Business briefs: Shell | Johnston Press | Wood Group

The plan by Braeburn Estates, a joint venture of Canary Wharf Group and Qatari Diar, allows for be open public areas, while the 27-storey Shell Centre Tower will remain at the heart of the development and will continue to be owned and occupied by the oil firm.

John Clark Motors in £1.4m expansion

The John Clark Motor Group has invested £1.4 million in building a dealership complex for its Seat and Skoda franchises in Aberdeen.

Four jobs have been created at the site on the city’s Craigshaw Road, previously occupied by window manufacturer AC Yule, with Mark Hodgson also joining the group as dealer principal from a BMW franchise in Carlisle.

The new dealership, one of the largest combined Seat and Skoda facilities in the UK, includes showrooms for 17 new cars, space for 50 used cars and a ten-bay workshop.

Board change at Johnston Press

Newspaper and website publisher Johnston Press yesterday said it will being former Virgin Media and News International man Stephen van Rooyen on to its board.

Van Rooyen, who more recently has held a number of senior roles at Sky, will replace Geoff Iddison as a non-executive director in June.

Ian Russell, chairman of The Scotsman-owner, said: “Stephen has extensive experience and I am confident that his knowledge and perspective will add significant value to the business. We look forward to working with him.”

Wood Group buys software business

Wood Group has bought a Chester-based software firm specialising in oil well management as it seeks to bolster its consultancy business.

The Aberdeen-based energy services giant said Intetech, which had revenues of around £2.8 million last year, could provide customers with “real time” active management of oil and gas wells.

Steve Wayman, chief executive of Wood Group’s Kenny division, said the acquisition was strategically important, strengthening the group’s software portfolio and fitting in with its consultancy services business.