Abcam CEO builds family holding

Protein research tool developer Abcam on Thursday said that the wife of its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Jonathan Milner, purchased 18,000 shares. Roza Gounari spent 373p a share for a total of £67,140. The deal takes Milner's stake in the group to around 13.8% of the issued share capital. Just over a month ago the AIM-listed firm posted half-year results which showed sales growth slowing markedly as global research funding remained depressed. The life science research support services company took total revenues of £61.9m in the six months to end-December, growth of 8.1% that compared badly with the 28.3% increase seen in the corresponding period and the 25% growth enjoyed in the full year 2013 results. America's growth of 7.2% was a robust performance but was offset by weaker growth in Japan.With gross margin improving to 70.9%, adjusted operating profit increased by 4.8% to £22.8m.Top Director BuysAbcam (ABC) Director name: Mr Jonathan Simon MilnerAmount purchased: 18,000 @ 373.00p Value: £67,140Gaming Realms (GMR) Director name: Mr Michael BuckleyAmount purchased: 135,000 @ 21.00p Value: £28,350Gaming Realms (GMR) Director name: Mr Michael BuckleyAmount purchased: 65,000 @ 21.50p Value: £13,975Gaming Realms (GMR) Director name: Mr Michael BuckleyAmount purchased: 61,668 @ 21.50p Value: £13,259Synety Group (SNTY) Director name: Mr Paul Williams Amount purchased: 3,500 @ 328.45p Value: £11,496Top Director SellsJardine Matheson Holdings Ltd (Singapore Reg) (JAR) Director name: Mr E P K WeatherallAmount sold: 50,000 @ $62.15 Value: $3,107,705Digital Globe Services Ltd (DI) (DGS) Director name: Mr Anthony WatsonAmount sold: 30,762 @ 192.00p Value: £59,063InterQuest Group (ITQ) Director name: Mr Gary AshworthAmount sold: 25,000 @ 100.00p Value: £25,000NR