Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
DIAFA, an Abu Dhabi-based luxury and hospitality investment platform and an IHC Group affiliate, has completed a majority investment in the hospitality portfolio of industry figure Richard Caring in a ten-figure transaction, according to a statement.
The deal includes The Ivy Brasseries, the luxury restaurant portfolio of Caprice Holdings—featuring Scott’s, Sexy Fish and Noema—as well as The Birley Clubs, which include Annabel’s, George, Harry’s Bar, and Mark’s Club.
Richard Caring will remain Executive Chairman, with DIAFA and Caring set to lead the next phase of global expansion. This includes the planned opening of Annabel’s in New York, alongside continued international growth of Scott’s, Sexy Fish and Noema. The Ivy Brasseries are also expected to expand further across the UK in 2026 and explore opportunities in the United States and other markets.
The investment from the IHC affiliate is worth more than £1 billion ($1.3 billion), Bloomberg said quoting a person familiar with the matter.
DIAFA said the acquisition forms a cornerstone of its strategy to build a global luxury food and beverage platform, bringing together leading hospitality brands under a scalable international structure.
To lead this vision, DIAFA has appointed Ravi Thakran as Group CEO. A seasoned leader in the global luxury sector, Thakran previously served as Group Chairman of LVMH Asia and founded L Capital Asia, the private equity arm backed by LVMH and Groupe Arnault, where he oversaw more than $4 billion in investments across 32 companies. With over three decades of experience in the global luxury industry, he brings expertise in building and scaling enduring brands to shape DIAFA’s food and beverage portfolio on a global stage.
Ravi 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."
Richard Caring, Founder and Executive Chairman of Caprice Holdings, 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."
DIAFA was established to build a global luxury lifestyle and hospitality platform, with a focus on premium dining, private members’ clubs and social destinations, responding to a shift in consumer preferences towards experiential offerings. Its existing portfolio includes global hospitality brands such as Azumi Group and The h.wood Group, and now expands further with the addition of Caprice Holdings and The Birley Clubs.
