Wednesday business round-up: Five key stories of the day

Menzies Distribution has acquired Aberdeen-based Thistle Couriers

Logistics group John Menzies bought its third parcel delivery firm within a year. The Edinburgh-based firm’s distribution arm paid an undisclosed sum for Thistle Couriers of Aberdeen as it seeks to grow its presence in the fast-growing e-commerce market. The deal follows the acquisition last year of Oban Express and AJG Parcels of Inverness, the biggest parcel delivery firm in the Highlands.

Edinburgh legal firm Shepherd & Wedderburn hailed 2015 as a record year for corporate activity as it closed nearly 100 deals with a total end value of £5.4 billion. Head of corporate Andrew Blain also said that early indications of market activity suggested that 2016 could outstrip last year’s performance.

Brewer and pubs group Greene King said it was confident about its full-year prospects as it reported “strong” sales growth. The Belhaven Best owner, which last year sealed a £774 million takeover of rival Spirit Pub Company, said it enjoyed record sales of £6.8 million on Christmas Day, driven by its food offerings.

Edinburgh-based IT and digital recruitment firm Be-IT Resourcing bolstered its boardroom as it eyes a move into London and Frankfurt. Managing director Gareth Biggerstaff has appointed Kai Murray, a business growth consultant with 30 years’ experience in the UK recruitment sector, as a non-executive director to oversee the expansion plans.

The owner of Pinewood Studios – home to the James Bond and Star Wars films – could be sold as the company looks to “maximise value” for shareholders. Pinewood Group has appointed investment bank Rothschild to carry out a strategic review of the business that “could include a sale of the company”, which has a market value of £258m.