Articles by Northern Financial Review


Big investors vote against Persimmon CEO’s £75m

Aberdeen Standard Investments voted against the “enormous” remuneration packages for executives at York-based housebuilder Persimmon including a £75 million package for Persimmon CEO Jeff Fairburn at the…





CMA clears Co-op’s £137m deal to buy Nisa

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has cleared the £137.5 million purchase of Scunthorpe-based Nisa Retail Limited by the Manchester-based Co-op following an investigation. “After closely examining all…



Drax starts £50m share buy-back programme

Selby, North Yorkshire-based power company Drax Group said on Friday it is commencing a £50 million share buy-back programme. J.P. Morgan Securities plc (JPMS plc) will…



Maven Capital to manage £27m North East fund

Private equity firm Maven Capital Partners said it has been appointed to manage the £27 million North East Development Capital Fund (NEDCF) which will provide equity, debt…




Sage shares fall amid revenue warning

Shares of Newcastle-based software giant Sage Group fell more than 9% after it said in a trading update that first half organic revenue growth results “were below…



Eddie Stobart brand name could be changed

Warrington-based Eddie Stobart Logistics plc said it could drop the iconic Eddie Stobart brand name in the next few years. Eddie Stobart Logistics currently pays its…











Conviviality ‘intends to appoint administrators’

Troubled Crewe-based alcohol wholesaler and distributor Conviviality Plc — which owns Bargain Booze and Wine Rack — said on Thursday it intends to appoint administrators within 10 business days….


Leeds consultancy WYG expects £155m revenue

Leeds-based WYG, the AIM-listed project management consultancy, said it expects revenue and operating profit for the year, before separately disclosed items and share-based payments, to be in…



Conviviality fails to raise emergency £125m

Troubled Crewe-based alcohol wholesaler and distributor Conviviality Plc — which owns Bargain Booze and Wine Rack — said late on Wednesday it failed to raise the £125 million it…








Lancaster in £100m roads and housing bid

Lancashire County Council has submitted a bid for £100 million from the UK Government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) Forward Fund that would go towards transport…



Henry Boot revenue up 33% to £408.5m

Sheffield-based construction group Henry Boot plc said its 2017 revenue increased 33% to £408.5 million and profit before tax increased 40% to £55.4 million Proposed…


Manchester’s Edina bought in £55m deal

Manchester-based Edina, a provider for CHP, gas and diesel power generation, has been bought by EPAL, a joint venture between India’s EESL (Energy Efficiency Services Ltd)…


Conviviality seeks £125m to avoid going bust

Troubled Crewe-based alcohol wholesaler and distributor Conviviality Plc — which owns Bargain Booze and Wine Rack — said late on Wednesday it will meet institutional investors in the coming…






Sunderland sofa firm ScS half-year revenue £160m

Sunderland-based furniture and floorings retailer ScS Group said its revenue rose 1.8% to £160.7 million and gross profit increased £2.4 million to £75.3 million in the 26 weeks ended…


Castleford’s PTSG sees revenue up 35% to £53m

Castleford, West Yorkshire-based Premier Technical Services Group plc (PTSG), the niche specialist services provider, said its revenue rose 35% to £52.9 million in the year ended December…





Conviviality CEO steps down amid turmoil

Troubled Crewe-based alcohol wholesaler and distributor Conviviality Plc — which owns Bargain Booze and Wine Rack — said on Monday its CEO Diana Hunter is stepping down with immediate…





Persimmon hires chairman amid executive pay row

York-based housebuilder Persimmon — still under shareholder fire for excessive executive compensation — said corporate veteran Roger Devlin will join Persimmon as chairman from June 1, 2018.   Last…



Marshalls ups dividend as revenue tops £430m

Elland, West Yorkshire-based landscaping products company Marshalls plc said its 2017 revenue rose 8% to £430.2 million and profit before tax was up 13% to £52.1 million. Marshalls’ board is…








Manchester’s AJ Bell plans £500m IPO

Manchester-based investment platform AJ Bell said it appointed Numis Securities to explore an initial public offering (IPO) of AJ Bell on the main market of…



Shares of Bargain Booze parent fall 60%

Shares of Crewe-based alcohol wholesaler and distributor Conviviality Plc — which owns Bargain Booze and Wine Rack — plummeted 60% on Thursday after it warned in a trading…


Regulator probes Co-op on supplier treatment

The UK supermarket regulator has launched an investigation into the Manchester-based Co-op Group over its treatment of suppliers. The Co-op said it had “fallen short” and…




Bodycote revenue up 15% to £690m

Macclesfield-based engineering and thermal processing giant Bodycote said its 2017 revenue grew 14.9% to £690.2 million and its headline operating profit rose 24% to £123.9 million Full…