Jeff Zucker say the regulatory environment in the UK ‘has to change’ - LUCAS JACKSON/REUTERS The boss of an Abu Dhabi-backed fund blocked from taking control of The Telegraph has attacked red tape in Britain after abandoning a bid for ITV’s production arm. Jeff Zucker, chief executive of RedBird IMI, said his fund was planning to invest in UK companies but had been deterred by overly stringent regulations. He said: “The regulatory environment here has to change if the UK is going to continue to thrive. ...

Core Viewpoint - The regulatory environment in the UK is hindering investment and economic growth, particularly in the media and financial sectors [1][2][3] Group 1: Investment Challenges - RedBird IMI's CEO, Jeff Zucker, highlighted that the UK's media and financial market regulations are deterring foreign investment [1][2] - The company previously attempted to acquire the Daily Telegraph but abandoned the deal due to government intervention against foreign ownership of newspapers [2] - The London stock market is experiencing a 30-year low in IPOs, making it less attractive for companies looking to grow and go public [3] Group 2: Regulatory Environment - Zucker emphasized the need for changes in the regulatory framework to foster growth and investment in the UK [2][4] - The UK's financial regulator announced plans in July to ease some regulatory rules to facilitate capital raising for companies [4] Group 3: Market Opportunities - Despite regulatory challenges, Zucker acknowledged the unmatched quality of British creativity and its global content appeal [5] - RedBird IMI is interested in expanding its portfolio, including potential acquisitions like ITV's Studios business, although no deal has been finalized [5] - There is an expectation of consolidation in the TV production industry over the long term [5]