Perspective Financial Group has acquired Gateshead-based Vivienne Shepherd in its first acquisition of 2012. The Wilmslow-based IFA group's Newcastle office Rutherford Wilkinson has acquired the business. One member of staff is to be transferred to Rutherford Wilkinson as part of the deal and owner-manager Vivienne Shepherd will step down but remain involved in introducing clients.

Commercial property consultancy Dunlop Heywood has opened new offices in Manchester and Leeds after securing new clients and increasing turnover in 2011. The firm has recruited six members of staff for its Manchester office.

Virtual golf game designer Net60Six, based in Leeds, is expanding after securing £500,000 investment from the Finance for Business North East Technology Fund, managed by the IP Group, and £230,000 from a number of business angel investors. Net60Six, which offers players the chance to play 60 shots of golf in 60 minutes on a specially-designed course for driving ranges, is already installed at six driving ranges based in Yorkshire and the Midlands and the company is planning to use the Finance for Business North East Technology Fund investment to fund a roll-out of its innovative creation across the UK, starting in the North East. The business plans to open an office in Newcastle and its first course in the region in 2012. It will create eight new jobs in 2012, increasing the number of staff to 11, and will grow to employ 20 people by 2014. Craig Higgs is Managing Director of Net60Six.

Petards Group, a supplier of security, surveillance and engineering solutions full-year pre-tax profit will beat market forecasts as its year and year revenue grew 5% as a result of better margins, overhead savings and lower financing costs. The companys net debt reduced from £1.8m in June 2011 to £1.5m in December 2011.