Arthur J. Gallagher & Co is to acquire the business and certain assets of London based Woodbrook Underwriting Agencies, Ltd. The transaction is expected to close during the first quarter 2011. However, terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Woodbrook is a Financial Services Authority authorized underwriting agency representing a number of major insurance companies and

US based sports and entertainment agency Wasserman Media Group has acquired the UK’s rights manager and advisory firm Reel Enterprises. The move is in line with the US firm’s strategy of becoming a global sports rights market-maker. The financial terms of the transaction were however undisclosed.
Based in Los Angeles, the sports and entertainment agency has

Chinese steel producer Anshan Iron and Steel Group signed a deal with Stemcor that will see the Chinese firm set up a JV holding firm in the UK. Stemcor is the world’s largest independent steel trader. The agreement will see the Chinese steel producer set up a joint venture holding company in the UK called

Leading global business services company focused on modular space and secure storage solutions, Algeco Scotsman, Tuesday announced its acquisition of RB Farquhar (Hires) Ltd.  RB Farquhar is a provider of modular buildings and cabins in the U.K. Under the terms of the investment, Farquhar Hires’ fleet and five operating branches will be integrated into Algeco’s

Azelis, the leading pan-European specialty chemicals distributor, Tuesday announced it has acquired S&D Group Limited, a UK leading specialist supplier of raw materials and ingredients to the pharmaceutical, food, personal care and performance chemicals industries.
Azelis said the acquisition of S&D Group is strategically important as it will significantly strengthen the Azelis Life Science business (Pharma,

Essar Energy plc is to acquire Shell UK Ltd’s Stanlow Refinery and Stanlow related assets. Essar Energy is an India-focused integrated energy company. The investment will be undertaken through an Essar Energy indirect wholly owned subsidiary. The investment is for a consideration of US$350 million in cash.
Under the agreement, Shell has granted Essar Energy exclusivity

UK based supplier of resource scheduling software firm, BusinessSolve Ltd, has been acquired by PeopleCube. PeopleCube is a provider of intelligent workplace management technology. The investment comes as PeopleCube’s fifth overall in eight years and second in the UK within five years.
It more than triples the company’s market penetration in the UK and establishes PeopleCube

H.I.G. Europe, the European arm of global private equity firm H.I.G. Capital, Wednesday announced that funds advised by H.I.G. European Capital Partners LLP acquired Fibercore Ltd. Fibercore is a UK based global market leader in the design and manufacture of specialty optical fibers, from Cisco.
Based in Southampton, England, Fibercore provides a wide range of specialty

Morrison Supermarkets announced the acquisition of Kiddicare along with the rights for its technology platform. Kiddicare is a multi channel online retailer of baby products and the transaction cost £70 million. Last year, the multi channel online retailer had a turnover of £37.5 million and has grown by 75% in the past three years.
Currently, Kiddicare

HPI LLC has acquired the UK based DLE Aero Ltd, a services firm specializing in Dry Low Emissions/Dry Low NOx (DLE/DLN) mapping. HPI LLC is a leader in the supply of turbine control, fuel valve replacement and mechanical overhaul services, said the firm’s press release.
DLE/DLN mapping enables owner/operators of gas turbines realize lower emissions and