In today’s headlines Scottish & Southern Energy is about to part with £1 billion to take control of a wind farm company and Octopus backs the management buy-out of Tristar Worldwide Chaffeur Services

Done deals:

• William Sinclair, a horticultural supplies company, has expanded its business with the acquisition of Accrington-based Joseph Metcalf for £3 million

• Fusion Antibodies has raised £1.2 million to fund clinical trials for its new antibody drugs and to recruit new scientists

• Tor Coatings has bought the fire-retardant coatings business of Kent-based Bollom Fire Protection from its administrator for an undisclosed sum

• Printed circuit board manufacturer One Way Circuits has strengthened its business through the acquisition of Leicester Circuits

• Southern Bear, an engineering and industrial investor, has acquired Phoenix Dynamics, a Stoke-based supplier of electronics equipment, for up to £1.5 million

• Property services and construction giant Rok has spent £3 million buying Pitkerro, a plumbing and heating services firm

• Management at Tristar Worldwide Chaffeur Services, which serves airlines and corporate clients, has bought the company for £9.75 million with the backing of Octopus Investments

In the pipeline:

• Scottish & Southern Energy is to buy Airtricity, a wind farm company with sites in the UK and Europe, for £1 billion

• Indian company Marksans Pharma is to buy pharmaceuticals manufacturer Hale Group, which has operations in Widnes and Southport, for an undisclosed sum

• Ark Therapeutics, a medical science group, is to develop its gene-based medicines after agreeing to buy Finish company Lymphatix for £1.7 million

• Equipment hire specialist Speedy Hire has agreed to pay Amec £13 million for LSS, a Darlington-based tool and equipment hire firm