News in brief: Bosses grab £65m as insurer is sold, Marston’s froths up in summer warmth, Thorntons eyes a sweet Christmas

Directors and top executives at specialist insurance group Abbey Protection will share £65 million between after accepting a takeover bid from US-based rival Markel.

The bid of 115p a share is actually below last night’s closing price of 119.5p. Chief executive Colin Davison and managing director Chris Ward will each collect £18 million while Liz Grace, who runs the tax division, will pick up £12 million.

The warm summer helped pubs and brewing group Marston’s recover much of the damage done by the cold, wet winter with sales from its top outlets rising by 2.2% in the year just ended.

With local ales ranging from Jennings to Banks’s, Marston’s beer volumes were up 6% against a market that fell by 3%. Bottled ale sales rose by a spectacular 19% led by Hobgoblin and an Ashes-boosted Pedigree.

Chocolate maker Thorntons is looking forward to Christmas.

Sales through supermarkets and other shops increased by 11% to £23.8 million in the last 13 weeks while sales through its own shops declined 6% to £23.2 million as it closed another eight outlets. Chief executive Jonathan Hart today said the company has “an exciting Christmas offer” and strong orders from other retailers.