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Lancashire-based Resource Team, which runs the established Review Centre user-generated review website, has been acquired in a management buy-in. The £9.25m deal sees Ingenious Media Active Capital, a Guernsey-registered closed-end investment company listed on AIM, partner with a new management team led by online marketing experts Nick Hynes as non-executive chairman and Glen Collins as chief executive. Resource Team, which was set up in 1999 and creates revenue from pay-per-click advertising, was advised by Hammonds and Rickitt Mitchell. Future plans for the business include international expansion and bolt-on acquisitions. 
Huws asking North Wales builder's merchant Huws Gray has made its fifth acquisition of the year, advised by law firm Mace & Jones. The Anglesey business has now picked up Bolton-based Bradshaw Builders Merchants, Burscough Building Supplies, Chesworth Building Services in Gwynedd, Telford's Wrekin Building Supplies and Shrewsbury business Monkmoor Building Supplies, taking its total number of locations to 27. The combined business has a turnover of £61m.
Darwen keeps deal flow going Blackburn-based bus builder Darwen Holdings is to buy Optare Group in a £16m reverse takeover. Subject to shareholder approval, Darwen will acquire Jamesstan Investments, the holding company of Optare, which is run by Roy Stanley, Darwen's chairman. The group, which floated in February, intends to raise a further £16m through the issue of 40 million placing shares at 40p. The executive directors have subscribed to placing shares worth £650,000 at the placing price, alongside the institutional investors.
The personnel touch With energy prices rarely out of the headlines these days, Alderley Edge-based engineering consultancy ASTEC has acquired Energen Personnel, an Aberdeen company specialising in recruitment within the oil, gas and energy industries. ASTEC, established in 1994, set up ASTEC Oil & Gas as a sister company in Aberdeen earlier this year. Chief executive Andy Thompson said: "We have broadened our client base in oil and gas and added a permanent recruitment solution to our portfolio. Energen has access to the nuclear market and an increased level of investment for future development. Efficiency gains will also be made as a result of the acquisition."
One of the region's top academics has thrown his weight behind regional nuclear development in an effort to realise the potential of the North West's universities and generate debate on future energy needs. Vice-chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University and Northwest Regional Development Agency big hitter John Brooks told Insider it's not possible to be green and not support nuclear development. "Some of the cities - Manchester, for example - have a âno nuclear' policy, which is a political decision. But I think it defies an economic judgement really, which needs to be played out," he said. "The University of Manchester and Lancaster University have both got considerable strengths in nuclear design and physics - and one proposal is to secure the academy for nuclear reprocessing in Cumbria." His comments come at a time when the region remains split on the future of nuclear infrastructure development.
Plant Impact confident of commercial growth Preston-based Plant Impact, developer of plant stress management technologies, this morning announced a fall in turnover and profits that reflects efforts to grow the AIM-listed company's market share. Sales for the year to 31 March fell from £377,000 to £285,000, which Plant Impact said is due to a focus on larger distributors, with increased geographical penetration, and increasing activity on its licensing and partnering strategy. The pre-tax loss rose slightly, a reflection of spending on people, marketing and travel as the company moves to commercialise its product range.
AGMA offers congestion exemptions, but not for trucks The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) has said that its public consultation will include proposals for discounts both on the congestion charge and on public transport for low-income workers. It is also likely to offer motorcyclists and disabled drivers a full exemption from its congestion charge. AGMA also announced that it proposes to charge commercial vehicles in full, but with a daily cap for those with multiple drop-offs, while Trafford Park could see a 50 per cent discount until full improvements are made.
JJB builds value offer JJB Sports has revealed plans to open scaled-down versions of its health & fitness centres as it seeks to build on the best-performing part of its business away from retail. Chief executive Chris Ronnie believes JJB already has an edge in value for money over competitors like David Lloyd, but the Wigan-based business is reported to be taking this further by introducing clubs without swimming pools and associated areas.
Business start-ups buoyant Despite wobbly economic conditions, business start-ups are still on the up, according to the latest figures from Barclays. A reminder that the North West is still full of entrepreneurial drive, the bank estimates 13,000 businesses opened their doors in the region in the first quarter of 2008, with business and financial services being the most popular sector in the region, followed by construction. There were 98,000 new start-ups in England and Wales, the highest level in the last three quarters.
Property investor Vincent Tchenguiz has invested in Braemar UK Agricultural Land, a fund set up by Hale-based investment specialist Braemar, which is diversifying as returns from property dwindle - last week, the AIM-listed group reported losses of £450,000 as revenues dropped from £2.36m to £1.26m. The group, which closed its Armchair Property Investor arm earlier this year, now has 1,000-plus acres of farmland under offer through the new fund. Chief executive Marc Duschenes said: "This is a huge growth area in the current climate and, with food and oil prices increasing rapidly, there is every reason to believe that the demand for UK land for both food and bio-fuel crops will continue to remain high for many years to come. Following this investment we will be actively pursuing a flotation of this simple, yet exciting business."
Barclays builds on Quay Street Barclays, advised by CB Richard Ellis and Edwards & Co, has taken a further 5,000 sq ft at its offices in Astley House on Manchester's Quay Street. The lease will run in conjunction with the bank's existing leases at Astley and neighbouring Byrom House, where the two agencies have also acted on a deal for child protection body CAFCASS to lease a further 3,000 sq ft.
If you’re seeking a business event that reflects the current green mood of the economy, look no further than the Northwest Business Environment Awards 2008 on Thursday, an event that celebrates environmental and business excellence, hosted by the Northwest Regional Development Agency and the Mersey Basin Campaign. Insider’s Lisa Miles is shortlisted in the media champions category and other companies in the running for a range of awards include Jaguar at Halewood and Oldham-based bakery Park Cakes. Also on Thursday, the BVCA is holding its Young People in Private Equity networking event held by the BVCA at Room in Manchester. And, in a busy week for Room, Wednesday morning sees the Institute of Directors (IoD) North West hold a discussion breakfast hosted by IoD senior economist and head of transport and energy policy Peter Patterson.
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