View this email in your browser Business Today Friday, 28 August, 2026 Editor's Note Good morning, reader The long-standing chairman of Irish Continental Group, John McGuckian faces a potential campaign by dissident shareholders seeking his removal if the ferries operator fails to secure approval at an extraordinary general meeting (egm) for a €1.2 billion management buyout deal, writes Joe Brennan. Valeo Foods has agreed a deal to sell its Irish business, which makes the Jacob’s Biscuits and Odlums brands, to a consortium led by food sector investor Hilliard Lombard, who was managing director of the group for several year up to 2019. Killian Woods has the details. Killian also reports that AIB and Bank of Ireland have each invested €35 million into US investor Avenue Capital’s residential fund, just as Avenue confirmed an investment of up to €100 million by its fund in a joint venture with Joe O’Reilly’s development firm Catlethorn. Continue Reading Dominic Coyle   TOP BUSINESS STORIES Business AIB and Bank of Ireland invest €70m in Avenue Capital fund backing big land deals Business Irish consumer sentiment lifts despite uncertain outlook Business Mortgage switching activity surges as homeowners look to lock in interest rates Business Valeo Foods agrees sale of Irish division behind Jacob’s and Odlums brands to investor consortium Business ICG’s long-standing chairman faces potential revolt if takeover deal rejected Eoin Burke-Kennedy Is Donald Trump stoking another 2008-style debt crisis? MORE BUSINESS STORIES Business Data centre boom turns many niche specialist businesses into multimillion-euro industry players Business Ronan Group shuffles leadership as Rory Williams steps down Business Desmond-backed Datalex weighs capital raise after returning to positive earnings Business Residents stall plan for hotel on Baggot Street Upper Do you have questions about becoming an Irish Times subscriber, or about your subscription? You'll find handy guides in our FAQs, and you can manage many aspects of your subscription in the My Account section. Never miss a business story Subscribe now for just €1 for your first month SUBSCRIBE