RealVantage Secures Majority Stake in £14M Acquisition of Manchester’s Grade II-Listed Heathcote Hotel with Oberland

Global real estate investment platform RealVantage (‘RealVantage’, ‘the Company’) – which operates as RV SG Pte. Ltd., a private limited company regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and holds a Capital Markets Services license – is pleased to announce that the Company has completed an off-market acquisition of Grade II-listed heritage hospitality asset The Heathcote Hotel (formerly ABode Manchester) in a 2nd collaboration with London-based real estate investor and asset manager Oberland. The transaction represents a total capitalization of GBP 14 million; which effectively translates to a new capital stack alignment with RealVantage taking up a majority 85 per cent equity interest with 15 per cent held by Oberland.

“A core pillar of this opportunity is significant sponsor capital commitment by Oberland and co-investment together with RealVantage; demonstrating a shared investment philosophy centered on value-add strategies, disciplined asset management, and long-term capital growth,” according to RealVantage co-founder and chief executive officer Keith Ong. “With a soft launch targeted for October 2026, active asset management will commence thereafter. RealVantage will then undertake investment monitoring and oversight responsibilities; with a focused 12 to 18 month asset management period aimed at optimising operating performance and value realisation.”

The Heathcote Hotel investment opportunity is projected to deliver to RealVantage’s platform investors a targeted 16 per cent net internal rate of return over an expected investment period of 36 months. Located in prime central Manchester, Greater Manchester, England, the United Kingdom, The Heathcote Hotel transaction further exemplifies RealVantage’s strong track record and ability in sourcing differentiated off-market opportunities, originate structure aligned partnerships, execute disciplined, value-accretive repositioning and institutional-grade asset management strategies in gateway markets; and deploy capital alongside experienced local partners.

With Oberland committing meaningful capital alongside RealVantage and its pool of private wealth investors and platform members, the structure demonstrates clear alignment of interests, downside discipline, and long-term value orientation. The new ownership structure reflects a conservative underwriting approach; prioritising capital preservation while targeting attractive risk-adjusted returns. The investment is underwritten via RealVantage’s disciplined risk framework; targeting downside protection through prudent capital structuring and value creation while positioning The Heathcote Hotel for medium-term income growth and potential yield compression in Manchester – a global gateway city.

History

Built in 1899 by influential Mancunian architect Charles Henry Heathcote, The Heathcote Hotel is a Jacobian-Baroque styled red brick and sandstone structure with tall arched windows, and ornate stonework. Resplendent of Manchester’s industrialization during the 1800s, The Heathcote Hotel was originally designed and built as a packing warehouse and showroom with offices for cotton manufacturer Sparrow Hardwick & Company.

Asset overview

The Heathcote Hotel, formerly Abode Manchester and a freehold Grade II-listed heritage hospitality asset, is located at 107 Piccadilly, Manchester, Greater Manchester, England, the United Kingdom. Upon completion, The Heathcote Hotel will increase its room count from 61 to 78 keys. The Heathcote Hotel’s net floor area is approximately 50,000 square feet.

Project timeline

The Heathcote Hotel is expected to shutter operations in April 2026 and begin a targeted six-month refurbishment program that includes public areas, bar and restaurant, and guest rooms. “The Heathcote Hotel will undergo a comprehensive revamp aimed at enhancing asset value, upgrading guest experience, and strengthening its competitive positioning within the local hospitality market,” states Keith. “RealVantage’s heritage-centric value creation and repositioning strategy for The Heathcote Hotel combines thoughtful preservation of historical architectural elements paired with modern amenities and facilities in order to capture premium demand from leisure and business travelers.”

Appointed hotel operator

Hotel and serviced apartment investment specialist and manager C1 Capital is the appointed hotel operator when The Heathcote Hotel reopens. C1 Capital currently manages seven hotels throughout the UK comprising 1,300 bedrooms with a capital value of over GBP 500 million and an annual turnover in excess of GBP 80 million.

India’s First D+ SUV Promises Hassle-Free Ownership with 5-5-5 Programme

• India’s First D+ SUV now backed by 5-Year Unlimited KM Warranty, Free 5-Year Roadside Assistance for Unlimited Km and 5 Labour-Free Services
• Innovative 5-5-5 ownership programme delivers complete peace of mind to MAJESTOR customers
• First 3000 pre-reserve customers can avail the benefits of this unique programme by booking the MAJESTOR at a Pre-reserve price of INR 41000/-

JSW MG Motor India reassured customers with long-term ownership assurance through its unique 5-5-5 ownership programme for the MG MAJESTOR- India’s First D+ SUV. In a segment where customers invest significantly in performance, size and advanced technology, the 5-5-5 programme has been designed to deliver hassle free ownership experience, long-term cost predictability, by addressing running costs and nationwide support from the outset.

