London groups strike deal

Expression Marketing & Design, the 12-strong London graphics and packaging group, has acquired six-strong packaging and financial reports consultancy Barrow Parkhill.

The two consultancies will move into new premises on London’s Fleet Street next week.

Under the deal Barrow Parkhill becomes a wholly owned unit within Expression and continues to trade under its existing name.

Expression non-executive director Simon Harris will not put a figure on the purchase, or say whether the payment – to Barrow Parkhill co-founders Peter Barrow and Bob Parkhill – was made in cash or equity.

“The groups will work together on some projects and separately on others,” says Expression managing director David Baker.

The groups worked together on the packaging for Begrivac and Pnu-imune, two new products just launched by pharmaceutical company Wyeth Vaccines.

Baker says Expression will look to expand its existing operation to around 25 employees in the next two years.