Tag: MENA

LONDON, Oct. 10, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — There are currently 28,420 centi-millionaires in the world, more than double the number 20 years ago, and an increase of 12% compared to this time last year, according to the 2023 Centi-Millionaire Report released today by wealth and investment migration advisors Henley & Partners and featuring exclusive data from global wealth intelligence firm New World Wealth. This fast-growing global elite of highly influential super-wealthy movers and shakers boast investable assets of USD 100 million or more.

As outlined in the inaugural report last year, at a country level, most centi-millionaires (or ‘centis’) are concentrated in the USA (38%), followed by the large emerging markets of China and India. One third of the world’s centi-millionaire community live in 50 key cities across the globe, with New York City wearing the crown with 775 resident centi-millionaires.

Dr. Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners, says the USD 100 million plus band represents the best definition in today’s world of what it means to be ‘super-wealthy’. “Not long ago, in the late 1990s, USD 30 million was considered by most banks as the fortune that was needed to meet this status. However, asset prices have risen significantly since then, making USD 100 million the new benchmark.”

Top centi cities

Hot on the heels of NYC in first place comes the Bay Area with 692 resident centi-millionaires, followed by Los Angeles with 504 centis. This super-rich cohort has grown by just over 5% in the Big Apple over the past 12 months, compared to 11% in the Bay Area. Chicago also makes it into the Top 10, securing 9^th place with 286 centi-millionaires, but this is a significant drop of nearly 16% compared to last year.

Overall, the USA has 12 cities in the Top 50, with a combined total of 3,311 centis, representing 11.7% of the world’s centi-millionaire population as of June 2023.

By contrast, the UK has only one city in the Top 50, London, which comes in 4^th place with 388 centi-millionaires, representing 1.4% of the world’s centi population. Once the global center of affluence and influence, London appears to have taken a dip. A year ago, there were 406 centis in the UK’s capital city — a loss of 4.4% in just 12 months.

There is impressive representation from Asia in the upper rankings, with four Asian cities and territories among the world’s Top 10 centi-millionaire hotspots. Mainland China has two Top 10 cities: Beijing is 5^th with 365 centi-millionaires and Shanghai is 6^th with 332. Singapore follows in 7^th place with 330 centis while Hong Kong (SAR China), in 8^th place, is home to 305 centi-millionaires. Paris and Ile-de-France come in 10^th place, boasting 280 resident centi-millionaires between them.

Growth forecast to flourish in Global South

Of the Top 50 cities, the e-commerce hub of Hangzhou in China is expected to see the highest growth in its centi-millionaire population in the next decade with a projected 95% increase, closely followed by the prominent tech hub, Shenzhen (88%).

The emerging global business center of Riyadh in Saudi Arabia and India’s largest commercial hub Delhi are projected to see the 3^rd-highest growth of 85% each between now and 2033, while financial capital Mumbai is forecast to enjoy an 80% growth in its centi-millionaire community. Tech-friendly Austin in the USA also has a very strong growth projection of 84% by 2033.

Dubai, with its vibrant and diversified economy, is not far behind Mumbai, with centi-millionaire growth of 78% projected over the next 10 years, followed by China’s main transport and trading nexus Guangzhou (76%), and the world’s most expensive city, Monaco (72%).

The numbers in Australia also look poised to increase sharply — by 67% in Melbourne, 60% in Sydney, and 57% in Perth. By contrast, centi-millionaire growth figures are forecast to be a sluggish 17% in Los Angeles, 12% in London, 6% in Chicago, and just 5% in Moscow.

Read the full press release and report

Media Contact

Sarah Nicklin

Group Head of PR

sarah.nicklin@henleyglobal.com

Mobile: +27 72 464 8965

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 1000843048

LOS ANGELES and RÖDENTAL, Germany, Oct. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MGA Entertainment, Inc. (MGA), one of the world’s largest and fastest growing privately held toy and entertainment companies, announced today that it intends to merge with Zapf Creation AG, Europe’s leading manufacturer of nurturing dolls. Specifically, MGA’s wholly-owned German subsidiary, which is the current direct major shareholder of Zapf Creation AG, has approached Zapf with an invitation to enter into negotiations of a merger agreement. MGA and Zapf Creation AG have had a collaborative business relationship for the sales and distribution of both companies’ brands for nearly 20 years. The merger is expected to close in Spring 2024.

No further details are available at this time; however, the leadership of the companies will work closely to plan the merger and will make appropriate announcements as information becomes available.

