Business briefs: Gavin O’Reilly quits INM | NS Design | Persimmon

The head of one of Ireland’s largest media groups resigned yesterday amid a long-running ownership battle.

Gavin O’Reilly, chief executive of Independent News & Media, quit following the boardroom struggle with billionaire telecoms and broadcasting magnate Denis O’Brien.

The company will now move on without an O’Reilly at the helm for the first time in the 40 years since Sir Tony O’Reilly bought the group.

NS has designs on new growth

DIGITAL marketing agency NS Design yesterday unveiled a 42 per cent jump in turnover to £350,000 after winning a string of new clients, including Business Gateway, law firm Dundas & Wilson and Eastern Western Motor Group.

Gary Ennis, founder and managing director of the Hillington-based company, expects revenues to break through the £500,000 barrier this year.

Ennis said: “The past 12 months saw us increase and concentrate our focus on social media training and consultancy – there has been a huge growth in demand in this area. Our client list continues to grow steadily and features high-profile businesses.”

Persimmon building on NewBuy

Housebuilder Persimmon yesterday said the government’s NewBuy scheme was helping to stimulate demand during a decent spring selling season.

The builder, whose brands include Charles Church and Westbury, reported a 20 per cent rise in its weekly sales rate for the year to date and said visitor levels at its sales sites were around 10 per cent higher.

It noted a further increase in interest following last month’s launch of the NewBuy 95 per cent loan-to-value mortgage guarantee scheme, only available in England. Persimmon said its order book, including legal completions, was 9 per cent higher than last year at £1.2 billion.

Chairman Nicholas Wrigley said: “We remain confident Persimmon can operate successfully within existing market conditions.”