Tax benefits related to donations of art and other objects of value are to rise significantly under a plan outlined in the last Budget, say chartered accountants Saffrey Champness. Richard Cartwright, a partner in Saffery Champness’ Bristol office, explained: “Under the current Acceptance in Lieu scheme, donors are encouraged to...
Bristol-based Nighthawk, the US focused oil development and production company which moved its registered office to London earlier this month, has announced the appointment of Charles (Chuck) H. Wilson as chief operating officer. Chuck, who takes up his new role on August 1, is US oil industry veteran with...
Local businesses are being given the opportunity to raise their profile with a unique opportunity – sponsoring Bristol’s roller derby league. Roller derby is a fast, full-contact, women-only sport played on quad skates. It combines athleticism – players train for up to eight hours per week – with a...
The South West office of PKF Accountants & business advisers has promoted Laura Shaw to partner. Laura has been a director of corporate finance for four years and has led the team providing lead advisory and transaction services to vendors and purchasers. On becoming a partner, Laura said: “I...
The number of businesses going bust in the South West dropped from 241 to 196 in the second quarter of 2011 – a decline of 19%, according to analysis by business advisory firm PwC. But when compared with the second quarter of last year, the level of insolvencies was...
Optimism among owner-managed businesses in the South West is back on the agenda, according to the 2011 Baker Tilly Owner-Managed Business (OMB) survey. It has uncovered a year-on-year rise in positive sentiments from 40% to 75% of respondents. However, business owners are less bullish about profitability. Although 60% expect an increase in sales...
Entrepreneur Jamie Murray Wells, founder of online retailer Glasses Direct, has shared the five lessons he has learnt from launching his successful business seven years ago. Speaking at the South West Entrepreneurs Forum in Bristol, Jamie, who launched Glasses Direct while a student at the University of the West...
Professional services firm KPMG has issued a health warning to companies contemplating trade in emerging markets such as China. It says that changes to the tax regime in China earlier this year mean that getting the right structure for a business venture in place from the outset is essential. Tony...
The University of Bristol has officially taken possession of its National Composites Centre (NCC) just 20 months after the city was selected as the location for the ground-breaking development. The NCC, based at SPark – the fledgling Bristol and Bath Science Park – will draw on established links to...
Companies weighing up international expansion are invited to a seminar to assess their capabilities before taking the next step. Staged by accountants Smith & Williamson (formerly Solomon Hare) in conjunction with Quickstart Global, Vistage International and Travelex, it will include a workshop led by Neal Gandhi, serial entrepreneur, author...
Companies weighing up international expansion are invited to a workshop in Bristol to assess their capabilities before taking the next step. The invitation has been issued by Smith & Williamson (formerly Solomon Hare) in conjunction with Quickstart Global, Vistage International and Travelex. The event, which is set to take...
Arron Banks, chief executive and co-founder of Brightside - the 2011 West of England Business of the Year – has collected £2m from the sale of 8m shares at 25p each. But he still holds nearly 70m, equivalent to more than 15% of the company. Mr Banks, along with commercial director...
Alterian, the troubled Bristol-based marketing software group, says revenue generated since April 1 is “in line with management plans”, signalling a turnaround in its fortunes. The group has had a torrid few months with chief executive David Eldridge resigning in April following a pre-tax loss of £4.29m. That triggered...
