Chipping Sodbury-based financial consultancy Jelf has continued its policy of establishing a network of offices around the M25 by acquiring a general insurance broker in Hertfordshire. Libra Insurance Services, based in Bushey, has particular strength in the SME commercial insurance sector. It was established in 1974 and has been...
Retail giant Marks & Spencer has appointed Neighbourly, the innovative Bristol-based internet platform, to support its trailblazing Spark Something Good campaign. Neighbourly connects community projects with companies wishing to make a difference. The nationwide project, launched last week by Joanna Lumley and M&S chief executive Marc Bolland, aims to...
NatWest has expanded its team of specialist relationship managers in Bristol by adding a role focusing on the not-for-profit sector. Andrea Maddalena, pictured, who has worked for the bank for 14 years, has been appointed to the role of relationship director specialising in supporting not-for-profit organisations including charities and...
More than half the businesses in the South West fear they will not be able to recruit enough high-skilled workers for their future success, according to an alarming new report. The annual CBI/Pearson Education and Skills Survey – which gauged the views of 101 firms across the region –...
More than two thirds of small and medium-sized in the South West expect to take on more staff over the next 12 months – more than any other UK region – according to a new survey. Some 59% of firms in the region also believe that permanent, skilled staff...
Stopping the brain drain of young talent from the West of England to London is among the priorities of the newly appointed regional president of ICAEW, the professional organisation for chartered accountants. Rick Sturge, pictured, has said he will work closely with regional members of ICAEW during his 12 months...
Bristol-based insurance group SunLife is to launch a new division offering pet insurance and home cover as it continues to refocus following a rebrand last year. The firm, one of the UK’s biggest direct financial services companies, has appointed senior industry figure Simon Stanney as general insurance director to...
Staff at long-standing Bristol stockbroking firm Rowan Dartington are to share some of the proceeds of its multi-million pound sale to FTSE 100 wealth manager St James’s Place (SJP). SJP is to pay £19m once the acquisition gains regulatory approval with a further maximum potential future payment of £15.2m...
The managing director of fast-growing Bristol-based R&D tax credit consultancy ForrestBrown, and app consultancy and developer Mubaloo are in the running for prestigious national entrepreneur awards. Simon Brown, who founded the business in 2013, is shortlisted in the Duke of York New Entrepreneur of the Year category at the Lloyds...
Bristol’s ambitions to attract more inward investment and boost exports were highlighted this week with the visit of trade and investment minister Lord Francis Maude. Lord Maude met a cross section of small and medium-sized firms and recent investors in the city along with representatives from aerospace giant Rolls-Royce,...
Neighbourly, the innovative Bristol-based internet platform that connects community projects with companies wishing to make a difference, has raised more than £1m from angel investors. The funds – its third round of investment – will be used to grow the firm’s engineering team and accelerate its development and international...
Accountancy and investment management group Smith & Williamson has appointed Geralyn Meehan as a senior consultant in its Bristol-based HR Consulting team. With more than 16 years’ experience as an HR practitioner, Geralyn, pictured, brings her specialist knowledge of employee relations, HR strategy and organisational development to Smith &...
Royal West of England Academy (RWA), Bristol’s original public gallery and regional centre of arts excellence, is invigorating its offer to businesses that are seeking to promote their brand and services, or are looking for a distinctive venue for hosting corporate events. “Great art continuously inspires. Great business leaders...
