Europe
Headlines
Augusta raises additional $115m for litigation and dispute funding
Investment in response to growing demand from lawyers Augusta, the UK’s largest litigation and disputes funder by case volume announces it has raised a further US $115m from a multi-billion-dollar US-based investment manager. In 2018, Augusta secured £150m from a global investment fund, to finance business growth and investment in funding cases....
An affiliate of Sun European Partners announces that it has completed the sale of Famosa
Sun European Partners, LLP (“Sun European Partners” or “Sun”) today announces that one of its affiliates has completed the sale of Fábricas Agrupadas de Muñecas de Onil, S.A. (“Famosa” or “the Company”), a leading designer, developer, manufacturer and distributer of toys in Spain and throughout the world, to Giochi Preziosi S.p.A.. Famosa,...
Huge Tax Changes for Self-Employed Following Publication of New Legislation
On 11 July 2019, the Government published draft legislation outlining the IR35 changes coming to the private sector, which are expected to affect 250,000 businesses. The reform will impact users and suppliers of personal service company contractors in the private sector. Companies have only nine months to plan for the new off-payroll changes, as they...
Young people pick their banking partners for the future
Battle of the brands Generation Z calls the brands it will bank on in 2030 Britain Banks most trusted for handling payments and safe storage of dataTech brands first choice for creating smart, real-time servicesAs a sector, financial services scores poorly for ethics and positive social impact More than two in five young people (43%) believe that...
Alcentra Closes Significant Capital Raise for its European Direct Lending Strategy
Record €5.5 billion raise reflects strong investor demand, Alcentra’s track record of deployment and returns Alcentra, one of Europe’s largest and longest tenured managers of private debt and part of BNY Mellon Investment Management, has announced the close of its latest European direct lending capital raise. The firm has raised €5.5...
Finance
President Werner Hoyer speaks at the International conference on assistance and support to Beirut and the Lebanese people
Following the tragedy that struck Beirut on August 4, President Hoyer will speak at the Conférence internationale d’appui et de soutien à Beyrouth et à la population libanaise (International conference on assistance and support to Beirut and the Lebanese people). Read More
President Werner Hoyer to speak at the International conference on assistance and support to Beirut and the Lebanese people
Following the tragedy that struck Beirut on August 4, President Hoyer will speak at the Conférence internationale d’appui et de soutien à Beyrouth et à la population libanaise (International conference on assistance and support to Beirut and the Lebanese people). Read More
Ireland: Government Launches €500 million Long-term lending for SMEs, Farmers and Fishing
The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar T.D. the Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe T.D and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Dara Calleary T.D. today (Thursday the 30th of July) launched a €500 million expansion to the Future Growth Loan, the government’s scheme to support SMEs, farmers...
Renforcer ses compétences financières en période de pandémie : un cours gratuit en ligne sur l’intermédiation financière en tant que moteur d’une croissance inclusive et résiliente
Élaborée par le FMI en collaboration avec la Banque européenne d’investissement, la formation gratuite en ligne intitulée Développement financier et inclusion financière [Financial Development and Financial Inclusion (FDFIx)] est le fruit du savoir-faire combiné de ces deux institutions,...
L’initiative « 2X Challenge » dépasse son objectif initial en mobilisant 4,5 milliards d’USD à l’appui de l’autonomisation économique des femmes
Lancée en juin 2018 lors du sommet du G7 de Charlevoix, au Canada, l’initiative multilatérale 2X Challenge a l’ambitieux objectif de déployer et de mobiliser des volumes de capitaux inégalés à l’appui de projets qui donnent des moyens d’action aux femmes en tant qu’entrepreneuses, dirigeantes, salariées et consommatrices de produits...
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
Healthline Media Acquires PsychCentral, Bolstering Healthline’s Role as the Top Digital Health Publisher
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Healthline Media today announced it has acquired the popular website PsychCentral, adding a mental health property to Healthline’s roster of powerful digital brands that help people live their strongest and healthiest lives. Since its founding in 1995, PsychCentral has become one of the largest and most trusted sites...
MiddleGround Capital Adds to Its Alco Platform with Acquisition of Manth-Brownell
LEXINGTON, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MiddleGround Capital is thrilled to announce the acquisition of Manth-Brownell through its portfolio company Alco Manufacturing Corporation.Read More
Generational Equity Advises Menoughs’ Inc. dba Wild Birds Unlimited in Sale to Private Investor
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Menoughs’ Inc. (dba Wild Birds Unlimited of Denver) was acquired by a Private Investor.Read More
Beitel Group and The Scharf Group Acquired a Multifamily Complex Portfolio of 870 Units in St. Charles, MO and Ft. Wayne, IN
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Beitel Group and The Scharf Group acquired a multifamily complex portfolio of 870 units in St. Charles, MO and Ft. Wayne, INRead More
Accenture Acquires CreativeDrive to Help Clients Reinvent Content Creation on Digital and Commerce Channels
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Accenture acquired CreativeDrive.Read More
Acq Lite
How women can secure the investment they deserve
Women don’t ask for the investment that they need for their businesses; here is how to ask for more money and how to get it Earlier this year, the Treasury published its statistics on venture capital funding highlighting that within the UK, only 1p out of every £1 of venture capital goes to women-led start-ups. Comparatively, all-male founding...
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...
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...
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...
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...