Board of Sigma turn confidence into shares

SHARES in Edinburgh-based Sigma Capital moved ahead strongly last week after the company reported it had returned to a trading profit in 2011.

The Aim-quoted firm has also started to sell off its venture capital investments in the technology sector to focus more on its commercial property interests.

After the results, chairman David Sigsworth and his boardroom colleagues went into the market to buy shares in the company, signalling their confidence in its future strategy.

Sigsworth bought 150,000 and now holds 246,971, finance director Marilyn Cole bought 100,000 and now has 589,660 and investment director Mark Hogarth bought 142,857 and now holds 301,259.

Property development director John Hamilton and property investment director Gwynn Thomson bought their maiden stakes in the company, purchasing 285,714 and 142,857 shares respectively. They all paid around 7p each for the shares

• Andrew Lawrinson, finance director of gift group International Greetings, has bought his first shares in the company with the purchase of 35,000 at 49p each.

• Stephen Koo, chairman of digital surveillance group UniVision, has bought 500,000 shares at 0.52p each.

• Richard Hartman, a non-executive director of Millennium and Copthorne Hotels, has sold 132,694 shares at 478.00p each.