Sage Announces Acquisition

North-East business software company Sage has announced the acquisition of Snowdrop Systems Ltd for £17m. Snowdrop supplies human resources management-related software to over 700 mid-sized businesses in the UK and last year achieved revenues of £7.5m. Newcastle-based Sage will announce its interim results tomorrow.

Helius Board Appointment

Green power company Helius energy has appointed Demetri Pappadopoulos as non-executive director with responsibility for Southern Africa. Middlesbrough-based Helius, which floated on the Alternative Investment Market earlier this year, plans to build a biomass power plant on Teesside, as well as a smaller energy plant in South Africa. Mr Poppadopolous, who was born in Zimbabwe, is also on the board of Middlesbrough-based biodiesel company D1 Oils.

Business Looks To Expand After Sir Peter Vardy Invests

A manufacturer and retailer of bath and body products wants to expand on a national scale after businessman Sir Peter Vardy invested in the company. Fresh Deli, run by brother and sister team Shaun and Danielle Dunn, is set to open stores throughout the country. The North Tyneside company has three outlets in the region and also sells its products through ten Debenhams stores nationwide.