South East January deal highlights: key acquisitions and investments

Takeovers and investments are the lifeblood of the economy of the South East of England and beyond.

Those who grow companies and the people who help facilitate investments and sales of these firms are very much powering the engine room of the UK economy and contributing to the country's economic strength.

For this reason, The Business Magazine has always championed the corporate finance community in the South East through our annual Deals awards for the Thames Valley and the Solent.

Each month we will now document the major deals that have taken place in the region. If you have been involved in a company purchase or investment and want the transaction to be considered for this list then please email me [email protected] .

TECHNOLOGY: Exclaimer Group buys Periodic

Email signature management specialist Exclaimer Group has bought US-based company Periodic.

The Farnborough headquartered group has purchased the Indiana firm which provides in the calendaring and appointment scheduling market.

TECHNOLOGY: Bidpath buys auction services provider

Hampshire-based Bidpath, which specialises in online auction software, has bought Cheshire firm Go Auction which develops and provides cloud-based services to support administrative activities of auction providers.

These include website content management, online marketing activities, and back-office support.

Bidpath chief executive Adam Alexander said: "Go Auction offers flexible administrative tools that allow auctioneers to scale rapidly and profitably in the exploding online auction markets."

TECHNOLOGY: Utopia Music buys Kent music data company

Proper Music Group has been acquired by fintech company Utopia Music.

The Swiss buyers say the acquisition of the Kent-based company, which distributes music digitally and in physical form, means that it will gain a database containing 33 billion global data points.

TECHNOLOGY: Pulsant acquires Manchester data centre

Reading-based cloud specialist Pulsant has completed the acquisition of a Manchester data centre and associated clients from M247 Limited.

The acquisition supports Pulsant’s strategy of geographic expansion, enabling the company to extend its edge platform to the city and the North West.

TECHNOLOGY: British Medical Auctions sold to Dutch outfit

British Medical Auctions (BMA) has confirmed its sale to Dutch auction company TBAuctions, part of Troostwijk Auctions. BMA will continue to operate with its own brand and online presence.

PROPERTY: Leaders Romans Group sold to Platinum Equity

Estate agents Leaders Romans Group (LRG) is to be sold by its venture capital owners Bowmark Capital to to US private equity firm Platinum Equity.

A binding agreement is in place for the sale of Leaders Romans Group (LRG) which was formed from the merger of two Bowmark portfolio companies, Leaders Lettings and Romans Group, in 2016.

LRG has a nationwide network of 210 branches and offices and specialises in residential property lettings, sales and associated professional services including planning and surveying.

LIFE SCIENCES: Cawood makes laboratory addition

Bracknell-based Cawood which specialises in providing analytical laboratory testing services has acquired independent Scottish testing laboratory Chemtech Environmental.

FOOD AND DRINK: Cook My Grub to launch funding round

Food delivery marketplace Cook My Grub is to launch another funding round and has targeted raising £1.5m.

The company's platform allows home chefs to develop personal profiles before preparing healthy meals that are delivered to their locals' doors.

The Maidenhead business is now seeking to raise £1.5m through a combination of VC, high net worth individuals, private and angel investors.

LEGAL: Begbies Traynor expand into the South East

Professional services firm Begbies Traynor has acquired Daniells Harrison as it looks to expand its geographical reach into the South East.

The Glasgow-based firm announced on Monday that it had acquired the chartered surveyors, which employs 27 people, in a deal initially worth £2m but the figure could rise to £3.25m depending on performance.

Daniells Harrison provide valuation and property consultancy services across the south coast of England from offices in Fareham, the Isle of Wight, Bournemouth and Hailsham.

TRANSPORT: Carousel Logistics sold to Danish private equity firm

Kent-based Carousel Logistics has been sold by its private equity owners Livingbridge to Danish private equity firm Axcel.

Founded in 1986 by former chief executive Graham Martin and Michael Martin, Carousel Logistics has offices in the UK, Netherlands, Germany and Spain.