Staff Reporters

URBAN planning advisory firm UrbisJHD is preparing to expand into Western Australia from June 1 via a merger with urban and landscape design practice TRACT (WA).

Jon Biesse, previously with Futuris Corp in Adelaide, has joined Argonaut Capital as director of its investment banking team.

Department of the Attorney General - Westralia Square, Perth - fit out - Topline Partitions & Interiors Pty Ltd - $1.4 million

Citigroup Global Markets Australia Pty Ltd became a substantial shareholder with a relevant interest of 22,015,509 ordinary shares (5.32%).

JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its affiliates increased its relevant interest from 3,930,000 ordinary shares (5.17%) to 6,680,000 ordinary shares (7.66%) .

Eley Griffiths Group changed its relevant interest from 10,286,423 ordinary shares (7.55%) to 14,215,170 ordinary shares (6.3%).

Annual General Meeting will be held at 24 Outram Street, West Perth, on Thursday, 31 May 2007 at 3.00pm.

WHILE events promoter John Webb is pursued by Australia's corporate regulators, there was a rare bit of positive news for a business he once ran.

Michael Blackman has joined insurance broking firm Marsh Pty Ltd as managing principal. Mr Blackman was previously a divisional manager with AON.

ESTABLISHED in 1987, Impact Communications is a full service public relations firm managed by director Les Buchanan.

Barclays Global Investors Australia Ltd ceased to be a substantial shareholder.

Anvil Mining Ltd became a substantial shareholder with a relevant interest of 60,000,000 ordinary shares (12.91%).

Vernon Charles Wheatley changed its relevant interest from 54,376,322 ordinary shares (38.84%) to 61,276,322 ordinary shares (33.74%).

Has arranged a placement of 20 million Midwest shares at $1.46 per share to raise $29.2 million.

General Meeting will be held at The Celtic Club, 48 Ord Street, West Perth, on Thursday, 14 June 2007 at 3.00 pm

I READ your recent ‘Business & the Environment' feature (WA Business News, May 10) and in particular the article ‘No neutral stance on emissions' and support you for bringing this important issue to t

Michelle Carr has been promoted to account director of market research and consulting firm Synovate.

ESTABLISHED in 1987, Impact Communications is a full service public relations firm managed by director Les Buchanan.

Smaforetagsinvest AB ceased to be a substantial shareholder.

David Netherway became a substantial shareholder with a relevant interest of 3,022,996 ordinary shares (9.18%).

Commonwealth Bank of Australia decreased its relevant interest from 12,229,000 ordinary shares (7.65%) to 10,194,510 ordinary shares (6.43%).

Announce that $4 million has been raised by the placement of 7,476,635 shares at a price of 53.5 cents per share to Cranport Hedge Fund and to CK Locke and Partners of Perth.

NORTHBRIDGE-BASED VDM Group Ltd is back on the acquisitions trail, announcing plans to acquire three Western Australia-based businesses for $87.5 million in cash and scrip during the 2007-08 financial

THE Nexus 2007 South West Open is the region's longest running open golf championship tournament and will take place this year between May 31 and June 4.

Due to recent expansion, Interwest – The Retirement Planners has appointed three new financial planners. Ben Walker , Alistair Ash and Nathan Hassett all have expertise in retirement planning,

Fiona Stanley Hospital - planning and management consultancy services: Clifton Coney Group Pty Ltd - $101,640.00

Evolution Master Fund Ltd, Segregated Portfolio M, Evolution Capital Management LLC became a substantial shareholder with a relevant interest of 20,015,509 ordinary shares (5.3217%).

M&G Investment Management Ltd, M&G Ltd, M&G Group Ltd, Prudential plc increased its relevant interest from 37,982,411 ordinary shares (16.3%) to 39,025,362 ordinary shares (16.75%).

JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its affiliates changed its relevant interest from 6,680,000 ordinary shares (7.66%) to 7,630,000 ordinary shares (6.21%).

General Meeting will be held at The Park Business Centre, 45 Ventnor Avenue, West Perth, on 5 June 2007 at 10.00am.

CLOUGH Ltd has appointed John Smith to take over from John Cooper as chief executive on August 1, making him the company's third in less than seven months.

LORRAINE Firth, who established luxury resort Merribrook Retreat in Margaret River 21 years ago this month, remembers when corporate getaways were all about abseiling and the region offered very littl