourite haunts in the City. Place The Fat Bear, Lamb Tavern, [...]