Europe
Headlines
Senior management changes at Investcorp
Investcorp, a leading global provider and manager of alternative investments, today announced a series of senior management changes designed to further accelerate the firm’s growth strategy and potential. The changes were in part catalyzed by Mohammed Al-Shroogi’s intention to retire as Co-CEO effective August 2018. Al-Shroogi, who joined...
M&A: A reputation minefield
One of the most significant mergers in British retail history is currently in the offing. As Sainsbury’s and Asda navigate the complexities of knitting together two shopping brands that speak to different shopping cultures and consumer heartlands, we look at the opportunities, and the possible pitfalls that are emerging. How can these two retail behemoths...
Hinckley- based business reports exceptional growth for 2018
Hinckley based employee engagement and digital solutions firm, Workvine has reported exceptional growth of 167% year-on-year according to the company’s 2018 financial data. This comes amid reports of the negative impacts an uncertain Brexit climate might bring for SMEs. With a study by academics at The University of St Andrews concluding that small...
Reputation of UK companies in decline for the first time since 2008 financial crash, Reputation Institute reveals
Reputation of UK companies in decline for the first time since 2008 financial crash, reveals UK's biggest annual reputation ranking Major drop in the levels of trust and confidence in UK companies. 10% fall in consumers’ willingness to trust, invest in or endorse companies Poor communication drives reputation decline. 69% don’t know what companies’...
New mission-led investment venture to support Scotland's social entrepreneurs
A new mission-led investment venture aimed at stimulating social entrepreneurship in Scotland has been launched by leading responsible finance provider Social Investment Scotland (SIS). SIS Ventures plans to provide the tools and mission-aligned investment required to help early stage businesses and social enterprises grow and deliver social impact...
Finance
Netflix demands closing of “Stranger Things”-themed bar with cutest cease-and-desist letter ever
Streaming giant Netflix demanded the closing of a “Stranger Things”-themed bar in the most delightful way possibleRead More
Chili’s Twitter account is your new best life coach
Tony Robbins, Dr. Phil, your mother — all of them may be displaced by Chili’s advice-spinning Twitter accountRead More
Can L.A. save the planet? City’s “zero waste” plan could be a model
L.A.’s ambitious plan to divert 90 percent of waste by 2025 isn’t just about recycling. It’s about remaking a cityRead More
12 foods chefs never order at a restaurant
We asked professional chefs which menu items they skip when they eat outRead More
Alice Waters is creating a revolution in school lunches
Waters will not rest until every kid in America has a free, sustainably grown, delicious school lunchRead More
Legal
67% of law firms say skills shortages threaten growth
Despite the ongoing environment of geopolitical uncertainty, UK law firms remain optimistic about their growth prospects. That’s according to new research from specialist recruiter, Clayton Legal , which reveals that 66% of firms are looking to increase headcount over the next twelve months to contend with increased demand for their services. The...
Seedrs launches programme for financial intermediaries following record breaking Q3
The programme introduces wealthy individuals to early stage equity deals on Seedrs via their accountants, brokers and financial consultantsOver £3.6bn was invested into equity deals in the UK last year showing an increased appetite for startup investing45% of angels interviewed by the UKBAA about their early stage equity investments reported...
Lamont Pridmore warn high earners about HMRC raids
Higher rate taxpayers have been warned by leading Cumbrian accountants Lamont Pridmore to be vigilant over their tax affairs.The warning comes after new data from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) shows that its Affluent Unit took an additional £438 million pounds of high earners.Off the back of this success the Unit, which investigates the tax affairs of...
A Legal Perspective on the Government’s Brexit White Paper
Following pressure from sections of Parliament and the public, Theresa May’s government has published a 77-page white paper document to set out a strategy for leaving the EU. But what does it add to what we already know? Stephen Chater, a solicitor at Postlethwate Solicitors, member firm of the UK200Group, explains.The UK200Group is the UK’s leading...
