Private equity groups circle UK pharmacy wholesaler September 2, 2024 HIG and Capvest have joined a line of private equity groups looking to buy the largest supplier of goods to British pharmacies, AAH Pharmaceuticals, from German private equity firm Aurelius. AAH has been put up for sale again only a few years after being bought by Aurelius in 2022, according to the Financial Times. The [...]
Easyhotel chief hails ‘era of the mega-event’ as driving force behind bookings surge September 2, 2024 The boss of budget chain Easyhotel said the company had the rising cost of ‘mega-event’ tickets to thank for its recent surge in revenue, which rose by almost half in 2023. Karim Malak, who became chief executive of the British business just over two years ago, said the company had experienced a boom in bookings [...]
New Kingsley Defender adds modern luxury to classic Land Rover September 2, 2024 Land Rover restoration specialist Kingsley Re-Engineered has unveiled a series of upgraded classic Defender models. Two Defender restomods have made their public debut at the prestigious Salon Privé car show, held in the grounds of Blenheim Palace. Oxfordshire-based Kingsley has more than 20 years of experience with restoring the Range Rover Classic, having saved more [...]
Aviva backs Reeves pension investment push with new venture capital arm September 2, 2024 Aviva has launched a dedicated venture capital arm today as it rows in behind the government’s drive to pump more pension cash into start-ups. The move by the FTSE 100 pension giant forms part of a wider project to restructure its private market arm, which previously focused solely on real assets. In a statement, Aviva [...]
Porsche 911 European RS by Thornley Kelham 2024 review September 2, 2024 Hal Water had always dreamed of designing his perfect Porsche 911. So, when lockdown forced the retired architect to stay at home, he eagerly set to work. The exhaustive, 33-page specification Walter emailed to Thornley Kelham nailed down every detail, from the car’s gear ratios to its wiper and indicator stalks. Now, after 6,000 hours [...]
Rightmove shares jump by a quarter as News Corp-owned REA eyes £4.4bn swoop September 2, 2024 Australian property giant REA Group, backed by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp, is considering a £4.4bn takeover bid for UK competitor Rightmove.
Oakley Capital: Private equity firm sells digital learning platform to Lloyd’s Register September 2, 2024 Private equity firm Oakley Capital has sold digital learning platform Ocean Technologies Group (OTG) to maritime classification society Lloyd’s Register for an undisclosed sum.
Axe-throwing bar chain toasts growth as Brits look for competitive night out September 2, 2024 Novelty bar operator XP Factory topped market expectations today after a boost in Brits looking for competitive nights out with activities like axe throwing and mini golf. Group revenue more than doubled in the 15 months ended 31 March 2024, to £57.3m from £22.8m. Adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose to [...]
Why the new Labour government should invest in trains, not planes September 2, 2024 The aviation industry's contribution to the economy has long been its most relied upon defence. But is it really that clear-cut?
The Notebook: How I (almost) managed to get the 1p coin scrapped September 2, 2024 Former Treasury comms chief James Chapman reminisces on the time he (almost) managed to scrap the penny - and why we should persist now.