March 2017


AO World raises £50m; revenue to hit £700m

Bolton-based online electrical retailer AO World said it raised £50 million in a placing of 37.73 million shares at 132.5p — representing about 9% of the firm’s share capital. Further, in…


Sirius Minerals plans move from AIM to main market

Scarborough-based Sirius Minerals plc, the firm behind the controversial $2.9 billion fertilizer mine in North Yorkshire, said it plans to apply to move its share listing from AIM to the main…





Revenue tops €5bn at Sunderland’s Arriva

Sunderland-based passenger transport giant Arriva — part of Deutsche Bahn — said its 2016 revenue rose 5.2% to €5.09 billion, allowing it to invest €359 million in its…


CPP shares down as CFO departs, revenue falls

Shares of York-based “international assistance” firm CPP Group fell 14% after it said its 2016 revenue decreased 4% to £73.6 million and that chief financial officer Michael Corcoran would leave the…







Bovis suitor Redrow predicts £306m profit

Flintshire-based house builder Redrow, which has said it still wants to pursue a deal for Bovis Homes, on Wednesday issued a trading update saying its current performance was “robust” and…


Sunderland’s ScS sees revenue hit £158m

Shares of Sunderland-based furniture and floorings retailer ScS Group rose on Tuesday after it said its revenue rose 14.6% to £157.9 million and gross profit increased 12.4% to £72.9 million in the…





Unite buys £34m Durham student development

Unite Group plc said its student accommodation developer Unite Students acquired an asset under development near the University of Durham for £34 million. The accommodation will open in September 2018 and…


Harworth raises £28m to expand land bank

Rotherham-based real estate and brownfield regeneration firm Harworth Group said it conditionally raised £27.8 million by placing 29.2 million new shares at 95p in order to…


Revenue hits £159m at Leeds healthcare firm EMIS

Leeds-based healthcare software and information technology firm EMIS Group said its 2016 revenue rose 2% to £158.7 million and statutory operating profit rose 106% to £23.5 million “despite headwinds created by the NHS…


Toyota invests £240m in Derbyshire plant

Toyota said it will invest a further £240 million in its car plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire to “improve plant competitiveness and … promote UK supply chain efficiencies.” But…



Plans unveiled for £5bn Liverpool Waters scheme

The Peel Group-led consortium behind the £5 billion Liverpool Waters development unveiled the first glimpse of the new Central Docks neighbourhood at the MIPIM property conference in Cannes…









Sheffield’s Benchmark in Norwegian salmon deal

Sheffield-based Benchmark Holdings, the aquaculture biotechnology and food chain sustainability company, said it signed a long-term agreement with major Norwegian salmon producer SalMar ASA “to provide genetics, health…


Metronet acquires Venus for London expansion

Manchester-based internet infrastructure firm Metronet (UK), backed by mid-market private equity firm Livingbridge, said it acquired London-based fibre network provider Venus Business Communications. The acquisition of Venus follows Metronet’s…




Logistics North helps Harworth to £335m NAV

Rotherham-based real estate and brownfield regeneration firm Harworth Group said its 2016 net asset value (NAV) rose 12.5% to £334.9 million — 115p per share — helped…


Sage agrees to acquire rest of Fairsail

Newcastle-based Sage Group, the UK’s largest tech company, said it agreed to acquire Fairsail, the fast-growing cloud human capital management system for mid-sized businesses. Currently a minority…




Bain Capital buys big stake in Hull’s MKM

US-based private equity firm Bain Capital said it bought the stakes of 3i and LDC in Hull-based MKM Building Supplies, the UK’s largest independent builders’ merchant….


Approval for £130m University of Hull development

Campus accommodation and infrastructure specialists University Partnerships Programme (UPP) said plans for a £130 million student accommodation scheme at the University of Hull have been approved. UPP…


£210m wind farm investment for Durham’s Banks

Durham-headquartered Banks Renewables, the renewable energy division of property and energy business Banks Group, said it secured a £210 million investment package to support the construction…


Vimto helps Nichols grow revenue 7.4% to £117m

Merseyside-based soft drinks firm Nichols plc said Vimto sales helped its 2016 revenue rise 7.4% to £117.3 million and operating profit rise 9% to £30.3 million. “There is no doubt that the…


France’s Engie buys Keepmoat unit for £330m

French utility Engie said it agreed to acquire the regeneration business of Doncaster-based social housing developer Keepmoat, which specialises in renovating buildings for local authorities, for about £330 million. Engie said…








£105m IPO for Oldam’s Ultimate Products

Oldham-based consumer goods firm Ultimate Products said its London Stock Exchange IPO price was set at 128p per share, which will equate to a market capitalisation of £105.2…


NCC CEO steps down amid turmoil

Manchester-based cyber security company NCC Group said Rob Cotton stepped down as chief executive and as an executive director of its board with immediate effect. Brian Tenner,…