Deals
NorthEdge Capital, a private equity firm focussed on the North of England, has provided a multi million pound injection of development capital into the company behind premium casual dining brands Neighbourhood and Victor’s.
East Coast Concepts, which was founded by entrepreneur James Hitchen and his brother Guy, currently operates the all day eatery and late bar Neighbourhood in Spinningfields which has recently undergone a GBP1 million refurbishment and the East Coast inspired Victor’s, based in Hale. Both brands have developed strong followings in the region due to their unique atmosphere and innovative menus, based around premium steaks, fresh seafood and
Union Oil and Gas Group (UOGG), a subsidiary of private equity firm Union Group, and state corporation Empresa Nicaraguense del Petróleo (‘PETRONIC), are to sign an agreement for future operations in four oil and gas blocks in the Sandino Basin offshore of Nicaragua.
The agreement, which is currently being finalised via governmental process, will grant UOGG priority rights to the exploitation of hydrocarbons in these blocks and marks the company’s first expansion into Central America after recent rapid growth in Peru, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia.
“This is an important step towards our establishment of a major oil and gas
A Coventry-based manufacturer that provides specialist modification to vehicles in the automotive, aerospace, defence and rail sectors has received a GBP1million investment.
Penso City Vehicles will use the funding to invest in tools to modify the Mercedes Vito Tourer into a low emission taxi, including improving its turning circle and enabling side door wheelchair access. The deal will see the business create 20 new jobs and safeguard a further 50 in the next 12 months.
The firm, which currently employs more than 200 people at its new factory in Coventry, has more than 15 years’ engineering experience working with automotive
Union Oil and Gas Group (UOGG), a subsidiary of private equity firm Union Group, and state corporation Empresa Nicaraguense del Petróleo (‘PETRONIC), are to sign an agreement for future operations in four oil and gas blocks in the Sandino Basin offshore of Nicaragua.
The agreement, which is currently being finalised via governmental process, will grant UOGG priority rights to the exploitation of hydrocarbons in these blocks and marks the company’s first expansion into Central America after recent rapid growth in Peru, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia.
“This is an important step towards our establishment of a major oil and gas
Law firm Howard Kennedy is advising Lebanese restaurant chain Comptoir Group on its AIM listing, raising some GBP16 million.
Comptoir Group currently operates 11 Comptoir Libanais restaurants, together with further franchise outlets. It also operates two smaller Lebanese and Eastern Mediterranean outlets under the Shawa brand, and a further two standalone high-end restaurants called Levant and Kenza.
The restaurant group was created by Tony Kitous, who came to Britain in 1998 with just GBP70 in his pocket. He opened his first restaurant in 1993 after selling harissa and merguez sandwiches and home-made lemonade outside his local football club. Comptoir Group
Biopharmaceutical company IFM Therapeutics has closed a USD27 million Series A financing led by Atlas Venture and Abingworth, with participation from Novartis.
In conjunction with the funding Jean-François Formela and Vincent Miles, Partners at Atlas and Abingworth respectively, have joined IFM’s CEO, Gary D. Glick, on the board of directors, with Dr. Formela serving as chair of the board.
IFM Therapeutics raises USD27M Series A to develop novel immune modulators for cancer and inflammatory diseases
IFM Therapeutics, incubated as a part of the Atlas Venture seed program, is developing modulators of novel targets that either enhance innate immune responses for
PwC's new Global 100 Software Leaders ranking illustrates a rapidly shifting landscape and reveals three key trends among companies that are taking advantage of both evolutionary and revolutionary changes in the software industry.
Within this shifting environment, the interwoven trends of digital innovation, Industry 4.0 and convergence are driving opportunities to create smarter, leaner and better software. As these trends fuel the industry, we're seeing an increasing number of startups coming to the forefront, adding to the challenges facing legacy software vendors and their customers.
The three key themes weigh heavily on PwC's overarching research findings:
• The software industry
IFM Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company developing a portfolio of small molecules targeting the innate immune system, has closed a USD27 million Series A financing led by Atlas Venture and Abingworth, with participation from Novartis.
In conjunction with the funding Jean-François Formela and Vincent Miles, Partners at Atlas and Abingworth respectively, have joined IFM’s CEO, Gary D Glick, on the board of directors, with Dr Formela serving as chair of the board.
IFM Therapeutics, incubated as a part of the Atlas Venture seed program, is developing modulators of novel targets that either enhance innate immune responses for treating cancer, or dampen
AlphaCore Capital, a La Jolla, CA based investment advisor has seen increased demand for alternative allocations from independent advisors.
The firm has expanded their team and hired Senior Investment Advisor Brett Upper to assist independent advisors navigate the changing alternative investment universe. While demand for alternative investments from advisors has increased, so has the need for expertise in this widely dispersed investment space.
AlphaCore works with advisors and investors to integrate alternative investments as a core allocation in tandem with traditional investments.
Upper strongly believes that the demand for alternative investments from advisors underscores the positive effect of alternatives in
Tortoise Credit Strategies, part of the Tortoise Investments family, has completed the previously announced management buy-out by key Bradford & Marzec employees and Tortoise Credit Strategies.
Bradford & Marzec’s team-based investment decision process, utilised for 32 years through numerous business and economic cycles, and the core investment team remain the same. Employees and firm management now collectively own approximately 37 per cent, with the remainder owned by Tortoise Investments. Founders Ted Bradford and Zelda Marzec exited their equity positions and remain employees to ensure a smooth transition.
The Tortoise family has a long history in income and energy investing, with
Events
12 November, 2026 – 8:00 am
12 November, 2026 – 5:00 pm
