LONDON: Aptamer Group plc, a company that develops novel Optimer binders for the life sciences industry, has signed a deal with a biotech firm that makes genetic medicines. The deal involves using Aptamer Group’s platform to discover Optimers that can target genetic medicines to specific cells. Aptamer Group will get up to £553,000 for this…
Invesco Select Trust Plc to simplify its structure and boost its dividend
LONDON, UK: Invesco Select Trust Plc, a multi-asset investment trust, has announced plans to restructure its business and increase its dividend payouts to shareholders. The company, which was launched in 2006, currently has four share classes that allow investors to choose from different asset classes and switch between them tax-efficiently. However, the company said that…
abrdn Diversified Income and Growth plc to wind down and return cash to shareholders
LONDON, UK: abrdn Diversified Income and Growth plc (the “Company”) has announced that it will wind down its operations and return cash to shareholders following feedback from its shareholders and the persistent discount to its net asset value (“NAV”). The Company will seek shareholder approval for the change of its investment objective and policy at…
Serco Group to acquire European Homecare (EHC) for €40 million
LONDON, UK: Serco Group Plc has agreed to acquire European Homecare (EHC), a specialist provider of immigration services to public sector customers in Germany. The business is to be acquired from Korte-Stiftung for €40m (£34m). In the year ended 31 December 2023, revenue for European Homecare (EHC) is expected to be around €150m (£130m). Completion…
Chris Weston to be appointed Thames Water Chief Executive Officer
LONDON, UK: Thames Water Utilities Finance plc announced the appointment of Chris Weston as Chief Executive Officer of Thames Water Utilities Limited with effect from 8 January 2024. Chris Weston was formerly CEO of FTSE 250 Aggreko plc for seven years, a multi-national business operating in 45 countries. Previously he was at Centrica, where his…
Zanaga Iron Ore Company appoints Martin Knauth as Chief Executive Officer
LONDON, UK: Zanaga Iron Ore Company announced the appointment of Martin Knauth as Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect. Mr Knauth is a senior mining executive with extensive experience in the industry spanning more than 30 years in a wide range of cultures, countries and commodities, with notable success in project development, operations and transformational…
RollKall appoints Brad Duea as CEO
TEXAS: RollKall, a leading provider of innovative law enforcement technology solutions, has appointed Brad Duea as its new Chief Executive Officer to lead the company’s next phase of growth and innovation. Brad Duea, a seasoned leader in emerging markets and the technology sector, brings a wealth of experience, and his track record features transformative roles…
Telenor Pakistan B.V. signs deal to sell 100% of Telenor Pakistan to PTCL for NOK 5.3 billion
OSLO, NORWAY: Telenor has concluded the strategic review process of Pakistan. Telenor Pakistan B.V. (a privately limited company organised under the laws of the Netherlands) has signed an agreement to sell 100% of Telenor Pakistan (Private) Limited to Pakistan Telecommunications Company Ltd (PTCL), the national telecommunications and ICT company in Pakistan. The buyer is a…
Andalusia Labs raises $48M, moves to Abu Dhabi
Andalusia Labs, a leading provider of risk management solutions for digital assets, has secured $48 million in a Series A funding round led by Lightspeed Venture Partners, valuing the company at over $1 billion. The round also saw participation from Mubadala Capital, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund, and several existing investors, including…
Belgium and ENGIE agree to extend nuclear reactors until 2035
PARIS: Belgium and ENGIE, the French energy giant, have signed a final agreement to extend the operation of two nuclear reactors, Tihange 3 and Doel 4, until 2035. The agreement also covers the obligations related to nuclear waste management for all ENGIE’s nuclear facilities in Belgium. Catherine MacGregor, Chief Executive Officer of ENGIE, stated: “We…
Petra Diamonds may sell Koffiefontein Diamond Mine in South Africa
LONDON, UK: Petra Diamonds has entered into a non-binding term sheet on an exclusive basis with an interested party for the potential sale of the Koffiefontein Diamond Mine in South Africa. Petra has been exploring a responsible exit from Koffiefontein since April 2022, with the operation being placed on care and maintenance in November 2022. …
EasyJet CEO outlines growth strategy and ambitious targets
LONDON: In a presentation to shareholders on Wednesday, Johan Lundgren, the CEO of easyJet, revealed the airline’s growth strategy and ambitious targets for the next decade. He highlighted the airline’s resilience and competitive advantage in the European market, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the conflict in the Middle East, and the supply…