Chesnara (LSE:CSN) CEO Steve Murray says two major acquisitions have transformed the group's scale, with around £1 billion in expected lifetime cash flows. He's relaxed about market volatility and says the balance sheet could support another deal similar in size to Scottish Widows Europe. Itaconix (AIM:ITX, OTCQB:ITXXF, FRA:18G0) CEO John Shaw says revenues hit $10.5 million last year, up 61%, and he's targeting $25 to $30 million within five years. The plant-based ingredient company is winning business across detergent brands in both Europe and North America. IXICO (LSE:IXI, OTC:PHYOF, FRA:PYPB) CEO Bram Goorden says its new Medidata partnership opens the door to thousands of global clinical trials. The collaboration strengthens IXICO’s ability to scale, giving the company access to larger and more complex clinical trials. MP Evans (AIM:MPE) had a record 2025 — gross profit hit $142 million on the back of strong palm oil prices and bigger harvests. The company is debt-free, still buying land, and says 2026 has started well. Quadrise (AIM:QED) CEO Peter Borup says the company is down to two outstanding items before its large-scale trial with MSC and Cargill can move forward. While the green transition remains important, cost competitiveness is critical in the current environment. Follow us and subscribe on YouTube, our social channels, and on proactiveinvestors.co.uk.

Chesnara PLC (LSE:CSN) CEO Steve Murray talked with Proactive's Stephen Gunnion about the company’s transformational progress following two major acquisitions and what investors can expect next. Murray explained how these deals significantly increase the group’s scale, with a “material increase in the size of the balance sheet” and around £1 billion in expected lifetime cash flows. He highlighted that this strengthens long-term capital generation and supports Chesnara’s dividend strategy. The discussion also covered the integration process following the HSBC Life (UK) deal, including data quality, system migration, and onboarding over 200 employees. Murray noted that a dedicated internal and external team is managing the process, supported by a modern platform partnership with SS&C, adding that the company is “confident that we should be able to deliver the required work this year.” Looking ahead, Chesnara is prioritising integration in the near term but remains active in evaluating M&A opportunities. Murray pointed out that the company’s strong solvency position and available liquidity could support another transaction of similar size to the Scottish Widows Europe deal. Despite ongoing market volatility, Murray emphasised the resilience of Chesnara’s business model, stating that “there’s nothing that worries us, particularly from a sort of macro perspective,” thanks to a prudent asset mix and surplus capital. Investors are encouraged to monitor operating capital generation, solvency strength, and growth in own funds as key indicators of performance, alongside continued M&A activity. For more insights like this, visit Proactive’s YouTube channel, like the video, subscribe, and enable notifications so you never miss an update. #Chesnara #SteveMurray #InsuranceSector #MergersAndAcquisitions #MNA #Investing #UKStocks #FinancialServices #DividendStocks #Solvency #CapitalMarkets #GrowthStrategy #HSBCLife #ScottishWidows #MarketOutlook

Chesnara (LON:CSN) used its full-year 2025 results presentation to highlight a year of strong operating performance alongside what management described as a “major period of strategic transformation,” including the completion of its largest-ever acquisition and continued growth in dividends. Strate

Chesnara (LSE:CSN) has had a busy few months — completing its HSBC Life acquisition and buying Scottish Widows Europe, backed by a £290 million capital raise. Full-year 2025 profits jumped 42% and the solvency ratio hit 257%, with the CEO saying there's more deal flow to come. Itaconix (AIM:ITX, OTCQB:ITXXF, FRA:18G0) has hit revenues of $10.5 million for the first time, up 61%, and is now forecasting its first positive EBITDA this year. The plant-based polymer company is winning business across North American detergent brands and opening up new ecommerce channels. Foresight Solar Fund Ltd (LSE:FSFL, FRA:1F5) is holding its dividend at 8.10p — that's a 13.4% yield at current prices, which tells you how wide the discount is. The fund generated over a thousand gigawatt hours last year and brought its first battery storage project online. Zephyr Energy (AIM:ZPHR, OTCQB:ZPHRF, FRA:VD5N) saw non-operated production jump to 983 barrels a day in Q4, driven by last year's acquisition. Asset sales have also brought in cash to recycle into its flagship Paradox project in Utah. RC Fornax (AIM:RCFX) says demand for its defence consultancy work is rising as the military looks to do more with existing budgets. Progress since IPO has been slower than expected, but the CEO says new hires and better sales processes are already showing results. Rome Resources (AIM:RMR, FRA:33R) has hit its widest tin intercept yet at its Kalayi prospect in the DRC — 20 metres at 1% tin. The team is drilling deeper to test whether it gets better, and a resource estimate update is on the way. Follow us and subscribe on YouTube, our social channels, and on proactiveinvestors.co.uk.

