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Online retailer The Very Group has been taken over by US private equity firm Carlyle, bringing an end to more than 20 years under the ownership of the Barclay family.

The Littlewoods and Very owner confirmed that Washington-based Carlyle – a major lender to the firm – had become its controlling shareholder, with fellow lender Abu Dhabi-based investment fund, International Media Investments (IMI), continuing as a “key stakeholder”.

It ends a lengthy period under the ownership of the Barclay family, which has been forced to give up control of a raft of businesses in recent years, including The Daily Telegraph newspaper, The Ritz hotel in London and delivery company Yodel.

Carlyle and IMI first became lenders to The Very Group in 2021.

Robbie Feather, group chief executive of The Very Group, said: “This marks an important milestone for The Very Group as we move into an exciting new phase of growth.

“We are delighted to continue to partner with Carlyle and IMI.

“Their continued backing provides us with a stronger foundation to execute on our strategy, increase investment in technology and the customer experience and to build on the momentum across the business.”

The Barclay family, headed by identical twins Sir Frederick and the late Sir David, had bought the then Littlewoods catalogue business in 2002, before merging the business with Shop Direct in 2004, creating what in later years was rebranded as The Very Group.

Sir David died aged 86 in January 2021.

The brothers were among the UK’s most high-profile businessmen, whose assets made them billionaires at one stage and the family one of the richest in Britain.

But the family’s fortunes have apparently worsened in recent years and they lost control of the Telegraph newspapers after the family struggled to repay hefty loans.

Despite the change in control, Very Group – which sells electrical products, homeware and clothing – has delivered rising profits and just last month reported a 16% rise in underlying earnings to £307 million for the year to June 28 as sales reached £2.1 billion.

Mr Feather paid tribute to the Barclay family, recognising “their stewardship and contribution to the company over the past two decades”.

The company said: “Over this period and thanks to their leadership, The Very Group has grown significantly – evolving from a traditional catalogue business into one of the UK’s largest and most dynamic online retailers.

“The Barclay family pass on a business that is performing very strongly.”

Former chancellor Nadhim Zahawi is chairman of Very Group, having been appointed to the role in May last year.

LONDON, Nov. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Newmark Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NMRK) (“Newmark” or “the Company”), a leading commercial real estate advisor and service provider to large institutional investors, global corporations, and other owners and occupiers, is pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew Wheldon and Matthew Bailey to its European Finance team, a move that underscores the Company’s commitment to expanding its world-class capital markets advisory in Europe. Wheldon, one of the UK’s leading real estate debt advisors, and Bailey, a premier structured finance investment banker, bring a combined 50-plus years of experience guiding complex transactions for top institutions. Their expertise further elevates Newmark’s global Debt, Equity and Structured Finance business across asset classes such as Residential, Offices, Industrial, Hospitality, Data Centres, Energy and powered land.

Michael Lehrman, President of UK and Europe, commented:
“Newmark’s continued investment in debt and structured finance is a cornerstone of our global capital markets strategy. Expanding this capability in Europe enables us to unlock cross-border capital flows, create deeper connectivity for our clients and deliver advisory solutions that match the sophistication of global capital markets today.”

Newmark has invested in expanding its Capital Markets capabilities worldwide. Wheldon and Bailey, who join as Managing Directors, follow the recent appointments of Andrew Allen, Hoong Wey Woon, Max Hagelstein and Phil Creed and data centre finance specialists Oliver Weston and Hamish Smith, among others, mark a significant expansion of Newmark’s Debt & Structured Finance offerings in Europe, led by Featherstone and Charlie Foster¹. In the U.S., Newmark has grown its debt origination market share by a multiple of six over the past decade².

Matthew Featherstone, Head of Debt & Structured Finance, UK & Europe, said:
“Andrew and Matthew’s specialist expertise in the living sector and structured finance significantly enhances our ability to advise on complex transactions and deliver innovative financing solutions for clients. Their experience strengthens our market position and deepens the bench of senior talent driving our growth across Europe.”

Andrew Wheldon joins Newmark as one of the UK’s foremost living sector debt advisors. With more than two decades of experience spanning capital advisory, real estate banking, development and asset management, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the UK living market. Andrew previously held senior roles at RBS, Lloyds Banking Group and CBRE Capital Advisors, where he led residential debt advisory, and later founded the UK arm of a pan-European capital advisory firm.

Matthew Bailey brings a distinguished track record in structured finance, specializing in commercial mortgage-backed securities, non-performing loans, restructurings and debt capital markets. Bailey has led the origination, structuring and execution of major structured real estate bond transactions across Europe.  He previously held senior roles at UBS, Commerzbank, HSBC Investment Bank and SitusAMC, Matthew graduated with an Applauded First from Oxford University where he received a BA in German and Philosophy and a Master’s in Philosophy.

About Newmark
Newmark Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NMRK), together with its subsidiaries (“Newmark”), is a world leader in commercial real estate, seamlessly powering every phase of the property life cycle. Newmark’s comprehensive suite of services and products is uniquely tailored to each client, from owners to occupiers, investors to founders, and startups to blue-chip companies. Combining the platform’s global reach with market intelligence in both established and emerging property markets, Newmark provides superior service to clients across the industry spectrum. For the twelve months ended September 30, 2025, Newmark generated revenues of over $3.1 billion. As of September 30, 2025, Newmark and its business partners together operated from approximately 170 offices with over 8,500 professionals across four continents. To learn more, visit nmrk.com or follow @newmark.

Discussion of Forward-Looking Statements about Newmark
Statements in this document regarding Newmark that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” that involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These include statements about the Company’s business, results, financial position, liquidity, and outlook, which may constitute forward-looking statements and are subject to the risk that the actual impact may differ, possibly materially, from what is currently expected. Except as required by law, Newmark undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. For a discussion of additional risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see Newmark’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including, but not limited to, the risk factors and Special Note on Forward-Looking Information set forth in these filings and any updates to such risk factors and Special Note on Forward-Looking Information contained in subsequent reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q or Form 8-K.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2817381/Matthew_Bailey_Andrew_Wheldon.jpg 
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1057994/Newmark_Group_Logo_v1.jpg

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