Key points from the Budget: New National Living Wage of £7.20 for all workers aged over 25 to be introduced next April and to reach £9 an hour by 2020 Cuts in National Insurance for small firms to help them pay for living wage More devolution to Northern cities...
Confidence among West of England firms remains fragile despite a period of strong growth, according to the latest survey by Business West. The organisation, which runs Bristol Chamber of Commerce and the Bristol Initiative, said the findings showed the need for the new Government to act to encourage sustainable...
The world’s first solar hybrid balloon, now under development in Bristol, will make its maiden flight at the city’s iconic international balloon fiesta next month. The innovative balloon, produced by Cameron Balloons, was showcased this week to coincide with the announcement of St Austell Brewery as the official sponsor...
Business West, the organisation behind Bristol Chamber of Commerce, has called on the Chancellor to strike a balance between eliminating the deficit and stimulating growth in next week’s Budget. And while George Osborne is likely to focus on the cuts and reform, he must also concentrate on infrastructure, boosting...
Bristol-based entrepreneur Rob Law, the inventor of the Trunki ride-on child’s suitcase, has received an honorary degree from the University of Bath. Rob – who was famously turned down on Dragons’ Den – received his Doctor of Engineering degree in recognition of his exceptional achievements, including building a company...
Alderley Systems, the South Gloucestershire firm supplying metering services to the global oil and gas industry, has renewed a major contract with the operator of one of the world’s largest onshore fields. Under the three-year contract, the firm will be responsible for maintenance at sections of the Karachaganak Processing...
Last week’s ninth annual Institute of Directors Director of the Year awards, staged at Bordeaux Quay, Bristol. Photos by Clint Randall www.pixelprphotography.co.uk All the awards winners with ceremony host Laura Rawlings, centre Director of the Year Award winner Julie Moore with ceremony host Laura Rawlings and Mark Bennett of...
Three of the Bristol area’s most successful firms will go head to head next week in the South West’s most prestigious business competition. Global financial administration company Computershare Investors Services, Loungers – the business behind the successful café/bar chain – and Chipping Sodbury-based Ian Williams, one of the UK’s...
The funding holding arm of regional alternative finance lender South West Investment Group (SWIG) has appointed Malachy McReynolds as its new chairman. Malachy, pictured, who spent 12 years as managing director of Bristol-based chocolate manufacturer Elizabeth Shaw, joined the SWIG board in January. He takes over as chairman from...
More than 80% of West of England firms fear leaving the EU would pose a risk to the UK economy, according to results of a survey among nearly 1,000 businesses in the region. Two thirds also believe it would be bad for their own business. The survey by Business...
The founder of international microfinance charity Deki, the CEO of Opus Recruitment Services and the boss of family-owned Jeff Way Electrical Services were among the Bristol winners at this year’s coveted South West Director of the Year Awards. Deki director Vashti Seth secured the South West Third Sector Director...
By Barbara Davies, chief executive, West of England Local Enterprise Partnership. Our newly refreshed LEP board met for the first time on June 17. There are some new faces following the local elections and a business-led selection process. Great news that Colin Skellett has been reappointed as chair of...
Accountancy and investment management group Smith & Williamson has launched a free tax calculator to enable businesses to work out how much tax they could be saving on their research and development (R&D) costs. The online tool has been set up in the light of research suggesting that thousands...
