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Top story
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MPs still want to grill Rosenfeld
MPs are still demanding that Kraft chief executive Irene Rosenfeld appear before a committee to answer tough questions about her company's takeover of Cadbury, Insider has learnt. Adrian Bailey, the chairman of the House of Commons' Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee, told Insider that parliament should also examine its rules on requiring non-UK nationals to attend its committees. He said Rosenfeld "missed out" on a chance to explain Kraft's plans for the UK by failing to appear at a meeting of his committee on 15 March which "damaged the Kraft brand in this country".
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Deals
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Insider's March Deal of the Month
Midlands Business Insider editor Andy Coyne has selected wholesale retailer AF Blakemore’s acquisition of rival Capper & Co.
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Keltruck motors on with Silurian merger
Keltruck, the Scania dealership based in West Bromwich, has merged with Silurian Scania. The moves comes after Keltruck bought shares in South Wales-based Silurian at the beginning of the year.
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Wright Hassall advises furniture store MBO
Leamington Spa law firm Wright Hassall has advised on the management buyout (MBO) of an outdoor furniture company. Oceans International and Oxfordshire Garden Furniture was bought by Oceans Holdings, saving 36 jobs.
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Property
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REI posts year-end losses
Birmingham-based property company Real Estate Investors (REI) has sunk into the red after making pre-tax losses of £5.6m. Paul Bassi’s company had made a pre-tax profit of £4.3m in its year-end results in 2009.
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Gateway scheme gets go-ahead
Birmingham regeneration specialist St Modwen has been given the green light to progress its £50m Hednesford Gateway development. Planning approval for the park element of the scheme has now been granted by Cannock Chase Council.
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Business
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AWM's ICT Cluster branches off
Advantage West Midlands’ ICT Cluster is launching itself as an independent organisation following the closure of the regional development agency. The organisation advises technology-focused businesses in the region, putting them in contact with commercial partners, support agencies and universities.
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BDP gains Pain
Martin Pain has been appointed architect director at BDP Birmingham Studio, Insider can reveal. Pain, who won Insider’s Architect of the Year award in 2010, joins the firm from Glenn Howells Architects.
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Two recruited to LEP board
Two additional private sector directors have been appointed to the Coventry and Warwickshire LEP. Vikki Heywood, executive director of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), and Amrik Bhabra, who runs IT and business consultancy firm Adecs, both join the board.
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April Fool!
Did you spot our April Fools' Day story about the "major deal done for an undisclosed sum"? Congratulations if you noticed our 1 April spoof by our "Insider correspondent". If you missed it, we have republished it today.
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Insider Membership – Communicate with Midlands Top Companies
Looking to develop your business? Want to expand your commercial reach? Try a sample of our Midlands Top 500 Companies marketing data list. Insider membership provides its members with up to date local business data, editorial, advice, networking events. Request a free data sample and membership information today.
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Other News
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HS2 will make increase in commuter trains possible - Hammond
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