News in Brief: Wednesday May 7

YORKSHIRE lawyers have helped steer through the merger of two of the fastest growing AIM-listed groups within the independent financial advisory and wealth management sectors.

A corporate team from DLA Piper, headed by Sheffield partner Catherine Simister, acted for the Lighthouse Group which has merged with Bristol-based Sumus to create what is believed to be one of the largest,

autonomous IFA and wealth management groups in the UK with 900 advisers and combined turnover of £80m.

Corporate lawyers in the Sheffield office of DLA Piper celebrated a record breaking year in 2007 completing over 50 deals worth more than £3.5bn.

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DIRECT marketing agency, creativejuice has been appointed to carry out a series of campaigns for Newcastle Building Society.

The Guiseley-based direct response agency has been tasked with developing the financial service provider’s interactive communications approach and increasing online product sales.

Two campaigns are currently underway;  an email campaign that will cross-sell products to existing customers and a cross channel campaign to launch a new website for Newcastle Building Society’s  intermediary customers.

The campaign will aim to drive registrations and referrals for the new site and a target has been set to generate £40m structured product sales in 2008.

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ROTHERHAM-BASED glass repair and replacement specialist Solaglas Windowcare has announced it intends to replace its entire vehicle fleet, as part of an ongoing expansion programme.

Over the next three years, the Saint-Gobain-owned company will phase out its existing fleet of 130 vans, replacing it with new and fully-equipped vehicles – representing a commitment of more than £1m.

The first batch of vehicles has already been delivered to the company’s headquarters in Hellaby, near Rotherham.

The vans feature the company’s new livery and are equipped with the latest racking, glass storage and installation equipment.  Each van is fitted with a vehicle tracking system that allows engineers attending jobs to plan routes and avoid delays caused by traffic and roadworks.

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LAW firm Walker Morris has announced it has been appointed to provide legal services to four of Yorkshire’s largest councils.

Bradford, Calderdale, Wakefield and Kirklees have joined together as the West Yorkshire Local Authorities to appoint a legal panel for a wide range of legal services.

The firm will be called upon to when the councils need to employ the services of external solicitors.