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Abu Dhabi-based investment platform Diafa has officially acquired a majority stake in Caprice Holdings, the hospitality portfolio of businessman Richard Caring, in a £1.4bn deal.
The transaction includes the Ivy Brasseries and the Caprice Holdings portfolio, which features restaurants Scott’s, Sexy Fish, and Noema. The deal also encompasses the Birley Clubs private members’ group.
Caring will remain executive chairman of the group to oversee the next phase of international expansion. This includes the planned opening of Annabel’s in New York and further growth for the Ivy Brasseries in the UK.
Diafa is an affiliate of IHC Group and was established to build a global luxury food and beverage platform. Its existing holdings include the Azumi Group and the h.wood Group.
The investment group has appointed Ravi Thakran as group chief executive. Thakran previously served as group chairman of LVMH Asia and founded the private equity firm L Capital Asia.
Thakran oversaw investments worth more than £3bn across 32 companies during his tenure at the private equity firm. He has also served on the boards of Harrods London and the Singapore Tourism Board.
The group stated that its strategy is anchored in partnering with visionary founders to scale brands internationally. It plans to explore new openings for the Ivy Brasseries in the United States and other global markets.
Thakran said: “This transaction marks the beginning of a new chapter in global luxury hospitality. We are curating a portfolio of the world’s most iconic and culturally defining brands, with the ambition to shape how the next generation experiences dining, social connection, and lifestyle.
“Together with Richard Caring, we are building a platform of enduring value and global influence.”
Caring added: “I am delighted to partner with the visionary Diafa team, and I am confident that we will bring our world-class brands to new markets and continue to elevate our vision for hospitality to exciting new heights.
“Diafa’s commitment to investing in exceptional luxury brands makes them the right partner, and I look forward to building something truly enduring together.”
