Finance & Risk
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One Click LCA acquires SimaPro to enhance sustainability solutions. The acquisition aims to provide companies with tools to assess and reduce carbon footprints, complying with regulations such as the EU Construction Products Regulation and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive….
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Wood Group nears Sidara takeover as Boots goes private. The UK M&A market saw high-profile transactions this week, spanning energy, retail, fashion, infrastructure, and leisure. From Wood Group’s contested future to Boots’ transition into private ownership, the breadth of deals underscores both sector diversity and investor appetite.
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Ineos invests in Castore, shifting Belstaff ownership in strategic deal. The company’s strategic investment in sports apparel brand Castore facilitates Castore’s acquisition of heritage brand Belstaff, marking a shift towards luxury fashion.
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Payment data creates hidden risks in fragmented digital systems. Large organisations are increasingly exposed as customer and supplier payment details spread across spreadsheets, shared folders, and manual processes. Mark Bish, Principal Product Manager at Bottomline, explains how tokenisation can reduce vulnerabilities, strengthen compliance, and streamline operations without disrupting payment workflows.
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Wood Group backs Sidara’s new 30p offer amid FCA probe. The Aberdeen-based engineering group is “minded to recommend” a revised takeover offer from Dubai’s Sidara, despite suspended trading, delayed accounts, and ongoing scrutiny from the UK’s financial watchdog.
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Blackstone to acquire Shermco for $1.6 billion. Shermco, a Texas-based electrical services provider, will be acquired by Blackstone, enhancing its focus on energy transition and electrification opportunities. The acquisition is part of Blackstone’s ongoing strategy in this sector….
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Broadcasting, biotech, and wealth management dominated U.S. M&A this week. Nexstar’s $6.2 billion bid for Tegna led the headlines, while Honeywell added utility platforms, XOMA Royalty expanded in oncology, and wealth managers pursued consolidation. Mubadala’s take-private of CI Financial added sovereign weight to a diverse week of deals.
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UK M&A activity spanned semiconductors, fintech, property, advisory, and aerospace. Five key transactions defined this week, led by Haylo Labs’ security-approved purchase of Plessey, alongside Starling’s acquisition of Ember and Leonard Curtis’s stake sale to Pollen Street Capital, highlighting national-interest sectors and private capital momentum.
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UK banks close over a third of branches in five years. Traditional banks have significantly reduced their physical presence, citing increased digital banking adoption. This trend is driven by changing customer preferences, though it has raised concerns about access to cash services.
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Rachel Reeves may extend the freeze on income tax thresholds. Such a move could increase the tax burden on high earners and draw more individuals into higher tax brackets. Analysts predict potential tax rises to address fiscal challenges.