Spread-betting firm Spreadex has opened a new office in Liverpool. The Hertfordshire-based company, which offers both financial and sports spread betting, has moved into premises in The Plaza, on Old Hall Street. It will be run by traders Darren Barton and Robin Harrington. Barton said: “Spread betting is traditionally linked with the South East and London, but this form of trading has grown in popularity in recent years as an alternative investment tool and is being used by more and more people across the country, from the smaller speculator to the sophisticated larger investor.”

Moneysupermarket.com, the price comparison website, has reported a 29 per cent fall in earnings for 2009 as the company “managed itself through a very challenging period”. Revenue for the year to 31 December dipped 23 per cent to £136.9m, while adjusted EBITDA fell from £48.4m in 2008 to £36m. Chief executive Peter Plumb, who replaced Simon Nixon 12 months ago, said the group had achieved its aims for 2009: realign the business and invest for future growth. The company added that it had reduced its cost base by 13 per cent over the period. In April 2009, Moneysupermarket.com said it had cut 80 jobs in response to falling profits.

Employment training business Synapse Academy, based at Exchange Flags in Liverpool, has pledged to train and provide work for more than 300 people in the region this year. The company, which launched in the city in December, is aimed at 16 to 24 year-old jobseekers and provides them with qualifications and work experience placements. In the past 13 weeks, it has trained 60 potential employees who are now available to local customer service-based businesses for secondments. Pontins has already signed up to take on 12 employees.

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