32% law firms see private equity as a principal source of external funding
With growing competition from niche firms, law practices are actively seeking targeted acquisitions to scale-up in chosen disciplines. 32% see private equity as a principal source of external funding. Niche law firms seen as greatest source of competition. 59% of firms report a rise in competitive pressure. There is a sharp increase...
Deals
Clear Review closes first round funding at end of most successful quarter to date
Continuous Performance Management supplier notes sea-change as market moves from early adopters to early maturity Clear Review, a game-changing supplier of continuous performance management solutions, has successfully completed its first round funding with Mercia Technologies PLC. From its launch less than two years ago, Clear Review has seen growth...
GCI sets itself up for continued growth with Mayfair Equity Partners and the formation of a strategic acquisition fund over £60million
Mayfair Equity Partners LLP welcomes GCI into its portfolio, which includes restaurant chain YO! and alternative energy provider OVO Converged ICT Services Provider GCI is pleased to announce that Mayfair Equity Partners (“Mayfair”) has acquired a majority stake in the business. Mayfair’s investment also includes the formation of a new strategic...
Foresight Williams Technology EIS Fund invests £1.68m into Geospatial Insight
Geospatial Insight is a leading provider of satellite imagery analysis for insurance, investment and corporate sectorsEstablished team with +20-year track record in the sectorThe Fund supports disruptive technologies with high performance engineering capability and proven investment management Foresight Group (“Foresight”) announces the £1.68...
CLESSIDRA SGR: acquisition of 100% of Scrigno Group
Fourth investment by Clessidra Capital Partners 3, following Roberto Cavalli, ABM Italia and Nexi Clessidra SGR, the leading Italian private equity firm, entered today into a definitive agreement for the acquisition of the entire share capital of Scrigno Group. Based in Rimini, Scrigno is a leading manufacturer and distributor of counter-frames...
Ambitious SMEs across the North East set to benefit from new funding available
Maven Capital Partners appointed to manage the £27 million Development Capital Fund to help drive future economic growth in North East England Maven Capital Partners (“Maven”), one of the UK’s most active private equity houses, has been appointed to manage the £27 million North East Development Capital Fund (“NEDCF” or “the Fund”),...
Acq Lite
Curious quokka licks cyclist's pedals in Western Australia
March 9 (UPI) -- A cyclist taking a break in Western Australia captured video of a curious quokka licking the pedals of her bicycle.Shannon Ducker said she was taking a break from cycling on Rottnest Island when the quokka approached her bicycle and started licking the pedals.Ducker captured video as the apparently hungry animal enjoyed the taste of...
IHOP announces breakfast-themed PancakeWear clothing line
March 9 (UPI) -- Restaurant chain IHOP announced the debut of its breakfast-themed clothing line, PancakeWear, created to benefit a children's charity.The eatery announced it will soon be offering onesies, loungepants and socks in adult and child sizes featuring breakfast-themed prints."The ultra-comfy PancakeWear by IHOP collection is the perfect accessory...
Cat credited with rescuing Pennsylvania couple from fire
March 9 (UPI) -- A Pennsylvania couple's pet cat is being hailed as a hero after alerting its owners to a late night fire that started inside their home.The McKeesport Fire Department said the couple were in bed about 1:30 a.m. Friday when their cat alerted them to something amiss inside their home."Fortunately, both were in bed at the time, and the...
Truck loses, drags two wheels on Oregon road
March 9 (UPI) -- A driver on an Oregon road captured video of a semi truck that somehow lost two wheels on a city road and dragged them for several yards.The video, filmed Monday on a street in Cornelius, shows the semi driving on a slow speed while dragging two wheels that somehow became separated from its trailer.The wheels drag behind the truck until...
'Sixth sense' sends woman back into store for winning lottery ticket
March 9 (UPI) -- A South Carolina woman said she owes her $250,000 lottery jackpot to a feeling that caused her to go back inside a store after finishing her shopping.The winner told South Carolina Education Lottery officials she was leaving The Spinx Company in Greenville when she felt compelled to go back inside the store and buy a $250,000 Extra...