LONDON: Squeeze, a US-based tech platform that helps consumers save on their recurring insurance contracts, has announced the acquisition of Youtility, a UK start-up that provides embedded home finance management services to banks and fintechs. The deal will create a new offering for UK consumers, who will be able to manage, track and take action…
TotalEnergies signs deal to acquire German company Quadra Energy
PARIS, FRANCE: TotalEnergies has signed agreements with the Aloys Wobben Foundation (AWS) to acquire the entire share capital of the German company Quadra Energy. Founded in 2012 and boasting a “virtual power plant” totaling 9 GW, Quadra Energy is one of the top 3 aggregators of renewable electricity production in Germany – the largest power…
Van Elle Holdings to acquire Rock and Alluvium Limited for £3.8 million
LONDON, UK: Van Elle Holdings plc (AIM: VANL), the UK’s largest ground engineering contractor, has agreed to acquire the entire issued share capital of Rock and Alluvium Limited, a leading UK based piling specialist, for a total consideration of up to £3.8m on a cash-free, debt-free basis, subject to completion accounts. Based in Leatherhead, Rock…
Pizza Express eyes rival bid for Wagamama owner, The Restaurant Group
LONDON: Pizza Express, the debt-laden restaurant chain, has asked for due diligence from The Restaurant Group PLC (TRG), the owner of Wagamama and other brands. This could lead to a rival offer for TRG, which has already agreed to a £500 million takeover by Apollo Global Management. Wheel Topco, the entity that controls Pizza Express,…
First Class Metals gets permits for two key properties in Ontario
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: First Class Metals PLC, a UK-listed metals exploration company, has obtained two Exploration Permits for its North Hemlo and Esa properties in the Hemlo area of Ontario, Canada. The permits are valid for three years and will enable the company to conduct various exploration activities, including drilling, stripping, and trenching. The company’s goal…
hipages Group to sell 19.5% in PropTech Labs to Home Trades Hub Australia for $8.4 million
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: hipages Group Holdings (ASX: HPG), Australia and New Zealand’s largest online tradie marketplace and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider, signed an agreement with Home Trades Hub Australia (HTHA) to divest its 19.5% stake in PropTech Labs for $8.4 million. Home Trades Hub Australia (HTHA) is a subsidiary of Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV). PropTech…
Payoneer and Etsy partner to support sellers in emerging markets
NEW YORK: Payoneer, a fintech company that helps SMBs transact and grow globally, announced a collaboration with Etsy, a global online marketplace for unique and creative goods, to support its seller offering, Etsy Payments. The collaboration will enable Etsy to streamline payments to sellers and create economic opportunities for more entrepreneurs in emerging markets. Etsy…
Pearl Street acquires Famous Brands Franchising, parent of Mrs. Fields and TCBY
NEW YORK: Pearl Street Equity LLC, a New York-based single-family office, has announced the acquisition of Famous Brands International franchising business, the parent company of two popular brands, Mrs. Fields® and TCBY® (The Country’s Best Yogurt). The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Famous Brands Franchising, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, operates…
Unilever appoints Fernando Fernandez as new CFO, changes leadership executive
LONDON, UK: Unilever today announced Fernando Fernandez as its new Chief Financial Officer after a thorough internal and external search process. Fernando, currently President of Unilever’s Beauty & Wellbeing Business Group, will replace Graeme Pitkethly, who announced his decision to retire from the company earlier this year. Fernando’s appointment is effective from 1 January 2024,…
UPS agrees to buy Happy Returns
ATLANTA: UPS, the global leader in package delivery, has announced its plan to buy Happy Returns, a company that specializes in making online returns easy and convenient. Happy Returns provides software and logistics services that allow customers to return their online purchases without boxes or labels at various drop-off locations. UPS hopes to leverage Happy…
GFH to buy Saudi food and logistics firm for SAR 500 million
RIYADH: GFH Financial Group announced today that it has signed to acquire a leading food services and logistics company in Saudi Arabia, with an enterprise value of about SAR 500 million. The deal was announced at the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh. The company has a strong financial performance and a diverse customer base of…
Santander profits soar on record-high interest rates
Santander, Spain’s biggest lender, reported a 20 per cent increase in net profit in the third quarter, as it benefited from the highest interest rates in the eurozone’s history. The bank earned €2.9bn in the three months to September, beating analysts’ expectations of €2.8bn. The strong performance was driven by a 16 per cent rise…