A fast fashion retailer, one of the North West's technology unicorns and a fast-growing investment firm are among a raft of deals which have been announced in recent days.
The likes of a Boohoo, In The Style and Auto Trader have all made announcements since BusinessLive's previous round up.
Below, BusinessLive rounds up the latest nine deals from across the region that we feel you should not miss.
READ MORE: Click here to sign up to the BusinessLive North West newsletter
READ MORE: P&O Ferries admits paying new workers below UK minimum wage
If there is a deal you would like featured in our next round up, please e-mail jon.robinson@reachplc.com
Boohoo
The central bank of Norway has cashed in on the Boohoo's recent share price rise and slashed its stake by almost 50%.
Norges Bank has cut its holdings in the fashion giant from 11.7% to 6.3%, according to new documents filed with the London Stock Exchange.
The move comes after the bank became the largest institutional investor in Boohoo earlier this month.
Boohoo's share price has been on the rise since the bank made the investment when Boohoo's shares were being traded at 74.28p each.
On Monday, March 21, the group's shares closed at 95.90p.
Auto Trader
Auto Trader has agreed to acquire one of the UK's largest new car leasing marketplaces in a deal which could be worth up to £200m.
The Manchester-headquartered group is set to buy Autorama (UK) for an initial consideration of £150m in cash.
A further £50m could be settled in shares subject to "customary performance conditions" 12 months after the completion date.
Autorama has created a digital platform which aggregates leasing deals from multiple funders and OEMs under its Vanarama brand.
PZ Cussons
The group behind Carex, Original Source and Imperial Leather has bought a baby and child personal care brand for almost £40m.
Manchester-headquartered PZ Cussons has acquired Childs Farm which is based in Baskingstoke, founded by Joanna Jensen and has product lines includes bath and shower, skincare and haircare.
PZ Cussons bought c.92% holding in the business for £36.8m and has an "agreed path to full ownership" by the end of May 2025.
Joanna Jensen has invested £3.3m of the proceeds of the sale of her interest in Childs Farm in PZ Cussons Acquisition Co Limited, an indirect subsidiary of PZ Cussons, and now holds 8.1% of the issued share capital of PZCA.
In The Style
A US investment giant has taken a stake an online fashion company which grew after collaborating with reality TV stars such as Love Island’s Dani Dyer, Geordie Shore’s Charlotte Crosby and Towie’s Billie Faiers.
Ameriprise Financial has bought a 5% holding in Salford-headquartered In The Style.
The Minneapolis-headquartered buyer can trace its roots back to 1894 and provides financial planning products and services, including wealth management, asset management, insurance, annuities, and estate planning.
Fearless Adventures
A sustainable chemical manufacturer, whose products are sold by the likes of Booths, has been backed by Fearless Adventures in its largest investment to date.
The Friendly Chemical Co (FCC), which is based in Skipton, Yorkshire, will use the funding to expand its ethical cleaning products brand, Miniml.
FCC was established by Emma Tapper and Scott Rudd, who started the business from their garage in Leeds using a paint mixer and a 200L drum to make their first ever product.
It recently expanded into a 10,000 sq ft new facility in Skipton, which will act as it’s dedicated manufacturing site in The Yorkshire Dales.
Butterworth Barlow
Prescot-based accountancy firm Butterworth Barlow has merged with neighbouring practice Kingham Accountants.
Partner Gavin Butterworth said: "When the opportunity to join forces with another long-established firm arose, it seemed like the perfect next step in our journey as we knew that there was so much more that we could achieve.
"It’s hoped that we will now aim towards increasing our staffing number to 20 in the next twelve months as we look set to hit £1m in turnover in 2023.
"We’ve always continuously adapted and evolved our offering, services and processes to meet with the needs of our clients and to make sure they’re accessible for everyone we work with.
"This is what drove us to implement online and digital tools in recent years so that our approach is as varied as the businesses on our books."
TIMCO
Swedish based Bufab has acquired TIMCO, a supplier of construction products in Nantwich for £54m.
Simon Midwood will continue to run the business with the senior team at TIMCO.
The company reported a turnover of £49.7m in 2020, and is expected to report a turnover of approximately £60m for 2021.
Johan Sandberg, director global business development and group director UK, added: "I am honoured and very happy to announce this acquisition, which is the largest acquisition so far for Bufab. It is a significant and attractive add-on to our existing businesses in the UK.
"TIMCO is a very strong brand within C-parts (Screws, fasteners and fixings, nails etc) to the construction industry and will significantly improve Bufab's customer offering in this market segment.
"This strategic expansion in the UK market further underlines our commitment to grow and widen our offering in new market segments and we are confident that TIMCO will continue to grow and to keep its strong entrepreneurial DNA and excellent customer service also as a member of Bufab group."
Evolution Aqua
Manufacturer Evolution Aqua has announced a £12m investment from BGF.
The Wigan-headquartered company is a designer, manufacturer and supplier of a wide range of water filtration products and associated equipment, primarily focused on the aquatics industry for both indoor and outdoor fish care.
CEO Nick Jackson said: "Over the past 20 years, Evolution Aqua has been at the forefront of water filtration technology, continuously developing products for our wide range of users, all of which rely on our products to maintain high water qualities.
"We are now in a position to rapidly build on the platform we have created, which will include launching exciting new products and expanding our international presence. BGF, with its minority, patient capital approach and flexibility, are therefore a perfect partner to embark on this next stage of growth."
Parity Medical
Bromborough-based medical devices company Parity Medical has been sold to US group TouchPoint Inc.
The company manufactures customised medical carts, mounting systems, tele-medicine products and patient entertainment systems.
Parity Medical will join Pennsylvania-headquartered TouchPoint’s Healthcare platform.
Pete Terry, partner and head of corporate finance for Grant Thornton in North West, who led the deal alongside associate director Chris Ryan, said: "Parity Medical is a fantastic North West success story which is now very well-placed to continue to thrive as part of a global business with significant resources and more than 4,500 employees in 27 countries.
"Even before the pandemic, the team was seeing real growth in the health care sector and as spending in new treatments and at-home diagnostics increased, investor interest has accelerated.
"As the NHS continues to adapt technology and digitalise the ways in which it works, we expect a strong pipeline of activity and investment into this sector."