Unlike standalone warranty extensions or optional service packages, the 5-5-5 proposition brings together a 5-Year Unlimited Kilometres Warranty, Free 5-Year Roadside Assistance for Unlimited KM, and 5 Labour-Free Services as a unified, standard offering for the MAJESTOR customers. For customers, this means no kilometre cap on warranty coverage, five full years of nationwide breakdown support, and reduced service expenditure during the most intensive early years of ownership. For high-mileage users, long-distance travellers and off- road enthusiasts, this translates into measurable financial predictability and complete peace-of-mind.

Commenting on the initiative, Vinay Raina, Chief Commercial Officer, JSW MG Motor India, said, “The MG MAJESTOR has been created as an SUV that is rugged in its capability, refined in its comfort, and dependable in its engineering. For us, delivering a strong product was only one part of the commitment and ensuring complete peace-of-mind in ownership was equally important. With the 5-5-5 programme, we have built structured, long-term assurance into the proposition from day one. This reflects our customer-first philosophy and our confidence in the MAJESTOR as a true full-size SUV engineered for Indian conditions and usage patterns.”

Powered by a 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel engine delivering best-in-segment 215.5 PS and 478.5 Nm of torque, mated to a best-in-class 8-speed automatic transmission in both 2WD and advanced 4WD configurations, the MG MAJESTOR is engineered for serious capability. It comes with First-in-segment Triple Differential Locks (front, rear and centre), an Advanced 4WD system with 10 off-road modes, and Crawl Control Mode for extreme terrain mastery, along with 219 mm ground clearance and an 810 mm water wading capability. As India’s First D+ SUV with Level 2 ADAS, the MAJESTOR also combines rugged performance with advanced safety and intelligent technology. The 5-5-5 Complete Peace of Mind programme complements this engineering strength, ensuring that customers can confidently experience the vehicle’s full capability with long-term ownership assurance built in.

Pre-reservations for the MG MAJESTOR are open at INR 41,000 on www.mgmotor.co.in. With showroom display and test drives commencing in April 2026 and deliveries beginning in May 2026, customers now have the opportunity to secure early access to India’s First D+ SUV along with the benefits of the 5-5-5 Complete Peace of Mind programme.

India’s ideaForge Takes Flight: First to Train NATO Forces at U.S. NTPS

In a landmark moment for India’s indigenous defence technology ecosystem, ideaForge Technology Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of ideaForge Technology Limited), a leading global drone technology company, has commenced a specialised UAV flight-test training programme for NATO military personnel at the prestigious National Test Pilot School (NTPS), United States. Marking the first such initiative by an Indian UAV player, ideaForge will deploy its NATO-certified SWITCH UAV platform as part of a specialised hands-on drone flight-testing programme. The selection of an Indian organisation by NTPS reflects the country's global recognition in advanced defence technologies and acceptance for homegrown UAV platforms in tactical use cases worldwide.

The week-long exercise, commencing on March 9, will equip NATO’s military personnel from across four continents through an immersive exercise. The key participants include the Royal Canadian Air Force, Israeli Air Force, Indian Navy, German Defence Forces (Bundeswehr), Australian Air Force, Italian Air Force, Sweden, and the United States Air Force. The programme will enhance monitoring, analysis, and tactical capabilities in mission planning and execution. Participants will undergo structured modules that will cover flight-test planning, operational deployment, telemetry monitoring, payload operations, mission evaluation, and post-flight data analysis. The exercises are designed to replicate real operational scenarios, enabling trainees to assess UAV performance across critical missions while gaining end-to-end exposure to integrated aerial systems used in diverse defence operations.

Sharing views on the training programme Mr. Ankit Mehta, CEO and Co-Founder, ideaForge Technology Ltd, said, “With the changing global order and geopolitical landscape, it is important for forces to stay updated and relevant in electronic warfare and continue upgrading and strengthening their capabilities. Training NATO military forces on an Indian-developed platform demonstrates that deep-tech innovation from India can contribute meaningfully to global defence preparedness. Also, our growing international engagements, including the strengthening partnership with First Breach for the JV, First Forge, and the emerging opportunities to work with law enforcement agencies in the United States, further reinforce the global relevance of our platforms. These developments reflect increasing confidence in Indian UAV technology and signal the expanding role of ideaForge in supporting mission-critical operations across defence and homeland security globally.”

