Bristol specialist insurance broker Brightside’s new chief executive took up his post today with a pledge to maintain the group’s rapid growth. Paul Williams joins from Towergate, Europe’s largest independently-owned insurance intermediary, where he was a director on its retail executive committee responsible for all insurer and market relationships...
Bristol businesses will next week get a rare chance to meet trade experts from the British Embassies in the US and Canada to explore transatlantic export opportunities on a one-to-one basis. The event, at the Mercure Holland House Hotel in Redcliffe Hill, on Wednesday, March 5, is the latest...
West firms of all sizes are being urged to enter their directors in the region’s top award scheme recognising excellence and enterprise in the boardroom. The South West Institute of Directors (IoD) Awards 2014 celebrate the achievements of the region’s outstanding business people and their contribution to the its...
Bristol entrepreneurs who want to turn their business ideas into reality can get advice when a free roadshow backed by Sir Richard Branson stops off in the city. The Virgin StartUp HotHouse tour is traveling across the country over the next few months and will arrive at Leigh Court...
Commercial property owners and investors could lose out on hundreds of thousands of pounds of tax relief under new capital allowance rules that come into force in April. The changes will restrict an owner’s ability to claim relief on the cost of the fixtures and fittings of a commercial...
West firms are being urged to tell the Treasury how it could change the business tax system to make the UK more competitive. The Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) is seeking ideas for an initial report on tax simplification to be presented ahead of next month’s Budget. Andy Richens,...
Inflation in January fell to 1.9%, official figures released this morning show – the first time it has been below the important 2% level since 2009. The rate, as measured by the consumer prices index, was down from 2% in December. The surprise fall – most economist expected it...
Bristol-based property refurbishment and maintenance firm Matrix Solutions UK has gone into administration after a significant drop in business. Accountancy firm Grant Thornton, which has been appointed administrator, today warned of ‘numerous’ redundancies among Matrix’s 30-strong workforce. Grant Thornton said it waspotentially looking to sell the firm, which dealt...
HSBC has appointed James Jordan as area commercial director for Bristol and Bath with responsibility for supporting businesses turning over between £500,000 and £30m. The appointment marks a return to the region for James, who has spent the past two years as area commercial director for HSBC in Central London. James, pictured, has spent his...
Bristol’s Aardman Animations have teamed up with NatWest to launch a children’s smartphone and tablet app to help them learn about saving money. The free-to-download app, the first produced by a UK bank, includes a game that allows the player to be a boy or girl pig character running...
Bristol corporate advisers have helped the management team of a Wiltshire specialist charity fundraising firm complete their acquisition of the business. Chippenham-based The Woods Group stages raffles, weekly lotteries, response handling and fulfilment for major clients such as the RSPB, National Trust and Motability. The buyout, financial details of...
Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, the division that supports mid-market businesses and large corporates, has further strengthened its West operation with the appointment of Daniel Tregunna as relationship director. Daniel will be part of the bank’s 25-strong Bristol-based mid-markets team, which supports a wide network of businesses with annual turnover...
Innovative West businesses working on pioneering research and development projects can apply for financial help through a £4m innovation fund launched today by the University of the West of England (UWE). Grants of between £25,000 and £150,000 will be available to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as...
