International
Edition 63 · Week 43
EDITION
HOT SELLER THIS WEEK
- On 21 October Edinburgh based engineering consultancy Harley Haddow secured a multi million pound investment from BGF to grow across the UK and buy other businesses. The company works in engineering, building design, fire safety and sustainability. HPC can identify similar engineering and consulting businesses that want investment or buyers and connect them with investors and larger groups.
- On 21 October Stonbury, a UK company working in water and environmental services, bought Thompsons Group, an environmental and tree management business. The deal adds around 50 employees and strengthens Stonbury's environmental services. HPC can source similar environmental companies for buyers looking to grow through acquisitions.
- Tavistock Investments has agreed to sell its King Financial Planning business and assets for £3 million. The deal shows that financial planning companies continue to attract buyers looking to build larger financial services groups. HPC can source independent financial advisers, wealth managers and financial planning businesses for investors and strategic buyers.
- A UK specialist AI business that helps government and public safety organisations understand information, online risks and changing public opinion is available for sale, with offers required by 22 October. The business has annual sales below £500,000 but operates in an important area where governments and large organisations need better technology. HPC can introduce suitable technology buyers, investors and government focused partners.
- Healthcare software companies are becoming attractive acquisition targets as hospitals and pharmacies move more services online. A UK pharmacy software business was recently bought by Canadian software group Valsoft, showing that international buyers are actively looking for specialist healthcare technology. HPC can source similar healthcare software businesses for international buyers.
- Companies are continuing to buy specialist businesses with experienced staff and strong customer relationships. Harley Haddow's new investment is partly being used to fund acquisitions, while other recruitment groups are also using acquisitions to grow. HPC can find recruitment, engineering and specialist staffing businesses for groups looking to expand.
- An established furniture manufacturer in the East Midlands is currently available for sale. The company provides woodworking, furniture assembly, finishing, upholstery and refurbishment services and has long term customer relationships and its own production equipment. HPC can connect manufacturing businesses like this with buyers, investors and larger industrial groups.
- AI data centres need large amounts of electricity and companies are now looking for new ways to provide power when normal grid connections are slow. Businesses working in electricity systems, backup power, energy storage and microgrids are becoming more valuable. HPC can source these companies and introduce them to data centre developers, investors and infrastructure groups.
- The UK AI intelligence business currently available for sale works with information risk, monitoring and decision support for government and enterprise customers. This type of business can also support organisations that need to understand online risks and compliance problems. HPC can source similar risk, compliance and information businesses for professional services groups and investors.
- On 22 October the London Stock Exchange Group agreed to buy financial data company Octus for about $3.54 billion. The deal will give LSEG more financial data and analysis capabilities and is one of its largest acquisitions in recent years. HPC can use this deal as a signal to source smaller financial data, research and analytics companies for strategic buyers and investors.
- LSEG's agreement to buy Octus for about $3.54 billion shows how valuable specialist financial data and research businesses can become. Companies that own useful data, research tools or specialist information can attract much larger buyers. HPC can find smaller data and analytics businesses that could be sold to banks, investment firms and technology companies.
- A Leeds marketing company has expanded by buying a specialist data business, bringing data services into its own group and creating new work from existing customers. The deal shows that marketing companies are looking for better customer data and technology. HPC can source marketing agencies, data companies and digital businesses for buyers looking to expand.
- CBRE has agreed to buy London based Onnec Group in a deal worth up to about $1 billion. Onnec installs and maintains the equipment and cabling used inside data centres. The deal shows how the growth of AI is increasing the value of businesses connected to data centre development. HPC can source data centre sites, contractors and specialist infrastructure businesses.
- The current market continues to show strong demand for AI businesses, particularly companies with working products, specialist data and business customers. A UK AI intelligence company is currently being offered for sale, while larger AI groups continue to raise and deploy billions of pounds and dollars. HPC can identify smaller AI companies that need investment, buyers or international partners.
- LSEG's $3.54 billion purchase of Octus shows the growing importance of technology companies that provide specialist financial data and analysis. Buyers are looking for businesses with useful information, software and established customers. HPC can source smaller financial technology, data and analytics companies for larger technology groups and investors.
- A UK online marketplace for authenticated trainers, streetwear and accessories is currently available for sale, with offers required by 22 October. The platform allows customers to buy and sell new and used products while handling payments, authentication and fulfilment. HPC can connect the business with retail groups, online marketplaces, investors and international buyers.
Sector stories & insights.
Nvidia's Jensen Huang Urges Europe to Adopt AI Faster as Universities Seek Skills Partners
Speaking at his company's Berlin conference on Wednesday, Huang said Europe will only benefit from AI if every end industry adopts it. Universities and training providers want AI labs, safe digital campuses and shared computing power, so they are looking for partners to share the cost.
HPC acts as the broker between these institutions and technology vendors, education investors and research funders. We structure and negotiate the partnership, and earn a success fee of 3% on a transaction value of about $20 million.
The long running partnership aims to keep conserving the mangroves in Siargao. Projects that protect nature and cut emissions are looking for verified buyers and investors.
HPC connects project developers with credible offset purchasers and impact investors, handles the deal structure and due diligence, and takes a 3% success fee on credit sales and offtake agreements of roughly $10 million.