SWITCH is known for delivering high operational performance across intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and tactical missions. The platform is engineered to function reliably across varied terrains and extreme climatic conditions. Its lightweight hybrid design enables long-range, high-altitude, last-mile surveillance and security operations with enhanced precision.

Commenting on the collaboration, Mr. Luca Campello, President, National Test Pilot School, said: “NTPS partnered with ideaForge UAV to provide hands-on UAV flight-test training. The platform allows students to practice real flight-test planning, execution, telemetry monitoring, and data analysis in a safe and cost-effective environment. NTPS has confidence in the platform due its operational pedigree, which integrates air vehicle, sensors, datalink, and ground control station. Students are exposed to the complete systems test process, from test card development, test execution, data analysis and test reporting. NTPS greatly appreciates the professionalism and support of the ideaForge team, whose partnership helps make the training both realistic and highly effective.”

While the current programme focuses on training and testing, the collaboration opens pathways for deeper engagement between ideaForge and international defence stakeholders. Being first of its kind, this initiative creates opportunities for long-term institutional partnerships and future platform adoption.

About ideaForge Technology Limited

ideaForge is a pioneer and the pre-eminent market leader in the Indian unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) industry. With a mission-first approach, we deliver cutting-edge drones engineered for unmatched performance, autonomy, and reliability, redefining possibilities in security, mapping, surveillance, and disaster response applications across militaries and enterprises.

With India’s largest operational deployment of indigenous UAVs, an ideaForge drone takes off every 3 minutes, enabling over 8,50,000 successful flights. Ranked 3rd globally among the world’s Top Dual-Use Drone Manufacturers by Drone Industry Insights (DRONEII) Global Drone Review 2024, ideaForge continues to set benchmarks in innovation and excellence.

Since pioneering India’s first VTOL UAVs in 2009, we have expanded with advanced R&D and manufacturing hubs in Navi Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, and the USA, driving the development of indigenously designed and built solutions. Backed by marquee investors, including Qualcomm, Infosys, Celesta Capital, Florintree, EXIM Bank, and Infina Finance, ideaForge is at the forefront of revolutionising unmanned systems.

Discover more: www.ideaforgetech.com

Honeywell and IIT Bombay Establish CoE to Advance Sustainability Skills and Innovation in India

• Partnership to skill over 100,000 students in sustainability fields by 2030 through industry–academia collaboration

Honeywell (NASDAQ:HON) today announced an agreement with the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) to establish a new Centre of Excellence at the Institute’s Powai campus that will help skill more than 100,000 students by 2030 in sustainability-related fields.

The IIT Bombay - Honeywell Centre of Excellence for Future Skills & Innovation (IITB-Honeywell CoE) will be created and fully funded by Honeywell Hometown Solutions India Foundation (HHSIF) – Honeywell’s philanthropic arm in India. The IITB-Honeywell CoE will offer advanced laboratory infrastructure, equipment procurement, curriculum design and research and innovation grants.

In its pilot phase over the next two months, the IITB-Honeywell CoE will focus on establishing core infrastructure, developing a specialized curriculum and training a first phase of 250 students. The IITB-Honeywell CoE will offer certificate-based programs featuring coursework and hands-on projects aligned with real-world sustainability challenges. It will benefit undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students from across the country. Following the pilot phase, subsequent phases are expected to engage nearly 20,000 students per year during the partnership, through the IITB-Honeywell CoE’s structured curriculum.

As India digitally transforms its economy and critical sectors such as energy, it faces a growing shortage of sustainability professionals with cross-disciplinary, technology-driven skills. According to the Economic Survey 2023-24[i], India aims to create 3.4 million jobs in the green sector by 2030. The renewable energy industry alone faces a deficit of 1.2 million skilled workers, a number that could swell to 1.7 million by 2027, according to TeamLease[ii]. The IITB-Honeywell CoE will address the growing demand for skilled sustainability professionals by combining classroom learning with applied research across five learning tracks: Sustainability Reporting, Sustainable Finance, Energy Security, Sustainability Infrastructure and Policy Advocacy.

“Skilling our workforce is central to building a future-ready and sustainable India. Our collaboration with IIT Bombay reinforces Honeywell’s commitment to developing high-quality talent across sustainability fields, as India accelerates growth through its AI-powered digital economy,” said Ashish Modi, President, India and Asia Pacific, Honeywell. “Honeywell’s new CoE aligns with this digital transformation and will equip students with the right industrial skills to support long-term economic growth with sustainability at the core.”

