Mining Giants Glencore, Rio Tinto Confirm Merger Talks

By Dawood Fakhir

Anglo-Swiss mining giant Glencore said Friday that it is in talks with British rival Rio Tinto for a possible megamerger that could create the world's largest company in the industry, in a deal worth more than $200 billion.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

WH Ireland Investors Back £13M Buy Of Rival Asset Manager

By Tom Fish

Shareholders of WH Ireland Group PLC have voted almost unanimously for the asset manager's proposed acquisition by a rival, Team PLC, in an all-share deal that values the company at £12.7 million ($17 million).

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

ASR Nederland To Buy Bovemij's Insurance Arm For €185M

By Tom Fish

​Dutch insurer ASR Nederland NV said Thursday it has agreed to acquire the insurance operations of Bovemij NV, a local provider of transportation cover, for €185 million ($248.5 million) in cash.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

UK Safety Biz Halma Buys Italian Firm Safetec For €72.5M

By Dawood Fakhir

British safety technology business Halma said Friday it has acquired Italian fire and gas safety company Safetec Srl for up to €72.5 million ($84.3 million), adding more products to its portfolio for complex industrial environments.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Brief

Unite Student Halls Biz's £100M Buyback Sign Of Confidence

By Irene Madongo

Unite Group PLC said Friday that it will launch a stock buyback program worth up to £100 million ($134 million) as the student accommodation business looks to downsize its share capital.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Charity Watchdog Probes City And Guilds' Business Arm Sale

By Eddie Beaver

England and Wales' charity regulator revealed Friday that it has opened a statutory inquiry into the City and Guilds of London Institute, examining the educational organization's estimated approximately £180 million ($242 million) sale of its awards businesses over concerns related to executives' bonuses.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Roundup

UK Litigation Roundup: Here's What You Missed In London

By Laura Stewart Liberty

This past week in London has seen a collapsed investment firm revive a $15 million dispute with a hedge fund, major Hollywood studios bring an IP claim against the U.K.'s largest internet providers over illegal streaming, and the Department of Health and Social Care sue the law firm and barrister representing it in a pharma competition damages case.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »