LONDON (ShareCast) - Minorplanet Systems has said although its overall result was largely unchanged from the previous half year, it has strengthened its position both in the UK and internationally.

The vehicle management information provider reported pre-tax profit for the half year rose to £0.3m from £0.2m last year on turnover that fell to £11.3m from £11.6m last time.

Gulfsands Petroleum has appointed Andrew Rose as Chief Financial Officer. Rose, 51, was the former Chief Financial Officer of Burren Energy prior to its acquisition by Italy’s ENI. He will join the company on a full-time basis on 1 August.

In April, both John Dorrier, chief executive officer, and David DeCort, chief financial officer, resigned from Gulfsands after it decided to move its HQ to London.

Uniform and workwear supplier Alexandra had a flat year to January with profits held back by its previously flagged stock accounting error. That meant profits came in at £4.79m against £4.95m in the year to January. Sales were 4% lower at £78m.

“Despite last year's underperformance, the current year has started well with turnover up and our re-sourcing strategy producing positive margin benefits. In addition, the anticipated sale of our freehold Bothwell site in Scotland should significantly reduce borrowings,” chief executive Julian Budd said.

Architect group White Young Green's trading during the first four months of 2008 has been positive with strong demand across all business sectors The three acquisitions made in the first half of the financial year, Savell Bird and Axon, IMCL and PH McCarthy are all performing well and are successfully integrating into WYG, it added.

Good demand for its back catalogue of children’s TV cartoon programmes lifted BKN’s first half earnings to a new record. Net income in the half year to March rose by 28% to €2.4m on revenues 9% better at €8.2m.

“These record earnings for the first half of fiscal 2008, on top of record earnings recently published for full year 2007. While there can be no guarantee that the financial or economic slowdown in various parts of the world do not negatively impact our second half 2008 and full year 2009 results, we remain confident that our new product offerings and established infrastructure will yield good results in the future, chief executive Allen Bohbot said.

Sunrise Diamonds has agreed to take a 20% stake in a joint venture interested in two kimberlite targets located in central Finland.

It has signed a Letter of Agreement with private diamond explorer Mantle Diamonds dig close to the Lahtojoki kimberlite pipe in the Kaavi region.

Oxus Gold said the Royal Bank of Scotland will arrange a limited recourse senior debt facility of approximately $150m to finance its Amantaytau Goldfields venture in Uzbekistan.

Interactive Prospect Targeting said recent takeover discussions with various interested parties have now terminated.

• News Channel