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Top story
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Liverpool readies for Software City
Liverpool is gearing up for the launch of the fourth international Software City conference which will see ten companies from the UK, US and Finland pitch for investment. Organiser Steve Smith, Liverpool Vision’s digital industry director, told Insider that Thursday’s event will be a “win-win” situation for the region.
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Deals
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Bibby expands international footprint
Bibby Financial Services has continued its international expansion with the purchase of a Swedish independent factoring company. The Liverpool-headquartered group has acquired Kopparberg Finans, based in the Ljusnarsberg region of Sweden, for an undisclosed sum.
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Business
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Assura beats expectations
Warrington primary care property group Assura has increased revenue and operating profits during the past six months, the company’s first full period of trading following the sale of the medical services business to Virgin Group.
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Mogford to replace Green at UU
Steve Mogford is to replace Philip Green as the chief executive of Warrington-headquartered United Utilities (UU), the company has confirmed. Speculation had been mounting over the weekend that Green was set to depart after completing the sale of the group's non-core assets, a brief he was given when he joined.
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Dee Valley hit by borrowing charges
A £2.2m increase in borrowing charges was blamed for a £2m drop in first-half pre-tax profit at Wrexham-based water company Dee Valley. However, revenue for the six months to 30 September rose to £10.6m, a 1.9 per cent increase on the first-half of 2009, which Dee Valley said reflected a 0.9 per cent rise in average annual charges.
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UK still healthy for entrepreneurs, finds study
North West businesses believe the UK is still a healthy environment for entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses, according to research commissioned by Yorkshire Bank. Of the 80 companies surveyed, 76 per cent said Britain is a good place to start a new business, while 71 per cent believe the UK economy offers good prospects for investment and growth opportunities.
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UK-wide business contacts – Complete set of Top 500s
Insider have released a fantastic nationwide source of business contacts: The Complete set of Top 500 Companies 2010 Database. A comprehensive listing of the top contacts at the top companies for all available regions (North West, South West, Midlands, Yorkshire South East (exc. London) and Wales). Free sample and special offers available until 24 December.
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Property
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ACL Chapel Street move abandoned
Insider understands that the intended move by Atlantic Container Line into Rumford Investments’ 20 Chapel Street has been abandoned. The shipping line, currently based at Peel’s Princes Dock, will instead re-gear its lease at the waterfront scheme.
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Wind farm objections trigger public inquiry
Cheshire West and Chester Council has objected to Peel’s proposals for a 20-turbine onshore wind farm on green belt land in Frodsham. The objection has now triggered a public inquiry.
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People come First for Aztec
Aztec Interiors, the Manchester and Liverpool based fit-out contractor, has completed a 5,500 sq ft fit-out for housing trust People First in the City Road building on the southern fringe of central Manchester.
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