About MGA, Entertainment, Inc.
MGA Entertainment is one of the largest and fastest growing privately held toy and entertainment companies in the world. Headquartered in Los Angeles with offices globally, the company creates innovative, proprietary, and licensed consumer products and entertainment properties, including toys, games, dolls, apparel, consumer electronics, home décor, stationery, sporting goods, movies, and television series. The MGA family includes award-winning brands such as L.O.L. Surprise!, Little Tikes®, Rainbow High, Bratz®, MGA’s Miniverse, Fluffie Stuffiez, Na! Na! Na! Surprise, Micro Games of America, BABY born®, and Zapf Creation®. For more information, please visit us at www.mgae.com or check us out at LinkedIn, Threads, Instagram and Facebook.

About Zapf Creation AG
Zapf Creation AG is Europe’s leading manufacturer of nurturing dolls and a global brand supplier of children’s toys. The company develops and sells premium play concepts, as well as play and functional dolls with extensive accessories that are famous all over the world. This also includes an increasing number of products from other toy categories. All Zapf Creation brands share the same high standards of quality, design, safety, and play value. For more information, please visit www.zapf-creation.com.

Media Contact:
Alan Hilowitz
Vice President, Global Corporate Communications
MGA Entertainment, Inc.
+1.818.221-4431
news@mgae.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8945614

Dover, DE, Oct. 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  / Pacific Green Technologies, Inc.  (“Pacific Green”), (OTCQB: PGTK) announces that Pacific Green Technologies (Australia) Pty Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pacific Green, has entered into an exclusivity agreement to secure strategic land sites in Portland, Victoria to develop 1.0 GW / 2.5 GWh of battery energy parks (the “Project”).

Following Pacific Green’s successful development and sale of its 99.98 MW / 99.98 MWh Richborough Energy Park in the United Kingdom for £74m (US$93m), this strategic entry into the Australian battery energy storage market is a significant expansion for Pacific Green’s Energy Parks division.

The Project will commence construction in 2024, with the energy park anticipated to be operational in 2026.

Joel Alexander, Pacific Green’s Managing Director, Australia, commented: “Since launching Pacific Green’s Australian office in Melbourne last year, we have initially focused on building an experienced management team to create our platform. By acquiring this site and project rights, we have now positioned Pacific Green to become one of the largest battery park developers in the Southern Hemisphere.”

Scott Poulter, Pacific Green’s CEO, added: “Building upon our successes with the sale of Pacific Green’s UK-based 99.98 MW / 99.98 MWh Richborough Energy Park and the continued development of 249 MW / 375 MWh Sheaf Energy Park, this milestone is a huge step in the continuing growth of Pacific Green Battery Energy Parks internationally.”

About Pacific Green Technologies, Inc.:

Pacific Green is focused on addressing the world’s need for cleaner and more sustainable energy. Pacific Green offers Battery Energy Storage Systems and Concentrated Solar Power to complement its environmental technologies division. Pacific Green has offices in the USA, United Kingdom, Australia, Saudi Arabia and China.

For more information, visit Pacific Green’s website:
www.pacificgreen.com

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release contains “forward-looking statements,” as that term is defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements in this news release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, the continued development of the Project, any potential business developments and future interest in Pacific Green’s battery, solar and environmental technologies.

Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the continuation of the development of the Project, general economic and political conditions, and the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and Pacific Green assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although Pacific Green believes that the beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this news release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in Pacific Green’s annual report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year, Pacific Green’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Scott Poulter, Chairman & CEO
Pacific Green Technologies, Inc.
T: +1 (302) 601-4659

Joel Alexander, Managing Director
Pacific Green Technologies (Australia) Pty Ltd.
T: +61 497 335 833

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8944939

Recognition comes alongside ecosystem partners and global technology leaders who support global insurance businesses

BOSTON, Oct. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Duck Creek Technologies, the intelligent solutions provider defining the future of property and casualty (P&C) and general insurance, today announces its recognition as a 2023 IDC FinTech Rankings Top 50 solution provider and a Top 100 Fast Track FinTech. This is the second year in a row Duck Creek has been named on the prestigious list with other global technology leaders, demonstrating its noticeable, continued growth and strong market traction.

The IDC FinTech Rankings select the global technology leaders based on prior calendar year revenue results. Those included in this year’s rankings are critical to the modernization and digital transformation of the financial services industry, and Duck Creek is proud to be named along with ecosystem partners, such as Accenture, Capgemini, Cognizant, CoreLogic, DocuSign, Eviden, Experian, EY, Hexaware, HCLTech, IBM, LTIMindtree, Microsoft, NTT DATA, Smart Communications, TransUnion and Wipro. Duck Creek achieved year-over-year growth by focusing on customer success and its partner ecosystem approach, affirming that it “takes a village” to support the most sophisticated insurers worldwide with market-leading technology solutions.