Philippine Peso Sinks Past 63.4 per Dollar for a 34th Record Low in 2026 Ahead of the BSP
The peso hit another record low on Thursday as investors waited for the central bank's rate decision, and Moody's warned of rising risks in small business and retail loans. Globally, Chinese stocks neared a bear market while Treasuries and the yen gained as safe havens. BPI has also named Ginbee Go to succeed Limcaoco as chief executive. Banks and investors are looking for partners to manage risk and raise fresh capital.
HPC introduces investors to banks, asset managers and wealth firms and arranges minority stake sales and joint ventures. Our fee is 2.5% of closed transaction value, on deals of about $80 million.
Officials say a joint order to tackle port congestion could be signed next week. Governments are under pressure to keep trade moving, which opens the door to public and private partnerships.
HPC matches infrastructure sponsors, contractors and lenders with qualifying public private partnership opportunities, supports bid positioning, and earns a 2% success fee on financed projects of around $100 million.
The company says its tools already handle more than 300 million interactions by voice, chat and text, helping with booking, routing, billing and refills. Hospitals and health tech firms are raising money to grow and want partners they can trust.
HPC brokers acquisitions, equity raises and technology partnerships between healthcare operators and specialist investors. We take a 3% success fee on transactions of about $50 million.
A union says Westpac used NAB's mass redundancies as cover for its own cuts, while NAB staff describe offshoring and what they call spill and fill tactics. Banks and employers are rethinking staffing, training and recruitment partnerships.
HPC brokers the sale and merger of recruitment, training and talent platforms, and introduces workforce providers to large employers. Our fee is 3.5% of deal value on transactions near $10 million.
VinFast Parent Vingroup Plans a $500 Million Electric Vehicle Factory in the Philippines
The planned plant would cost nearly 32 billion pesos. Carmakers and their suppliers are looking for factory space, finance and technology partners to build electric vehicles at scale.
HPC places manufacturers and logistics investors into industrial projects and arranges the joint venture or lease terms. We charge a 2.5% success fee on deals of around $150 million.
Alinta Energy Drops Oven Mountain Hydro Project as Oil Climbs on Middle East Tensions
The Australian energy company has ditched the hydro project, while oil prices rose as Middle East tensions escalated. Power outages may also hit consumers in the Visayas. Developers of power, solar, hydro and storage projects are lining up money and buyers.
HPC introduces equity and debt providers to project sponsors and negotiates offtake and financing terms. Our success fee is 2% on projects of about $200 million.
Australian business reporters flagged the record fine on Thursday, just as Meta increased its AI funding. Vodafone's owner also said Aussie Broadband is behind scam calls. Companies need clear advice on privacy, fines and consumer protection rules.
HPC brokers the acquisition of, and partnerships with, compliance, regtech and legal services providers. We earn a 3% success fee on deals of around $20 million.
The company behind GCash now has to show it can deliver results after its big stock market debut. Companies, banks and funds are weighing listings, deals and exits.
HPC sources targets, qualifies buyers and manages the process from first introduction to signing. Our fee is 2% of enterprise value on transactions of about $200 million.
Nick Scali Plunges 16% on a Profit Warning as Retailers Watch Shopper Demand
The furniture retailer's shares dropped sharply after it warned on profit. Brands and retailers want clear data on what shoppers are buying and why.
HPC brokers acquisitions and licensing arrangements between analytics providers and enterprise buyers. We take a 3.5% success fee on deals near $12 million.
The awards will recognise standout leaders and companies across the region. Media firms, event organisers and creators are looking for investors and distribution partners.
HPC arranges equity investments, content licensing and merger transactions for media businesses. Our success fee is 3% on deals of about $25 million.
The Philippine hotel brand is taking its first step into Africa with a big hotel project in Egypt. Developers and investors are looking for land, joint venture partners and long term funding.
HPC connects developers with funders, landowners and offtake partners, and structures the joint ventures. We take a 2% success fee on projects of around $120 million.
Kognitos Launches 61 AI Employees for Finance Teams Backed by 515 Procedures
The startup's role based AI employees come with 515 standard operating procedures and a new agent called Quill that drafts procedures for humans to approve. Founders are looking for their next funding round or a smart exit.
HPC brokers funding rounds and acquisitions between startups and investors. Our fee is 3% of capital raised on rounds of about $20 million.
Meta Raises Spending Plans to Fund AI as Tech Earnings Fail to Calm Investors
Stocks fell after mixed results from Tesla and Meta raised doubts about the recent rebound in AI shares, with Nasdaq 100 futures down 1.6% and S&P 500 futures down 0.9%. Data centre firms, chipmakers and cloud providers are looking for money and anchor customers.
HPC brokers capacity deals, joint ventures and infrastructure financings between operators and investors. Our success fee is 2.5% on transactions of about $150 million.
CF Sharp Opens a New Aseana City Office as Opportunities Grow for Filipino Seafarers
The crewing company has opened a new office in Aseana City, Manila. Shipping firms, hotels and tour operators are looking for fresh capital, new partners and buyers.
HPC arranges sales, recapitalisations and management agreements for hospitality assets. We take a 3% success fee on deals of around $40 million.