All the latest news-in-brief from our region...
Results success for Mercia after investment levels rise
Warwickshire-based investment group Mercia Technologies has reported a rise in revenue and profits for the first six months of its current financial year.
The company made £4.8m in revenue for the period to 30 September 2017, an increase from £2.8m during the same period in 2016. Pre-tax profits have also risen from £1m to £1.8m.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/results-success-for-mercia-after-investment-levels-rise?utm_source=westmidlands_newsletter&utm_campaign=westmidlands_news_tracker&utm_medium=business_article
Former Birmingham Airport CEO appointed chairman in Leamington Spa
The former chief executive of Birmingham Airport has been named as the new chairman of a Warwickshire-based technology company.
Paul Kehoe, who was also in charge of Bristol, Luton and Belfast airports, will start work at the Leamington Spa-based Realtimeknowledge.com, which gives regulators and stakeholders a digital compliance data record.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/former-airport-ceo-appointed-chairman
Nine-year sales high for Aston Martin
Sell-out demand for Aston Martin's DB11 model as well as special editions has helped drive up the luxury vehicle manufacturer's sales by 58 per cent to the highest in nine years.
Car sales exceeded 5,000 for the first time since 2008 and the group, which is headquartered in Warwickshire, expects to exceed full-year EBITDA guidance of at least £180m on revenues of more than £840m.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/nine-year-sales-high-for-aston-martin
Landmark year hailed for employment scheme
A National Lottery-funded employment support scheme has celebrated 12 months of success, having helped 700 people in Coventry and Warwickshire tackle major barriers to work and self-employment.
The £3m Accelerate project is part of ‘Building Better Opportunities’ programme, funded by the European Social Fund and the National Lottery, through the Big Lottery Fund.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/landmark-year-hailed-for-employment-scheme
Holland & Barrett double global HQ size in Warwickshire
Health and wellness retailer Holland & Barrett has doubled the size of its global headquarters in Warwickshire.
The company has added a further 48,000 sq ft to its base at Eliot Park, Nuneaton, which is the hub for more than 1,500 stores.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/holland-barrett-double-global-hq-size
AAA studio Rebellion acquires Radiant Worlds
One of the largest independent games studios in the UK announces the acquisition of Radiant Worlds. The takeover will further strengthen the already thriving games development cluster known as Silicon Spa
https://rebellion.com/blog/2018/1/6/radiant-worlds-acquisition
Heating firm sets up charitable trust to help more people
A boiler firm has set up a charitable trust to support good causes throughout the UK and Ireland.
Baxi Heating UK, which has a registered office in Coventry Road, Warwick, sought advice from Leamington law firm Wright Hassall on how to focus all its charity fundraising and donations in one place.
https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/business/heating-firm-sets-up-charitable-14115742?platform=hootsuite
Lockwood Publishing opens Leamington studio
The team behind the hugely popular game Avakin Life has opened a new studio in Leamington Spa.
Lockwood Publishing says the aim is to attract console and PC developers as it looks to grow its hit mobile project.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-12-01-lockwood-publishing-opens-new-uk-studio-in-leamington-spa
Oak Furniture Land arrives in Rugby
Oak Furniture Land has opened its first showroom in Rugby and its 90th store nationwide.
Featuring a mezzanine floor, the 16,548 sq ft furniture store is located at the Elliott’s Field Retail Park.
The new showroom has created seven new jobs and is part of the company’s ongoing expansion plans.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/milestone-opening-for-oak-furniture-land
Revenue rise in company’s first listed year
Revenue has increased at a Warwickshire-headquartered automotive components manufacturer, which started life making parts for the original Mini, in its first full year since its IPO in August 2016.
Autins Group, which is based in Rugby, has reported £26.4m in revenue for the year to 30 September 2017, an increase from £20.4m the year before. Pre-tax profits also rose from £186,000 to £207,000.
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/revenue-rise-in-companys-first-listed-year
GVA sign two-year contract with PropTech pioneers Nimbus® Maps
One of the UK’s leading real estate advisory businesses, GVA, has signed a two-year contract to use Nimbus® Maps throughout their entire UK office network.
http://www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk/mag/news/gva-sign-two-year-contract-proptech-pioneers-nimbus-maps/