Seymour Pierce, the UK broker, is set to hire Lexicon Partners to advise on a sale. Speculation about a sale has increased recently, with rumours that Seymour has been approached by a potential buyer. Kaupthing, the Icelandic bank, could be among the potential bidders, as could US investment bank Jefferies, US bank Bear Stearns, and Macquarie, the Australian investment bank. Rumours are circulating that owner Keith Harris wants £150m for Seymour Pierce, but city sources consider that ask optimistic. Harris is a 16% shareholder, while Alchemy Partners holds around one-third of Seymour Pierce, businessman Nigel Wray owns 4%, and the remainder is controlled by the broker's employees.