“The deep trust from our global customers and partners paired with our world-class technology and our award-winning culture has enabled Duck Creek to achieve historical growth while adapting to a dynamic macro climate and evolving insurance industry trends,” said Rohit Bedi, Chief Revenue Officer, Duck Creek Technologies. “Our inclusion on the 2023 IDC FinTech Rankings reinforces our passion for enabling the success of our customers and the differentiated value we bring to the insurance industry as a globally trusted modern P&C SaaS brand.”

“IDC has been producing the IDC FinTech Rankings for twenty years and has expanded the program to now include the top 150 solutions providers to ensure we get the most accurate representation of the largest FinTech’s in the world,” said Marc DeCastro, research director at IDC. “The technology companies on this list provide the innovation necessary to keep the financial services at the forefront of providing modern digital experiences across all aspects of a customer’s financial journey.”

About Duck Creek Technologies

Duck Creek Technologies is the intelligent solutions provider defining the future of the property and casualty (P&C) and general insurance industry. We are the platform upon which modern insurance systems are built, enabling the industry to capitalize on the power of the cloud to run agile, intelligent, and evergreen operations. Authenticity, purpose, and transparency are core to Duck Creek, and we believe insurance should be there for individuals and businesses when, where, and how they need it most. Our market-leading solutions are available on a standalone basis or as a full suite, and all are available via Duck Creek OnDemand. Visit www.duckcreek.com to learn more. Follow Duck Creek on our social channels for the latest information – LinkedIn and Twitter.

Media Contacts:
Carley Bunch
carley.bunch@duckcreek.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8944045

eXp Realty Spotlights Top Agents at EXPCON 2023

eXp Realty recognized 39 top agents and teams at the company’s annual EXPCON 2023.

BELLINGHAM, Wash., Oct. 04, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — eXp Realty^®, “the most agent-centric real estate brokerage on the planet” and the core subsidiary of eXp World Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXPI), recognized 39 top agents and teams at the company’s annual EXPCON 2023.

EXPCON 2023, being held Oct. 2-5 in Las Vegas, is the company’s exclusive gathering of the world’s top real estate professionals. This year’s event focused on innovation and leveraging artificial intelligence to drive business.

Glenn Sanford, Founder and CEO of eXp Realty, along with Michael Valdes, Chief Growth Officer, and Leo Pareja, Chief Strategy Officer, proudly acknowledged the outstanding production achievements and contributions of 39 eXp Realty agents and team in 2022. These exceptional agents were recognized across diverse categories, encompassing top individuals and teams based on sides, GCI and volume in the U.S., Canada and internationally.

“Success is not just about one person or one company; it’s about creating a community that empowers one another to reach their full potential,” said Sanford. “I am so proud to honor this exceptional group of agents for their outstanding work from last year. As the most agent-centric brokerage on the planet, we are laser-focused on supporting our agents. I speak for the entire eXp community when I thank and congratulate these individuals for their incredible achievements and contributions.”

The winners are:

