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Top story
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Automotive strategy needed post-Modec, say business leaders
The region’s business leaders have told Insider that the government needs to come forward with a strategy for the automotive sector “as soon as possible” in the aftermath of the administration of Coventry eco-van manufacturer Modec. Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya, head of the Warwick Manufacturing Group, said the government now needed to act on its pledge to support green technology. The Manufacturing Advisory Service-West Midlands (MAS-WM) added that the company's collapse demonstrates “the continued vulnerability of automotive companies in the West Midlands”.
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Deals
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DLA Piper advises £450m acquisition
The Birmingham office of law firm DLA Piper has advised Intertek Group on its £450m acquisition of Moody International.
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Weightmans takes Vizards' insurance team
Law firm Weightmans, which has offices in Birmingham and Leicester, has confirmed it is to acquire the insurance division of Vizards Wyeth. The acquisition of the Kent-based firm's division will be effective from 1 April 2011.
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Clegg unveils more RGF details
A second round of bids for the Regional Growth Fund will open on April 12 and successful bids from the first round will be "announced shortly", Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has announced. He also said that due to the number of "high quality bids" received, the funding allocated to the first round may increase.
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The Bridge Group enters creative merger
Coventry-based marketing and communications consultancy The Bridge Group has merged with design and digital agency VU Creative, based in Wellingborough.
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Property
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East End Foods digs in to £35m project
Birmingham-based ethnic foods producer East End Foods has started construction of its fourth facility at the former HP Factory site in Aston Cross, Birmingham. The first phase of the £35m project will create 95 jobs in Aston.
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BSPA on lookout for Digital Plaza partner
Birmingham Science Park Aston (BSPA) is using the MIPIM property conference this week to appoint a joint venture partner to deliver its £35m Digital Plaza.
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Business
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Boot heads up Board Evaluation
A new Birmingham-based company has been set up by a group of business leaders and consultants to offer advice to company boards. Board Evaluation’s co-founders include former KPMG partner and Institute of Directors chairman Richard Boot and Gary Cowdrill, former finance director of West Bromwich Building Society.
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SEWM 'fighting back' after funding cuts
The business network for social enterprise in the West Midlands said it is "fighting back" after having its funding cut by the government. Social Enterprise West Midlands (SEWM) has now relaunched as a newly formed community interest company (SEWM CIC).
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Mids entrepreneurs are UK's most confident, says RSM Tenon
The latest quarterly report from RSM Tenon’s 'Business Barometer' has revealed that more than half (53 per cent) of Midlands’ entrepreneurs are confident about potential opportunities for their business over the next three months.
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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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