WITH those unfortunate incidents of commercial and political controversy now well behind him, Dermot Desmond (right), the entrepreneur's entrepreneur, has show that you cannot keep a good commercial risk taker down for long. The stockbroker turned venture capitalist has cast his net wide since selling his shareholding in stockbrokers NCB to Ulster Bank in 1994.

With personal investments in Glasgow Celtic football club and London City Airport, the redoubtable Desmond has recently bought modest equity holdings in two public companies through his company, International Investment and Underwriting (IIU).

Jones Group and Barlo have been singled out for attention, the total outlay being just under £2.6 million - barely enough to redesign the tail on a shamrock. Although both companies face trading difficulties they have significant radiator businesses which would combine nicely. Whether IIU's equity purchase represents a straightforward investment or has a underlying predatory intent remains a matter of conjecture.