Better Capital boss Jon Moulton on Brexit, his firm’s exit and why he still hasn’t forgiven Liam Fox January 16, 2017 Bald, bold and bespectacled, private equity veteran Jon Moulton has had more than his fair share of knocks as well as high points during a long career. He was branded the Christmas Scrooge in December 2014 when City Link collapsed into administration leaving nearly 2,700 jobs at risk. “We made a very bad decision to [...]
Global IPO values set to grow by more than a quarter this year January 16, 2017 Global float activity is expected to rise by just over 25 per cent in 2017, before surging onwards in the following years. This year will see floats reach $167bn (£138bn), according to experts at law firm Baker McKenzie, up from $133bn in 2016. Further floats are expected to see activity dramatically uptick, reaching $275bn in [...]
Tit for tat approach to foreign investment expected in 2017, as governments prepare to get hands on with markets gone wrong January 16, 2017 This year could mark a move towards more protectionist attitudes, with governments closing the door on countries they feel give their own firms a raw deal, a report out today cautions. Law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer's Global Antitrust report highlights a shift towards protectionism, as new trade deals begin to take shape following both Donald Trump's surprise [...]
This is not a drill: Private equity giant in £1bn power tool company takeover January 13, 2017 Private equity giant KKR is drilling further into Japan with a deal to buy a power tool company. KKR’s HK Holdings has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Hitachi Koki, valuing the company at $1.3bn (£1.1bn). Some 40.25 per cent of the company is being bought from Hitachi and 10.9 per cent from Hitachi [...]
This is why investors should hope for an uplift in M&A activity this year January 13, 2017 Investors will be hoping for an uplift in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity this year, with a study highlighting the value added to companies by deals. In 2016, buyers outperformed the average company by 5.4 per cent, according to a Willis Towers Watson (WTW) and Cass Business School study. The outperformance was even more pronounced [...]
Barclays advises government on latest student loans sell-off push January 12, 2017 Bankers have been appointed by the government as it seeks to sell-off up to £12bn-worth of student loans. Ministers are preparing to kick-off the latest sale of loans issued to students before 2012, and City PM has learned Barclays is advising on the deal. The Treasury announced in last year’s Autumn Statement that it was continuing to [...]
Germany’s Hubert Burda Media buys Radio Times and other UK magazines for £270m January 12, 2017 A German media company has announced a deal to buy Radio Times and more than 70 other magazines. Munich-based Hubert Burda Media is understood to have acquired Immediate Media from its private equity owner Exponent and Management for £270m. Announcing the deal this morning, Burda noted that Immediate has more than 19m consumers each month, [...]
Government comes under fire for Green Investment Bank sale after claims Macquarie is planning asset-strip January 11, 2017 The government has come under scrutiny today over the privatisation of the Green Investment Bank. The Commons Environmental Audit Committee today raised concerns about the proposed sale to Australian investment bank Macquarie, which is believed to be the favoured bidder. It was reported over the weekend that Macquarie is planning to strip the bank of its [...]
Veteran newspaper exec leads takeover plot for Richard Desmond titles January 10, 2017 A former News of the World editor is spearheading a takeover plot for Richard Desmond’s newspapers and magazines. David Montgomery, also a former Mirror Group chief executive, is seeking to drum up funds for a new media investment vehicle. Read more: Daily Express owner mulling sale of tabloids to rival Trinity Mirror Montgomery, who City [...]
Grand Union shake-up: London bar owners appoint advisers for sale January 10, 2017 The owners of trendy London bar chain Grand Union have appointed advisers as they seek to sell the business. Leisure property specialist Coffer Corporate Leisure has been taken on to handle the sale of Grand Union, City PM has learned. Read more: Craft beer may have just met its match The chain, which specialises in [...]
