British food outlet operator Select Service Partner (SSP) has denied the appointment of advisors for initial public offering (IPO).
Following speculation that Swedish private equity firm EQT Partners plans to list SSP on the London Stock Exchange later this year, SSP issued the following statement:
“You may have read reports in the press speculating on an SSP IPO and the appointment of an advisory bank. Having been privately owned by EQT for morethan seven years, there will inevitably be media speculation about a potential exit.
“However, we can confirm that we have not appointed any advisors.”
Reported by Sky News, a flotation would signal the arrival of British foodservice brands like Caffè Ritazza and Upper Crust on the stock market.
It also stated that EQT could sell SSP privately, but listings have been predicted for the second or third quarter of the year.
SSP is one of the UK’s largest private sector employers with around 30,000 staff.
The equity firm purchased SSP in 2006 and, under its ownership, SSP has expanded significantly; it now has a presence at 140 airports and more than 250 rail stations, with 2,100 units in 30 countries.
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