North West gears up for MIPIM assault

The North West is gearing up for a big inward investment push at the world’s largest property exhibition – and Insider will be there to report. From tomorrow to Friday, Cannes will play host to an international exhibition that attracts anywhere upward of 30,000 visitors per year as the global property industry comes together to do business.

Deal of the Month – AppSense

In a close run fight for this month’s prize, Goldman Sachs’ £43m investment into Warrington software business AppSense has been named Insider’s Deal of the Month for February. The company beat off competition from Liverpool-based Princes, which agreed a £182m deal to buy the canned food operations of Premier Foods.

Profits up as K3 moves for Sense

Software company K3 Business Technology, based in Manchester, has bought Midlands rival Sense Enterprise Solutions in a deal worth up to £2.45m. The deal came as the company reported an 8 per cent leap in pre-tax profits in the first-half of its financial year.

Icona completes funding round

Manchester-headquartered advanced software company Icona, whose technology is used by the likes of Chrysler, Porsche and Bentley, has completed a £550,000 financing round. The funding will allow it to open a division in the North East.

Hammond disappointed by number of transport bids

The number of bids submitted to the government’s £1.4bn regional growth fund (RGF) for transport projects has been “disappointing”, transport secretary Philip Hammond has told Insider.

Marks & Clerk to consolidate in Manchester

Mark Kenrick, managing partner of the Manchester office of law firm Marks & Clerk, has told Insider the business is consolidating its offices in Leeds and Manchester offices into one, larger, office in Manchester. The firm's office in Leeds will be closed.

Board changes at Stobart

North West logistics giant Stobart Group this morning announced that William Stobart and David Irlam are to step down from the company’s board to focus on the core transport and logistics divisions.

Douglas joins Insider logistics panel

Martin Douglas from multinational food and agricultural giant Cargill is the latest name to be added to the panel for Insider’s Logistics Breakfast to be held on 24 March in Manchester.

Decision expected over Old Trafford plans

A High Court ruling over Lancashire County Cricket Club and supermarket giant Tesco’s redevelopment plan is expected later today. A judicial review, heard in Manchester last week, is set to decide whether it was 'unlawful' for Trafford Council to approve the joint bid.

Work starts on Bolton academy

Work has started on the first academy in the country to cater for students aged from three to 19-years-old. The £36m ‘super-school’ in Bolton is being built by Kier.

Argosy takes MediaCity space

Argosy, a distributor of broadcast cables and studio infrastructure products, has become the latest company to open an office at The Pie Factory at Peel’s MediaCity development in Salford.

Tague on Tour: Much to do to make Localism work

The coalition government has much to do to make its Localism Bill a workable piece of legislation that can encourage development, finds Neil Tague.

Talking Point: What does venture capital mean?

Self-styled “corporate finance activist” Malcolm Evans says even the best start-up businesses are clueless about venture capital. He's on a mission to change all that.

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Your questions answered - Meeting with buyers

How can you ensure a competitor's approach for your business is genuine? And who should join you in meetings? As part of our guide to Selling Your Business, Tremayne Ducker, director at Zeus Capital, has been answering your questions.

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