Bentley vows to turn round Cable & Wireless

Mr Bentley’s experience as managing director of British Gas from 2007 to 2013 should stand him in good stead at CWC, a company in the midst of restructuring. He turned around the fortunes of the struggling domestic gas giant by increasing sales by more than 30 per cent to £14bn and increasing profits from £300m to £1.1bn. Both industries demand smooth customer service, involve ageing and formerly government-owned infrastructure, and require large programmes of cyclical investment.

Mr Bentley can also draw upon his prior international experience at Diageo and BP, where he held senior executive roles, while trying to reposition CWC as the leading provider of mobile, fixed-line and broadband services in Latin America and the Caribbean. He says his priorities will be "driving top-line growth, continuing cost discipline, increasing returns on capital and improving customer service".

Since his appointment was announced in October, CWC’s share price has risen by more than a third to 55p. Admittedly, we’ve been wrong footed by the recent price action but the shares continue to appear fully valued, trading on 26 times current year earnings (falling to 22 next year) against a peer group average of 21. Hold.

Keep an eye on Blinkx

The two top executives of searchable online video group Blinkx (BLNX) have sold around £500,000 worth of shares, but investors needn’t be overly concerned. Founder and chief strategy officer Suranga Chandratillake, and chief executive officer Subhransu Mukherjee, both sold the shares to cover tax obligations that arose due to the vesting of restricted stock units under a remuneration scheme for senior executives.

Blinkx appears to be back on track after a volatile 2011 and 2012, when it had difficulties integrating two major acquisitions and profits slumped. Last year saw Blinx’s fortunes revived as revenues from advertising soared afresh, costs were kept under control and underlying operating profits rocketed. Its share price has also perked up from 50p to an all-time high of 201p this month.

Having learned a few valuable lessons, Blinkx decided to acquire Rhythm NewMedia in December for $65m (£40m) to complement its mobile video advertising offering. It paid using a mix of shares and cash following a £39m placing at 195p.

We can’t argue with the founders or investors for taking a bit of money off the table here; on 40 times forward earnings estimates, Blinkx’s valuation certainly looks full. But multi-platform online video advertising continues to be the one of the hottest growth markets around and Mr Mukherjee still holds 2.1m unexercised Blinkx share options and 550,000 restricted stock units, so his interests should be aligned with shareholders. Buy.

For commentary on the major share sale at Thalassa, read Simon Thompson's column.

* sold to cover certain tax obligations that arose due to the vesting of shares † spouse/related party

Key to abbreviations: ch = chairman; ce = chief executive; cfo = chief financial officer; fd = finance director; coo = chief operating officer; cs =company secretary; md = managing director