Share Watch: Topps and Holidaybreak directors buy; Fund invests in ‘green’ technology

TOPPS Tiles’ directors have all bought shares in the business following the release of the group’s full-year figures which revealed a 26% drop in pre-tax profits.

Chairman Barry Bester spent £642,600 on more than 3.5 million shares. Business development director Nick Ounstead and non-executive Michael Jack also bumped up their holdings on Wednesday, the day after the Handforth-based business put out its figures.

Co-founder Stuart Williams also decided to buy spending £321,000 on 1.7 million shares.

The trades have left Mr Bester with 11.7%, Mr Ounstead with 0.37% and Mr Jack, who is also the MP for Fylde, Lancashire, with 0.02%. Mr Williams holds 11.4%. They all bought at 18.3p. The shares are now trading at 20p.

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THE directors of Holidaybreak also decided to invest in the business after releasing its full-year figures.

Chief executive Carl Michel, finance director Bob Baddeley and new non-executive Neil Bright bought a total of 12,870 shares at 180p each.

The Northwich-based business, which runs education, leisure and activity travel holidays, said it recognised that disposable incomes were being squeezed but insisted that it has enough “trading resilience” to survive when it put out its results.

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FUND manager Impax Asset Management has continued to build its stake in the Lancashire waste recycling business the TEG Group.

Impax now holds 7.77% of the company’s share capital after buying shares in recent months. AIM-listed TEG Group describes itself as a “green technology” business that converts organic waste into natural organic fertiliser.