Surfdome owner Internet Fusion Group in race to find buyer

Business

The company behind a group of well-known outdoor sports clothing brands is racing to find a buyer months after the collapse of a deal to reverse it into a London-listed cash shell.

Sky News has learnt that FRP Advisory, the professional services firm, has been drafted in to find a buyer for Internet Fusion Group (IFG), which owns fashion labels including Surfdome and Derby House, an equestrian brand.

City sources said that FRP was trying to identify a buyer and conclude a transaction within days.

Under a deal announced in July 2021, IFG was supposed to reverse into Hawkwing, a listed company.

John Browett, the former boss of high street electrical goods retailer Dixons and Dunelm, was lined up to be executive chairman of the combined group, although he is no longer involved with IFG.

Hawkwing itself appointed Kroll, the restructuring firm, as administrators last month.

Read more from business:
Flexible workspace giant IWG eyes £800m deal for Worka
Silicon Valley Bank’s UK arm sees sharp inflows after £1 HSBC rescue

Potential buyers of IFG, which also owns Country Attire and Simply Scuba, have been told that cashflow and inflationary pressures have triggered an accelerated sale process.

The company employs about 300 people.

It was unclear on Friday whether contingency plans had been developed in the event of a failure to find new backers.

FRP declined to comment, while IFG could not be reached for comment.

Articles You May Like

Who will fill the shoes of those picked in the first round of the NFL draft?
Who is John Swinney? The frontrunner to become first minister
Favorite Fierceness draws No. 17 post for Derby
Coterra’s smart pivot to oil from natural gas leads to an excellent first quarter and sweeter outlook
Ex-Camelot chief Railton to be named new Post Office chair