Chorley-based Multipart has been bought by Indian group TVS Logistics Services just 18 months after its management team took control. The company, which specialises in supplying spare parts and components, employs over 250 people and has an annual turnover of £63m. Director Chris Gateley said: "The work we have done in winning new business and restructuring has proved that despite what have been challenging economic conditions, demand for services remains high. This deal provides Multipart with a robust financial and wider service range platform for domestic and international growth." To find out more click here.

United Utilities has announced that it has agreed the disposal of its entire 15 per cent investment in gas distributor Northern Gas Networks Holdings for £87.75m. Completion of the transaction is expected by the end of the year. The stake has been bought by the existing shareholders PG (April), a subsidiary of Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings; Beta Central Profits, a subsidiary of Hongkong Electric Holdings; and SAS Trustee Corporation, managed by RREEF Alternative Investments.

Stockley's Sweets, the Accrington-based confectionary company, has been bought by Morris and Son. The wholesaler, based in Leeds, bought the company out of administration, saving 38 jobs, for an undisclosed sum. The deal was funded internally with support from corporate finance adviser BTG McInnes. Andy Needham, managing director of Morris and Son, said: "Stockley's has always been a very solid business that was unfortunately dragged into problems caused by the failure of its parent company." To find out more click here.

Financial services businesses have been the most popular targets for deals in the first nine months of 2009, according to the Centre for Management Buyout Research (CMBOR). There were eight buyouts in the sector, which contributed 47 per cent (£194m) of the total deal value during the period. While there were as many deals involving manufacturing companies, these contributed just 3 per cent (£13m). Overall, the number of deals in the region declined, while average deal value was also down 44 per cent on the same period during 2008, to £10.9m.

Neal Shepherd, the head of private equity at DLA Piper in Manchester, is stepping into the deal Ask the Expert hotseat this week. Are you wondering whether private equity is the best option for your business in these uncertain times? Want to know what investors look for in a business? If you have a question that you'd like to ask Neal about private equity investment, click here to use our anonymous online form.

Law firm DWF has increased fee income by 15 per cent in the six months to 31 October 2009. The firm says the biggest area of growth has been its people division - employment law and pensions - which saw a 50 per cent increase in business during the period. Other growth areas included litigation (up 32 per cent), insurance (up 18 per cent) and private client work (up 10 per cent). Managing partner Andrew Leaitherland said the firm would continue to invest in people to grow the business "in line with our strategy to become a top 30 law firm".

HSBC is calling on firms to rethink their approach to funding and finance in order to capitalise on the upturn. According to the Business of Recovery report, which canvassed 2,100 small businesses and interviewed 30 business and economic experts, companies that continue to tighten their grasp on the purse strings at the expense of investment could unintentionally hamper their recovery and miss out on opportunities to grow and prosper. The bank is urging businesses to act now in order to secure the resources to weather the recovery.

Industrial engineering business Brammer said today that trading was continuing to show signs of stabilisation as it confirmed a £35.3m rights issue. The company reported that sales-per-working-day were down by 19.1 per cent for the period between 1 July and 31 October, compared to 21.7 per cent in the second quarter. Full-year performance is expected to in line with management expectations as the business continues to focus on "tight control of costs". The rights issue will enable Brammer to retain a strong balance sheet into 2010 and trade well within its borrowing covenants.

Greater Manchester Chamber has given its backing for a high-speed rail (HSR) network in a report published by the British Chambers of Commerce today. The report, supported by Network Rail and Greengauge 21, argues that the business and environmental case for HSR has clearly been made. Chris Fletcher, deputy chief executive at Greater Manchester Chamber said: “The time is right in the economic cycle for this to happen and Manchester must be an intrinsic part of the network. As the leading economy outside of London it is vital that we are included.”

Accountancy firm Tenon, which has five offices throughout the North West, has been announced as a partner to RAW 2010, the business event for entrepreneurs. Martin Kirby, regional managing director, said: “RAW 2010 will break new ground and, as entrepreneurial advisers, we felt that it was something we had to be a part of. Working with entrepreneurs is both thrilling and challenging, and it will be fascinating to observe what happens when 350 come together in one place to effect real change.”

Image Solutions has been awarded a £100,000 grant for research and development from the Northwest Regional Development Agency. The Preston-based company has developed a 'smart glass' enclosure for microscopes and aims to commercialise the technology. Ian Corless, managing director of Image Solutions (UK) said: "The funding enables us to research our market and its needs and will lead to truly innovative designs that will ultimately assist the bioscience community in their research."

To mark the start of Global Entrepreneurship Week today, the commercial team at North West law firm Stephensons Solicitors has put together a business start-up package. The firm has put together a shopping list of services, such as tenancy agreements and terms & conditions of sale, on its website. Corporate partner Kay Waddington said: “There are still hundreds of people starting new businesses. We want to support that philosophy by making the path to being a business owner straightforward.”

Manchester marketing agency Refinery has assisted ICI Paints AkzoNobel in changing the way it markets its three leading woodcare brands in-store, in a bid to simplify the purchase process and drive sales. The new point of sale follows an in-depth category review by the decorative coating manufacturer and showcases new designs, new products and brand propositions across the group’s three complementary woodcare brands – Dulux Trade, Sikkens and Cuprinol Trade.

Henmead, the holding company of Lancashire property group Eric Wright, has posted a loss before tax of £3.3m for 2008, after writing down the value of developments by £4.9m. The company, which renewed its banking facilities for three years in December 2008, attributed its fall in turnover to the construction market. It said its NHS LIFT projects continued to bear fruit, while the civil engineering division continued to grow. Of its residential division, it said there have been early signs of success in social housing.

Tomorrow sees a ‘Need help with renewables?’ event at Rheged, Cumbria; Rochdale Council hold a Beat the Crunch event; and Hill Dickinson host a property update at Lancashire CCC, while Deloitte hosts a sustainability seminar in its Manchester office - also in Spinningfields but in the evening, the ice rink and North Pole bar will be launched. On Wednesday morning Insider holds the Bury Better Placed breakfast at the town’s Fusiliers Museum. On Thursday there’s the launch of Four Piccadilly Place, the scheme’s final piece in the jigsaw. Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan speaks at an NSPCC lunch at Radisson SAS, Manchester Airport, on Friday.