Cello Group hits right note

CELLO Group, the marketing services company behind agencies including Leith, recently reported steady progress in 2011 despite challenging markets.

Headline profits before tax were up by more than 10 per cent to £7.1 million in 2011 from £6.4m in 2010, although restructuring charges and impairment of goodwill took their toll at the pre-tax level.

Following the results, chief executive Mark Scott demonstrated his faith in the company’s prospects, buying 60,500 shares at 41p each to take his holding up to 863,719.

n John Worby, group finance director of genetics group Genus, has sold 43,000 shares following the vesting of share options. He disposed of 43,261 shares at 1,318.41p.

n Three directors at cooker group Aga Rangemaster have bought shares. Shaun Smith, finance director, bought 16,090 at 87p. Chief executive William McGrath bought 28,045 shares at the same price. Non-executive director Jonathan Carling made his first purchase of shares in the company, investing in 5,000.

n Tony Rice, chief executive of telecoms group Cable and Wireless Communications, has increased his holding in the company. He bought 2.5 million shares at 32.85p each, a total investment of £821,250.