Chesnara PLC (LSE:CSN) is buying Scottish Widows Europe for €110 million, targeting €250 million in lifetime cash. CEO Steve Murray says around €100 million should come in the first five years, supporting dividends. Seeing Machines Ltd (AIM:SEE, OTC:SEEMF, FRA:M2Z) says automotive royalties are accelerating ahead of new EU safety rules. Management expects positive adjusted EBITDA in the third quarter, with no need to raise fresh capital. Seraphim Space Investment Trust PLC (LSE:SSIT) has seen a strong portfolio revaluation driven by defence contracts. CEO Mark Boggett says major funding rounds and government demand are pushing valuations higher. Valereum PLC (AQSE:VLRM, FRA:6TJ) has partnered with Integra to scale tokenised real estate markets. The focus is on issuing and trading fractional property assets on blockchain infrastructure. Connecting Excellence Group Plc (AQSE:XCE, OTCQB:XCELF) has begun trading in the US on the OTCQB. CEO Scott Ellam says the recruitment business generates cash while building a long-term Bitcoin treasury. Follow us and subscribe on YouTube, our social channels and on proactiveinvestors.co.uk.

Lloyds Banking Group (LSE:LLOY) has agreed to sell Scottish Widows Europe to Chesnara PLC. The deal marks Lloyds' exit from this closed life insurance business and Chesnara's entry into the Luxembourg market. Lloyds Banking Group, best known for its UK retail and commercial banking focus, has been refining its mix of businesses over several years. The sale of Scottish Widows Europe fits with that direction, concentrating the group more tightly on core activities while a specialist life...

The UK-listed life and pensions consolidator will fund the transaction using its existing cash resources.

Chesnara (LON:CSN) executives outlined the strategic rationale and financial profile of the company’s proposed acquisition of Scottish Widows Europe from Lloyds Banking Group during an investor presentation and Q&A session led by Group CEO Steve Murray and Group CFO Tom Howard. Deal highlights

Chesnara PLC (LSE:CSN) CEO Steve Murray talked with Proactive's Stephen Gunnion about the company’s €110 million acquisition of Scottish Widows Europe and why the deal is expected to generate approximately €250 million in lifetime cash. Murray explained that lifetime cash generation remains a core attraction in Chesnara’s acquisition strategy. Of the €250 million expected from the transaction, around €100 million is forecast within the first five years, supporting early capital return alongside long-term cash flow sustainability. He noted that the deal marks Chesnara’s 16th acquisition in around 20 years, with roughly half completed in the last four to five years, highlighting an acceleration in M&A activity. The acquisition also represents Chesnara’s first entry into Luxembourg, bringing with it a local administrative platform that could support further consolidation opportunities both within Luxembourg and across Europe. Murray pointed to the broader M&A pipeline, stating: “We continue to see a really big opportunity for the group,” citing a more active market and increased strategic focus from large financial institutions. Chesnara now manages 1.4 million policies and administers around £18 billion in assets. Murray emphasised the company’s dividend track record, describing it as “the best dividend growth track record in UK and European insurance,” with a planned 6% increase for full-year 2025. For more insights from company leaders, visit Proactive's YouTube channel, give this video a like, subscribe to the channel and enable notifications so you never miss future updates. #Chesnara #SteveMurray #InsuranceSector #EuropeanInsurance #MergersAndAcquisitions #LuxembourgFinance #DividendGrowth #CashGeneration #InstitutionalInvesting #UKStocks #InsuranceConsolidation #HSBCLife #ScottishWidows #FinancialServices #InvestmentNews

Chesnara PLC (LSE:CSN) is buying Scottish Widows Europe from Lloyds Banking Group for €110 million in cash. The deal adds €1.7 billion of assets and is expected to generate €250 million of lifetime cash. Empire Metals Ltd (AIM:EEE, OTCQB:EPMLF) has launched its biggest drilling campaign yet at the Pitfield project in Western Australia. More than 750 holes are planned as it looks to upgrade and expand its titanium resource. Tertiary Minerals PLC (AIM:TYM, OTC:TTIRF, FRA:TMU) highlighted momentum in Zambia in its full-year results statement, following a new copper-silver discovery at Mushima North. Drilling is set to resume in the second quarter, with a JORC Exploration Target due soon. Applied Nutrition PLC (LSE:APN) expects full-year results ahead of forecasts after strong January trading. First-half revenue jumped 57% to £74.5 million, with full-year guidance lifted to around £140 million. Pan African Resources PLC (LSE:PAF, OTCQX:PAFRY, JSE:PAN) will hold a new general meeting in London on 26 March. That follows a court ruling that notice of its previous capital reduction vote was not properly given. Follow us and subscribe on YouTube, our social channels and on proactiveinvestors.co.uk.