Saudi businesswoman opens WPP account

A round-up of the biggest director buys today so far.

Non-executive director Lubna Olayan has opened her account in the advertising and marketing giant WPP.

The Saudi businesswoman took 10,000 shares 738.5p a pop, paying a total of £73,850.

Olayan, the daughter of entrepreneur Sulaiman Olayan, has been with WPP since 2005.

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In an update last week, WPP, the world's biggest company of its kind, said it saw a sharp rise in revenues in the first four months of 2011.

The US continues to see strong growth and the UK is doing well in spite of the economic pressures, according to the company.

"The world continues to move at very different speeds, with revenues in the BRICs countries up over 17% in the first four months, and the Next 11 up almost 14%, showing the strongest growth, followed by the United States and the United Kingdom," the company said.

"In Western Continental Europe, France, Spain and Belgium remain the most challenging, with Japan the only market in Asia not showing growth."

Top Director Buys

WPP (WPP) Director name: Ms Lubna S OlayanAmount purchased: 10,000 @ 738.50p Value: £73,850

Cookson Group (CKSN) Director name: Mr Mike ButterworthAmount purchased: 3,221 @ 675.97p Value: £21,773

Macfarlane Group (MACF) Director name: Mr Archibald S HunterAmount purchased: 50,000 @ 24.00p Value: £12,000

Top Director Sells

Cairn Energy (CNE) Director name: Dr Mike J WattsAmount sold: 409,931 @ 427.82p Value: £1,753,767

Cairn Energy (CNE) Director name: Sir Bill GammellAmount sold: 374,794 @ 427.82p Value: £1,603,444

Cairn Energy (CNE) Director name: Mr Simon ThomsonAmount sold: 292,807 @ 427.82p Value: £1,252,687

Cairn Energy (CNE) Director name: Mr Malcolm ThomsAmount sold: 234,246 @ 427.82p Value: £1,002,151

Cairn Energy (CNE) Director name: Mr Philip TracyAmount sold: 234,246 @ 427.82p Value: £1,002,151

Pearson (PSON) Director name: Ms Marjorie ScardinoAmount sold: 57,338 @ 1,137.00p Value: £651,933

Pearson (PSON) Director name: Mr Robin FreestoneAmount sold: 22,610 @ 1,137.00p Value: £257,076

Avon Rubber (AVON) Director name: Rt Hon Sir Richard NeedhamAmount sold: 32,146 @ 310.30p Value: £99,749