SOUTHAMPTON'S LA Corporate Finance has been instrumental in the £5m management buy out of valve suppliers HS Pipequipment.

The Newbury company supplies valves to major contractors mainly for use in oil and gas fields and pipelines.

The deal was financed by Barclays Bank on the back of significant new orders for oil fields in Kazakhstan, Russia and the Forties Fields in the North Sea.

Michael Barcia, a director of LA Corporate Finance, advised management.

He said: "HSP has experienced a real step change in their business. Management have an excellent opportunity to continue their growth over the next few years."