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Neyber bets big on its lending business  

LONDON-based lending startup Neyber has raised £25 million in recent months.

The Goldman Sachs-backed lending business has secured extra funding from current investors, including police savings fund Police Mutual, and family offices.


The company is also chasing another major equity growth phase that is expected to add millions more to its cash reserves.

It recorded losses of around £18m in 15 months ending March last year.

The firm was also forced to forgo around £1m in interest revenue following an operational fault, leading to compensation for some customers.

The loans granted to employees at its client companies helped them consolidate debts or access short-term loans, which are then repaid through salary deductions.

It also makes loans available through internal staff benefit systems.

Monica Kalia, one of the founders, of the business said her company spent heavily after it started its operations in 2013 to secure clients and others as the business was focussing on sustainability and profits.

Kalia was quoted by The Sunday Telegraph: “Through the 2018 financial year, we were in an investment period establishing the business.”

The Indian-origin businesswoman noted that her firm gave businesses a way to help improve the financial position of staff.

Kalia added: “Employers have increasingly been looking at issues such as financial stress, but other than credit unions, there was no employer-based lending model. There is an opportunity to provide fair financial products through the employer channel, and the importance of financial well being is becoming more entrenched in UK corporates.”

The firm was founded by former Goldman Sachs top executives Martin Ijaha, Kalia, and Ezechi Britton of Credit Suisse.

The startup inked deal with 400 clients, including Asda, Co-op, Bupa, Harrods, and others, lending around £175m to their staff members.

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Pub hotel group beat luxury chains in UK guest satisfaction survey

Highlights

  • Coaching Inn Group scores 81 per cent customer satisfaction, beating Marriott and Hilton.
  • Wetherspoon Hotels named best value at £70 per night.
  • Britannia Hotels ranks bottom for 12th consecutive year with 44 per cent score.
A traditional pub hotel group has outperformed luxury international chains in the UK's largest guest satisfaction survey, while one major operator continues its decade-long streak at the bottom of the rankings.
The Coaching Inn Group, comprising 36 relaxed inn-style hotels in historic buildings across beauty spots and market towns, achieved the highest customer score of 81per cent among large chains in Which?'s annual hotel survey. The group earned five stars for customer service and accuracy of descriptions, with guests praising its "lovely locations and excellent food and service.
"The survey, conducted amongst 4,631 guests, asked respondents to rate their stays across eight categories including cleanliness, customer service, breakfast quality, bed comfort and value for money. At an average £128 per night, Coaching Inn demonstrated that mid-range pricing with consistent quality appeals to British travellers.
J D Wetherspoon Hotels claimed both the Which? Recommended Provider status (WRPs) and Great Value badge for the first time, offering rooms at just £70 per night while maintaining four-star ratings across most categories. Guests described their stays as "clean, comfortable and good value.
"Among boutique chains, Hotel Indigo scored 79 per cent with its neighbourhood-inspired design, while InterContinental achieved 80per cent despite charging over £300 per night, and the chain missed WRP status for this reason.

Budget brands decline

However, Premier Inn, long considered Britain's reliable budget choice, lost its recommended status this year. Despite maintaining comfortable beds, guests reported "standards were slipping" and prices "no longer budget levels" at an average £94 per night.

The survey's biggest disappointment remains Britannia Hotels, scoring just 44 per cent and one star for bedroom and bathroom quality. This marks twelve consecutive years at the bottom, with guests at properties like Folkestone's Grand Burstin calling it a total dive.

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