Johnson Service Group, the dry-cleaner and workwear provider based in Preston Brook, Cheshire, this morning said it is on target to meet expectations despite the tough economic conditions. In a statement to the stock exchange, it said its dry-cleaning division saw only a small improvement in trading in the second half of 2009, as it was hit by the cold snap, while its facilities management arm showed “modest profitability and revenue growth”. Profits in its textile rental division are also expected to show a modest increase. In December, the group announced a refinancing deal that has provided a new £78.5m facility until 30 April 2013.

Social Enterprise Network (SEN), set up ten years ago to promote social enterprises in Merseyside, has named Peter Morton as its new chief executive. Morton was most recently a director of the Mersey Waterfront, a partnership which strategically managed and shaped the wide-ranging regeneration along the river and coastline of the Mersey. SEN chairman Graham Worrell said: “Morton can help us achieve our aim of building SEN’s strength and influence.”

The number of UK businesses told to turn off their gas to help avert a crisis has been reduced to 27, according to the National Grid. Yesterday it emerged that 39 companies across the North West were told to switch from gas to alternative sources of fuel. That number has been reduced to 15 today. National Grid, which did not reveal the companies affected, said this was the first time it has had to ask firms to do this since 2003.

Comedian John Bishop is to compère entrepreneur event RAW 2010, which takes place on 20 January at the Lowry centre, Salford Quays. Bishop will lead a cast of speakers that includes Dragons' Den star Theo Paphitis, Music of Black Origin Awards founder Kanya King and supermarket boss Edwin Booth. More than 350 specially selected guests will attend the event.

Insider’s brand new North West Top 500 Companies 2010 CD-ROM will be available from 5 February 2010. Promote your business to the most profitable companies in the North West with this reliable and comprehensive business mailing list. As a valued reader of Insider News you will receive a 20 per cent discount (saving £65.80) if you pre-order online and then submit the promotional code: INW-T500CD-15. The same promotional code will also give a discount of £622.75 (individual cover prices) on our complete set of CD-ROMs (giving extensive coverage of England and Wales). Click here to order or contact Richard Graham for further information. These offers are only available until 31 January 2010.