The IITB-Honeywell CoE’s course structure, applicable through 2030, requires each student to complete 40 hours of training across the five learning tracks. Classroom programming and applied research will be jointly delivered by the IIT Bombay faculty and industry specialists and supported by Honeywell employees through volunteer mentorship, technical guidance and career-readiness training.

“IIT Bombay has always emphasized translating academic excellence into societal impact,” said Prof. Shireesh B. Kedare, Director, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay. “The establishment of our Centre of Excellence with Honeywell strengthens that mission by giving students experiential learning beyond the classroom, enabling them to engage meaningfully with real-world sustainability challenges that are critical to India’s future.”

The partnership with IIT Bombay is a defining milestone under Honeywell India’s flagship ‘Saksham’ skilling initiative. Under Saksham, STEM students nationwide are trained in AI, cybersecurity and sustainability, while the IIT Bombay collaboration will focus specifically on sustainability-skilling through the IITB-Honeywell CoE.

Uber App Adds Intercity Bus Booking with AbhiBus’s 6 Lakh+ Routes

From Left to Right: Rohit Sharma, COO, AbhiBus; Lenin Koduru, CEO, AbhiBus; Praveen Neppalli Naga, Chief Technology Officer, Uber; Manikandan Thangarathnam, Senior Director (Mobility & Platforms), Uber India

AbhiBus (ixigo’s bus business), one of India’s leading online bus ticketing platforms, has partnered with Uber to power intercity bus ticket bookings within the Uber app.

Uber users across India can now book intercity bus tickets directly within the app, leveraging AbhiBus’s robust inventory and booking technology. Through this partnership, users gain access to AbhiBus’s extensive network of over 6 lakh routes operated by over 6,200 bus operators nationwide.

To book, users can navigate to the Home or Services section on the Uber app and select the “Intercity” option. After entering their origin, destination and travel date, they can browse available bus services, choose preferred seats and complete their booking smoothly within the app using integrated payment options.

Powered by AbhiBus’s end-to-end booking technology and deep operator integrations, Uber users can discover and compare bus options, check real-time seat availability and select preferred seats directly within the app. They can also filter by bus types such as AC, Sleeper, Seater, Volvo and Scania, view 360° bus photos on select routes, track live bus status, opt for Abhi Assured with defined compensation benefits in case of service disruptions, and access 24×7 customer support. The partnership expands Uber’s mobility ecosystem beyond intra-city rides by integrating bus travel into a single app, enabling users to plan both short-distance and intercity journeys seamlessly.

Speaking on this, Rohit Sharma, COO, AbhiBus, said, "This partnership with Uber represents a significant milestone for intercity travel in India. By integrating AbhiBus's deep operator network and booking technology into the Uber app, we are bringing over 6 lakh routes directly to millions of users - making bus travel discovery as seamless as booking a cab. With Uber's reach and AbhiBus's deep expertise in powering seamless bus travel experiences, we are setting a new benchmark for how India books its intercity journeys."

Praveen Neppalli Naga, Chief Technology Officer, Uber, added, “We are excited to partner with AbhiBus and bring intercity bus travel into the Uber app. At Uber, our mission is to make movement seamless for everyone and integrating AbhiBus's extensive bus network directly into our platform is a natural extension of that vision. AbhiBus brings unmatched depth in bus inventory and operator integrations, and together we are unlocking a new dimension of mobility for millions of Indians.”

With this partnership, AbhiBus further strengthens its footprint in powering intercity bus travel across diverse platforms, making seamless and reliable bus booking more accessible to millions of travellers.

About AbhiBus

AbhiBus is a leading online bus-ticketing platform that aggregates ticket inventory from over 6,200 bus operators - including major State Road Transport Corporations (SRTCs), covering more than 6.5 lakh (650,000+) routes across India. The AbhiBus website and apps allow users to check amenities provided by bus operators, compare booking fares, check bus timings in the searched route, live tracking of the bus before arrival, cancellation protection options and other facilities. It is the official ticketing partner for several state road transport corporation bus tickets and IRCTC bus bookings.

AbhiBus is owned and operated by ixigo (Le Travenues Technology Limited), India’s leading OTA for the Next Billion Users. With over 54 crore Annual Active Users in FY25, ixigo offers AI-powered train, flight, bus, and hotel bookings through its platforms - ixigo, ConfirmTkt, and AbhiBus.