On Friday, London’s stock market received attention as an LED face mask manufacturer made its debut through an initial public offering (IPO). This coincided with the announcement from Princes Group, known for brands like Princes tinned fish and Napolina tomatoes, about its plans to list shares in the UK market.
Laurence Newman, co-founder of The Beauty Tech Group, expressed pride in choosing London for a proposed £300 million IPO. Newman highlighted that his company, based in Cheshire, has grown from a local business to an international entity, emphasizing his commitment to supporting the London market.
Princes Group, which generates an annual revenue of £2.1 billion and is owned by the Italian firm Newlat, is also looking to list its shares. Based in Liverpool since its establishment 150 years ago, the group is aiming for a valuation of £1.5 billion and plans to raise around £400 million for expansion purposes. Recently, NewPrinces acquired Princes from Mitsubishi for £700 million.
Chief Executive Simon Harrison described a London Stock Exchange listing as a logical next step for Princes Group. Harrison stated that access to capital would facilitate acquisition plans and growth in their product range and international presence. Executive Chair Angelo Mastrolia noted the company’s confidence in its leadership and the opportunities available in the UK market.
In addition to these developments, British lender Shawbrook is expected to initiate its long-awaited IPO soon. The real estate investment trust Fermi recently opted for a dual listing in both London and the US.
Despite this surge in new listings, the overall fundraising activity from IPOs in London has reportedly fallen to its lowest level in 30 years. Meanwhile, Treasury officials are exploring possible exemptions on the 0.5% tax on share transactions for newly listed companies to enhance the attractiveness of the UK market.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/oct/03/lse-boost-as-beauty-group-lists-and-tinned-fish-brand-confirms-plans-for-ipo