Bootle-based Stack Data Solutions has posted sales of £610,000 for the first two months of this financial year, up from £204,000 for April/May last year. Stack specialises in cutting organisation’s IT costs and reducing their carbon footprint. Stack Technology Holdings, the group parent, also acquired Interconnect Network Systems in November 2009. Interconnect supplies and installs 10Gb/s data and voice cabling technology allowing the two companies to share customers.

John Leach, chief executive of Winning Pitch and former Insider 42 Under 42 alumnus, the Manchester-and-Liverpool-based consultant, is due to launch his new book The Success Factor – Ways to a Winning Mindset this month. Published by Crimson, the book is aimed at individuals who want to get more out of their life, career or business. Leach said: “Success is relative and is not all about money, although it does feature in the equation – it’s more about achieving a higher sense of purpose and feeling fulfilled in what you do.”

Knowsley, Sefton and West Lancashire Councils are carrying out a joint call for sites exercise to help identify land or premises that are suitable for housing or employment use. Each submitted site will be assessed against a range of criteria to determine its suitability for development. The final site assessments are due to be published later in the year. Sites in the green belt will not be considered at this stage and a separate study is being carried out to assess land for potential future development uses.