The Western Gateway, the pan-regional partnership that stretches from Swindon to Swansea via Bristol, has appointed a new chair as it focuses its efforts on net zero and creating jobs and economic growth. Sarah Williams-Gardener, former CEO of FinTech Wales, takes over from Bristol-based Katherine Bennett CBE, who was...
Bristol is to be promoted as a centre of excellence for AI following the launch of a new group with a mission to ensure that the rapid-growth advanced automation tech benefits the whole of society. Called AI West, the representative group has a clear purpose to educate, collaborate and communicate around...
Phil Smith, managing director of Business West, the organisation behind Bristol Chamber of Commerce, said while the Budget offered a number of initiatives that were likely to benefit the region’s businesses it lacked any measure that would tackle big issues such as transport, housing and infrastructure. “The creative and...
West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris, pictured, said “hard-pressed” West of England residents and businesses were still struggling with 70-year high levels of tax under the Conservatives, “despite today’s desperate attempts from the Chancellor to pretend otherwise”. The Labour leader of the West of England Combined Authority (WECA),...
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has delivered his Spring Budget. The main points were: The Chancellor said growth had been higher in the UK since 2010 than every other European economy. But future growth would not come from mass immigration. He promised a Budget for future growth. Inflation had been halved to...
Bristol-based medical simulator company Limbs & Things has launched the most ambitious and complex product in its 30-year history – a device to help medical practitioners better recognise and diagnose more than 30 chronic conditions and life-threatening emergencies Called CaRE (Cardiovascular & Respiratory Examination), the ground-breaking simulator, pictured, is...
With a number of key employment law changes taking place this year - many of them effective from next month – Barcan+Kirby employment partner Samantha Castle summarises what’s changing. Redundancy protection Currently, employees who are on maternity, shared parental or adoption leave and facing redundancy, have first access to...
Bristol’s long-running International Balloon Fiesta is seeking corporate sponsors from the city’s business community as its organisers commit to becoming more financially sustainable amid soaring costs. The not-for-profit organisation behind the annual free-to-attend event, which injects millions of pounds into the local economy every August and has become synonymous...
More than 300 jobs were created last year by businesses that are part of SETsquared Bristol, the acclaimed University of Bristol-backed tech incubator. Its member companies also generated £45m-plus in revenues, raised a combined £50m in funding – up from £33m in 2022 despite the tougher investment market –...
An equity-free accelerator scheme launched last year by Bristol deep-tech ecosystem Science Creates is aiming to create more innovative businesses following the launch of its second programme. Science Creates Accelerate seeks to find the best fit between companies and investors, intentionally providing deep-tech founders and entrepreneurs with the best opportunity...
An awards scheme that champions the West of England’s best bee-friendly businesses is back – with some of the region’s biggest firms promising to create some extra buzz around it. The first Bee Bold Awards were held last year to champion the region’s pollinator champions. Winners included a digital tech...
Thousands of UK businesses have already switched to solar PV to reduce their carbon emissions and cut costs – are you missing out? For the third webinar in its Power to Your Business series, Solarsense will next week bring together a panel of industry leaders and sustainability experts to...
Annual revenues at renewable energy specialist Solarsense have powered ahead by 40% as it enjoyed its busiest-ever year. The PV system design and installation firm, which was launched 30 years ago – well ahead of the renewable energy curve – said it had benefited from an eagerness among organisations...
