Shares in Pinewood Studios, which is looking to establish a studio in Ireland, jumped 14 per cent in trading on Wednesday after it said the business could be sold as the company looks to "maximise value" for shareholders.

The British studio, which is behind the James Bond and Harry Potter franchises, said it had appointed the Rothschild investment bank to carry out a strategic review of the business that "could include a sale of the company."

The business has a market value of about £358 million, according to recent estimates.

Shares in the group soared by more than 61 pence in trading in London to 515.5 pence on the news.

The head of the Irish arm of Pinewood Studios Naoise Barry, who launched the operation last year, said the company is looking to establish a studio in Ireland over the next five years.

The Irish subsidiary provides film financing, budgeting, scouting, scheduling, production planning, Government liaison, post/VFX, and local crew and facility sourcing.

Additional reporting: Reuters