• Top Individuals by Sides, U.S.
  • #1 – John Scalia, Florida
  • #2 – Charles “Chuck” Williamson, Wilson, North Carolina
  • #3 – Sheryl Houck, Florida
• Top Individuals By Sides, Canada
  • #1 – Mark Verzyl, Alberta
  • #2 – Shannon Runcie, Saskatchewan
  • #3 – Rachel Vanderveen, Alberta
• Top Individuals By Sides, International
  • #1 – Christopher Abraham – Great Britain, UK
  • #2 – Claire Bilton – Great Britain, UK
  • #3 – Mark Buchanan – Great Britain, UK
• Top Individuals by GCI, U.S.
  • #1 – John Scalia, Florida
  • #2 – Soomin Kim, Austin, Texas
  • #3 – Charles “Chuck” Williamson, Wilson, North Carolina
• Top Individuals by GCI, Canada
  • #1 –Rachel Vanderveen, Alberta
  • #2 – Zhe Geng, British Columbia
  • #3 – Mark Verzyl, Alberta
• Top Individuals by GCI, International
  • #1 – Leigh Martinuzzi, Australia
  • #2 – Christopher Abraham, Great Britain, UK
  • #3 – Bjorn Kunzel, Australia
• Top Individual by GCI, eXp Commercial
  • Yoshimi Asano, Texas
• Top Individuals by Volume, U.S.
  • #1 – John Scalia, Florida
  • #2 – Chandra Kaladhar Reddy Vennapusa, Bothell, Washington
  • #3 – Chad Hetherman, Huntersville, North Carolina
• Top Individuals by Volume, Canada
  • #1 –Rachel Vanderveen, Alberta
  • #2 – Zhe Geng, British Columbia
  • #3 – Mark Verzyl, Alberta
• Top Individuals by Volume, International
  • #1 – Christopher Abraham, Great Britain, UK
  • #2 – Thomas Howe, Great Britain, UK
  • #3 – Claire Bilton, Great Britain, UK
• Top Teams by Volume, U.S.
  • #1 – The Short Term Shop, 15 markets
  • #2 – #TEAMFAST, Bay Area, California
  • #3 – Beer Home Team, Southern California
• Top Teams by Volume, Canada
  • #1 –Affinity Real Estate, Ontario
  • #2 – The Jennifer Jones Team, Ontario
  • #3 – Infill Hub Group, Alberta
• Top Teams by Volume, International
  • #1 – Consultan, Portugal
  • #2 – One Sixteen Group, Puerto Rico
  • #3 – Nuno Venceslau – Luxury Real Estate, Portugal
• Top Teams by Sides, U.S.
  • #1 – The Short Term Shop, 15 markets
  • #2 – #TEAMFAST, Bay Area, California
  • #3 – Mark Z Home Selling Team, Metro Detroit, Michigan
• Top Teams by Sides, Canada
  • #1 – Atkinson Team, Alberta
  • #2 – Infill Hub Group, Alberta
  • #3 – Affinity Real Estate, Ontario
• Top Teams by Sides, International
  • #1 – James Conyers Team, South Africa
  • #2 – Consultan, Portugal
  • #3 – One Sixteen Group, Puerto Rico
• Top Teams by GCI, U.S.
  • #1 – The Short Term Shop, 15 markets
  • #2 – #TEAMFAST, Bay Area, California
  • #3 – Beer Home Team, Southern California
• Top Teams by GCI, Canada
  • #1 – Affinity Real Estate, Ontario
  • #2 – The Jennifer Jones Team, Ontario
  • #3 – Atkinson Team, Alberta
• Top Teams by GCI, International
  • #1 – One Sixteen Group, Puerto Rico
  • #2 – Team Arnaud Motreff Immobilier, France
  • #3 – Consultan, Portugal
• Rookies of the Year
  • eXp Realty: Chandra Kaladhar Reddy Vennapusa, Washington
  • International: Monica Rodriguez Garcia, Puerto Rico
  • eXp Canada: Jake Nicolle, Ancaster, Ontario
  • eXp Commercial: Sarah Cooley, North and South Carolina
• Mentor of the Year
  • Brett Bonner, Washington
• ICON of Year
  • Michael Weisman, Founder and Team Leader of the Real Property Team at eXp Realty in Portland, Maine
• Jeffrey Buettner Philanthropist Award
  • Luna Mariah Dietz, Oregon
• Humanitarian of the Year
  • Jon Pugh, California
• Woman of Influence
  • Veronica Figueroa, Florida

About eXp World Holdings, Inc.

eXp World Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXPI) is the holding company for eXp Realty^®, Virbela^® and SUCCESS^® Enterprises.

eXp Realty is the largest independent real estate company in the world with more than 89,000 agents in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, India, Mexico, Portugal, France, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Italy, Hong Kong, Colombia, Spain, Israel, Panama, Germany, Dominican Republic, Greece, New Zealand, Chile, Poland and Dubai and continues to scale internationally. As a publicly traded company, eXp World Holdings provides real estate professionals the unique opportunity to earn equity awards for production goals and contributions to overall company growth. eXp World Holdings and its businesses offer a full suite of brokerage and real estate tech solutions, including its innovative residential and commercial brokerage model, professional services, collaborative tools and personal development. The cloud-based brokerage is powered by Virbela, an immersive 3D platform that is deeply social and collaborative, enabling agents to be more connected and productive. SUCCESS^® Enterprises, anchored by SUCCESS^® magazine and its related media properties, was established in 1897 and is a leading personal and professional development brand and publication.

For more information, visit https://expworldholdings.com. 

Safe Harbor Statement

The statements contained herein may include statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements that are based on management’s current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and the company undertakes no obligation to revise or update them. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those expressed in forward-looking statements include changes in business or other market conditions; the difficulty of keeping expense growth at modest levels while increasing revenues; and other risks detailed from time to time in the company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including but not limited to the most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Media Relations Contact:

eXp World Holdings, Inc.

mediarelations@expworldholdings.com

Investor Relations Contact:

Denise Garcia

investors@expworldholdings.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bb1b7b78-971e-4dc0-8007-f238856d6193.

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8943275

Award-winning business development, operations leader to serve as Chief Learning Officer in this newly created role

BELLINGHAM, Wash., Oct. 03, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — eXp Realty^®, “the most agent-centric real estate brokerage on the planet” and the core subsidiary of eXp World Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXPI), today announced the appointment of Bryon Ellington as Chief Learning Officer, responsible for developing custom, agent-driven training and coaching.