Friends Provident is on the search for potential acquisitions in Asia that could take it beyond the Hong Kong and Singapore markets, though no specific deals are in the pipeline. The priority in Asia for Friends Provident though was the organic growth of existing operations.
APA Parafricta, a developer of low-friction fabric for the medical sector, has secured £230,000 to help set up a global distribution network for the product. The investment comes from business angel group the Oxford Investment Opportunity Network (OION) and Bank of Scotland Corporate.
Support services group Serco has revealed its plans to acquire SI International, a NASDAQ-listed provider of information services, outsourcing, technology and network solutions to the US Department of Defense and civil government agencies, for $423 million (£229 million).
APA Parafricta, a developer of low-friction fabric for the medical sector, has secured £230,000 to help set up a global distribution network for the product. The investment comes from business angel group the Oxford Investment Opportunity Network (OION) and Bank of Scotland Corporate.
Support services group Serco has revealed its plans to acquire SI International, a NASDAQ-listed provider of information services, outsourcing, technology and network solutions to the US Department of Defense and civil government agencies, for $423 million (£229 million).
The board of construction products manufacturer Hill & Smith has confirmed that the latest step in its international expansion plans will be an acquisition in the US.
A report by accountant KPMG out this week will warn that the downturn in the housing market is likely to lead to an increase in mergers among building societies, as bad debts from mortgages rise and profits fall.
