OakNorth Banks on Regulatory Expertise with Appointment of Adair Turner as Chairman

Adair Turner, former head of the Financial Services Authority, has been appointed chairman of OakNorth, a UK business bank backed by SoftBank. With his experience during the global financial crisis, Turner is expected to contribute to OakNorth’s strategic growth plans and business product diversification. The move follows the departure of Cyrus Ardalan, the current chairman, who adheres to Britain’s Corporate Governance Code. OakNorth, founded in 2015, aims to leverage Turner’s insights for scaling and achieving ambitious sustainability goals, targeting net-zero emissions by 2035. Turner’s regulatory expertise signals OakNorth’s commitment to navigating evolving financial landscapes.
With Alibaba stake cut, SoftBank’s Son cools toward China tech

SoftBank Group Corp’s (9984.T) decision to sell down its Alibaba Group Holding (9988.HK), stake for a $34 billion gain may be aimed at bolstering its finances, but it also underlines how CEO Masayoshi Son has cooled on China tech.
Mexican used-car startup Kavak expands outside Latin America

Mexican used-car platform Kavak is investing $180 million to open offices and make its platform available in four new countries, including Turkey – its first location outside Latin America, the company said Wednesday.
SoftBank Vision Fund posts $26 bln loss; Son pledges defence

Japan’s SoftBank Group Corp (9984.T) reported a record $26.2 billion loss at its Vision Fund investment arm on Thursday, as rising interest rates and political instability whiplashed high-growth tech stocks.
Softbank Group shares slide 3% after Didi, Arm, Grab triple setback

Shares in Japanese conglomerate SoftBank Group Corp (9984.T) dropped over 3% on Friday after the giant tech investor was hit with three disappointments within 24 hours, including a poor Nasdaq debut for ride-hailing firm Grab (GRAB.O).
SoftBank’s PayPay surges ahead in Japan’s digital payments race

For six decades, shoppers at Mikawaya, a rice dealer in eastern Tokyo, paid in cash – until sales staff from payments app PayPay swept through the low-lying district, persuading the store to give their product a try.
EXCLUSIVE SoftBank tech fund in talks to invest in Dubai cloud kitchen Kitopi-sources

SoftBank Group Corp (9984.T) is in talks to invest in Dubai “cloud kitchen” Kitopi’s latest funding round through its second technology fund, sources familiar with the matter said.
SoftBank Vision Fund 2 leads $775 million investment in Perch

SoftBank Group Corp’s (9984.T) Vision Fund 2 has led a $775 million investment in Perch, a technology firm that buys and operates third-party brands that sell their products on Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O).
SoftBank CEO slams Olympics as Japan races to catch up on vaccinations

Japanese tycoon Masayoshi Son warned of significant dangers around holding the Olympics in Tokyo, where the government on Monday kicked off a mass vaccination drive to catch up with other countries and ensure a “safe and secure” Games.
SoftBank to lead nearly $1.2 billion investment in diagnostics firm Invitae

(Reuters) -Invitae Corp said on Monday a group of investors including SoftBank Group Corp will invest $1.15 billion in the U.S. genetic diagnostics company. It said the investment, to be used for its growth initiatives, will be in convertible senior notes, which will bear 1.5% interest per year. The company said the notes will have […]