Confidence among South West businesses continued to rise in December after a surprise recovery the previous month – with firms ending the year in a rare upbeat mood. The latest monthly Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking reveals firms reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, up 15 percentage points at 34%. Taken...
The boss of the South West’s largest business group has urged firms to ‘stay positive’ this year in the face of huge challenges. Phil Smith, managing director of Business West – which runs Bristol Chamber of Commerce – also said companies could benefit in 2023 by being based in...
Improving environmental credentials isn’t just good for the planet – employees increasingly expect it from their employers too. Most of us recognise the important of going green through recycling and better energy use. And if concern for the planet isn’t enough to affect your business, then perhaps employee expectations...
Bristol-based military jet developer AERALIS has been awarded a £9m contract by the Ministry of Defence to use its pioneering digital engineering support services on the next generation of fighter jets. The contract, under the new Global Combat Air Programme, will allow the MoD to access information that AERALIS...
Businesses in the West of England are now far more concerned about their prospects than they were at the height of the pandemic, while an all-time low of just 6% have confidence in the UK’s economic outlook. Three quarters of companies taking part in the latest quarterly economic survey...
Mental health expert Jennifer Burke has joined a new team at the top of outsourced small and medium-sized business adviser The Health & Safety (The H&S) Dept. Jennifer has worked in mental health for more than a decade, first in family support then personal coaching and cadet training. She is...
Manufacturers in the South West face a tough year ahead with the sector expected to contract in the face of a deteriorating economic outlook at home and abroad, according to a new survey. The region’s manufacturing businesses are ending 2022 on a low, having suffered falling orders and a...
Bristol businesses were today urged to support an initiative that rehabilitates young men in prison as a key way of tackling crime in the region. Key4Life has an unrivalled track record for working with inmates or young men risk of going to prison, providing real solutions to help reduce youth...
Bristol specialist food ingredients manufacturer TasteTech has secured crucial storage space after growing by 50% over the past two years. The firm, a creative pioneer in the field of microencapsulation – which allows food manufacturers to increase the shelf life and control the release of flavours and ingredients in...
Two major initiatives that build on Bristol’s already significant role in developing zero-emission hydrogen-powered aircraft have been announced, including making Bristol Airport the UK’s first largescale aviation hydrogen hub. The airport is partnering with European aerospace giant Airbus – which has its main wing design plant at Filton –...
Long-standing Bristol design consultancy Kinneir Dufort has been acquired by a global medical device and contract manufacturing group in a move that has created a European research and development centre of excellence. Founded in 1977, Kinneir Dufort has grown into one of the UK’s leading innovation and design consultancies,...
Outsourced human resources consultancy The HR Dept is partnering with small business support specialist Cool Ventures to provide free advice under a regional business initiative. The scheme, which runs until next March, provides a range of free business support to SMEs and individuals based in South Gloucestershire and Bath & North...
A Bristol-based defence project aiming to revolutionise the way air products and technologies are developed for air combat in the future has earned two major awards for aerospace giant Rolls-Royce. Project Orpheus, which is underway at Rolls-Royce’s Filton plant, designed, built and run an innovative small engine concept, pictured,...
