Richard Caring sells 25% of empire for £200m


Richard Caring has sold 25% of his £800m restaurant and club empire to the former prime minister of Qatar, Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, for £200m, according to the Daily Mail.

The buyer, also known as HBJ, will have the option to buy a further 25% of the group, depending on its performance.

Caring owns the original Ivy restaurant and J Sheekey, in Covent Garden, through Caprice Holdings, and the Ivy Collection chain through Troia.

He also owns Annabel’s via Mark Birley Holdings, which includes George, Harry’s Bar and Mark’s Club in London.

Last year, Caring spent around £65m moving Annabel's (pictured), which was opened in 1963 by Mark Birley, to a an extravagantly refitted Grade I-listed townhouse two doors down on Berkeley Square, where diners can now choose from four restaurants.