Quelle surprise: Bridgepoint sells former Government Chemist LGC

I'm glad to see Bridgepoint, the UK-based private equity firm, has finally confirmed it's sold LGC to US buy-out giant KKR.

Now, I'm not necessarily pleased for Bridgepoint, who I'm sure has made a ton of cash from its investment in LGC (from what I recall LGC was privatised for £3 million but the private equity firm was expected to sell it for between £700 million and £900 million). It's just good to see one of my stories - that was denied to me at the time of publication by the parties involved - has finally been confirmed.

First round bids for Government's chemist expected next week...

Here's an interesting snippet regarding a takeover situation I wrote about for the Mail on Sunday in August.

I understand the £700 million auction for LGC - which acts the British Government's chemist - is about kick off in earnest.

Land Registry privatisation plans go up in smoke

My "exclusive" story on the cancellation of the Land Registry privatisation is about to be confirmed, according to newspaper reports.

Readers might remember that the Mail on Sunday's business section splashed on my Land Registry tale just over a couple of weeks ago. Here is a link to the piece: http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-2673336/Vince-Cable-scraps-1-2-billion-Land-Registry-sell-off.html

Mike Ashley said to eye a European purchase

Interesting to see Mike Ashley's Sports Direct deny speculation that the company is planning buy shoe chain Office. Here is a link to the statement from Sports Direct: http://www.investegate.co.uk/sports-direct-intl---spd-/rns/trade-speculation---office/201406300700158347K/

I spent the whole of last week trying to stand up a story that Ashley - a true maverick - is trying to purchase a retailer in "Europe" (i.e. outside of the UK) for the Mail on Sunday's business section.