Chilango launches CVA that could wipe out burrito bond investors December 10, 2019 Around 1,500 bondholders are set to be left with a sour taste in their mouths after Chilango launched a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) that could see their investments rendered virtually worthless. The stricken Mexican chain raised over £5.8m across two mini-bond offerings – dubbed burrito bonds – in 2014 and 2019, with bondholders promised eight [...]
Number of cyber incidents reported by financial services firms explodes July 1, 2019 The number of cyber incidents financial services firms reported to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) rocketed in 2018, data published today reveals. Financial services firms reported 819 cyber incidents to the FCA in 2018, up from 69 in 2017, according to data obtained in a freedom of information request by accountancy firm RSM. Retail banks [...]
BDO still leads the beancounter charts with most clients on Aim July 29, 2019 BDO has extended its lead as the beancounter with the most clients on London’s alternative investment market (Aim), according to a new report from Adviser Rankings. Read more: Accountancy firm of the year Big four accountancy group PwC also nudged up into third place on the table by total constituent numbers, while RSM has moved [...]
Pubs cash in on bank holiday heatwave but fears grow for restaurant sector September 9, 2019 A sunny spell through the August bank holiday helped London watering holes increase their late-summer sales, according to a closely-followed industry measure. Thirsty punters gravitated to drink-led pubs in the capital, which enjoyed a five per cent like-for-like boost in sales compared to the same period last year. Read more: Wetherspoons toasts no-deal Brexit by [...]
UK peer-to-peer finance company Lendy collapses amid investigation May 25, 2019 UK property finance firm Lendy has collapsed and administrators from RSM have been appointed following a court order on Friday afternoon. The lender is under investigation by financial regulators, and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said the appointment was made "following action taken by the FCA". Read more: Treasury launches probe into FCA's review of London Capital & Finance "There is [...]
Chilango CVA: Creditors back rescue plan for struggling burrito chain January 6, 2020 Chilango’s creditors and shareholders have backed a rescue package to keep the struggling Mexican restaurant chain afloat, paving the way for the company to slash rents and exit some leases. Chilango launched a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) in early December, which was first reported by City A.M., in a bid to avoid administration. Read more: [...]
Goals Soccer Centres bought by Soccerworld and private equity firm Inflexion after accounting fiasco October 31, 2019 Five-a-side football operator Goals Soccer Centres has been acquired today by rival Soccerworld and private equity firm Inflexion. Goals has been hit by an accounting scandal after its auditor BDO discovered it had mis-declared VAT amounting to at least £13.2m. The company delisted its shares from Aim in August after it declared it was unable [...]
City Moves for 23 September – Who’s switching jobs at Finncap, the FCA and Gama Aviation? September 23, 2019 Today’s City Moves includes Finncap, the FCA and Gama Aviation. Finncap Finncap, an adviser and broker to ambitious growth companies, has announced that it has appointed highly-experienced specialist Leigh Webb to head its private equity sponsor coverage and expand its mergers and acquisitions (M&A) advisory business across the mid-market private equity community. He brings an [...]
Hot weather helps pubs and restaurants post modest monthly sales growth August 12, 2019 British pubs and restaurant groups enjoyed increased sales in July, as eateries showed signs of recovering from poor trading last summer. Restaurant groups posted a 3.8 per cent increase in like-for-like sales compared to last July, when hot weather and the football World Cup took their toll on business. Read more: Restaurants eat into retailers’ [...]
City Moves for 6 September – Who’s switching jobs at Stonehage Fleming, the Financial Conduct Authority and Cipfa? September 6, 2019 Today’s City Moves includes Stonehage Fleming, the Financial Conduct Authority and Cipfa. Stonehage Fleming Chris Merry has been appointed group chief executive of independently owned international wealth management company Stonehage Fleming. Formerly chief executive of Ipes, a European provider of fund administration and outsourcing services, Chris will be based in Stonehage Fleming’s London office. Chris [...]