SQW is to merge with Oxford Innovation to create a company called SQW Group with 150 staff, in order to operate a chain of innovation centres and advise local authorities in encouraging small business... [more]

Foster Yeoman, the Somerset-based building materials company with 700 staff, is to be acquired by Holcim of Switzerland for an estimated cash offer of £300m. Holcim, one of the world's leading cement ... [more]

Aquilo has acquired IT Solutions, the Leeds-based provider of IT equipment replacement and repair services, for up to £1.5m.... [more]

Avingtrans has acquired a 75% stake in Sigma Precision Components, the provider of services to the aerospace industry with offices in Tamworth and China.... [more]

BioProgress is to acquire Segix Farma, the Italian pharmaceuticals company that specialises in the anti-infective, gastrointestinal and oncology sectors, for up to £1.3m.... [more]

Vail Williams has acquired Property Management Services, the Birmingham-based commercial property consultancy with six staff.... [more]

Galaxy Travel, the East Anglian chain of 20 travel agency branches, has been acquired by Harvey World Travel of Australia.... [more]

A&G Moulding of Hull has acquired the sign component moulding business of Aston Designs of Exeter for undisclosed terms.... [more]

Vue Entertainment, the cinema operator, is to undergo a £350m management buy-out.... [more]

Cadbury Schweppes, the UK-based confectionery and beverage company, is tipped to sell or spin off its beverage division at some point in the future. Cadbruy's has a market capitalisation of $19.8bn. ... [more]

Dunfermline Press has acquired William Trimble, the Enniskillen-based newspaper publisher, for undisclosed terms, in order to expand its Ulster News Group subsidiary.... [more]

Golley Slater has acquired McCann Erickson's marketing services business in Leeds, with the transfer of 55 staff.... [more]

Silcock Dawson has acquired John Ryan Partnership, the Leeds-based building services company.... [more]

Hoopers has acquired the Bulloughs department store in Carlisle.... [more]

GVA Grimley has acquired Osmond Tricks, the Bristol-based property consultancy, and the 20 Osmond Tricks staff will relocate to the GVA Grimley office at University Gate next month.... [more]

Leisure & Gaming has acquired the BetShop Group, the online gambling company and chain of Italian betting shops, for up to £32m.... [more]

Dawson Holdings has acquired the news wholesaling business of Kent-based JG Palmer for £5m.... [more]

Stanley Leisure has acquired the Harbour House casino in Southampton for £5.9m.... [more]

Punch Taverns has sold five former Spirit pubs in London to a new company called Food & Fuel.... [more]

Morse, the UK-listed IT group, may sell its hardware division due to a shift in focus towards software and services. US IT groups Ingram Micro and Tech Data have been named as potential bidders should... [more]