The Birmingham office of WH Ireland has advised on the £2 million AIM flotation of Zest Group, a music company aiming to be number one.

Zest has already completed the base-level recordings for a new female artist for an album, which is expected to be finalised soon and launched later in the year.

It has also agreed to acquire the current and future publishing copyrights for two song writers from Santi Music, in addition to the master recordings of an established reggae artist.

Tim Cofman, director of WH Ireland, who worked on the flotation, said: "The music industry is experiencing a period of consolidation as highlighted by the recent merger of Sony Music with Bertelsmann Music Group as well as the disposal by Time Warner of its music arm.

"These conditions provide the ideal opportunity for businesses with experienced management teams, such as Zest, to acquire publishing catalogues, production companies and independent record labels at a competitive cost."

The AIM admission of Zest is the seventh AIM flotation that WH Ireland has advised on in 2005.