Bristol semiconductor firm Graphcore, whose products are driving the machine-learning and artificial intelligence (AI) revolution, is predicting more global growth after banking another multi-million dollar investment. The latest $150m – from a group of major finance firms – takes the total invested in Graphcore since its launch in 2016...
Fast-growing portable traffic equipment firm SRL Traffic Systems has appointed two Bristol-based professional advisory firms as its national expansion drive continues. The appointment of multi-disciplinary surveying firm Vickery Holman and law firm Temple Bright follows SRL’s management buyout last year, which was backed by £24m from private equity firm...
Bristol’s wellbeing economics organisation Happy City has changed its name to the Centre for Thriving Places to reflect the fact that its innovative approach to helping transform society is now becoming increasingly mainstream. Happy City was launched in Bristol 10 years ago with the pioneering aim of demonstrating that...
Bristol-based specialist energy investment company Thrive Renewables is to invest up to £6.5m in the UK’s first geothermal electricity power plant. The plant in Cornwall aims to supply around 3MW of electricity to the National Grid and up to 12MW of renewable heat for local use. Thrive’s funding will enable...
The University of Bristol has stopped investing in all fossil fuel companies and joined calls for all UK other universities to do the same. The move follows a pledge made two years ago by the university to change its investment policies. Last year it also became the first in...
South West accountancy group PKF Francis Clark, which last year opened its first office in Bristol, has appointed experienced professional services marketer Mandy Reynolds as its new director of marketing. Mandy, pictured with PKF Francis Clark managing partner Andrew Richards, has joined from regional law firm Stephens Scown, where...
Bristol creative design agency Fiasco Design has bought is own head office and opened a co-working space for creatives using a six-figure finance package from Barclays. The agency, which has experienced sustained growth over the past nine years, was supported in its acquisition of the 4,800 sq ft of...
Community organisations in parts of Bristol and South Gloucestershire are being given an opportunity to benefit from a special fund launched this month by city law firm Barcan+Kirby. The Barcan+Kirby Community Fund will give monetary support to groups and individuals working for the benefit of the communities in areas...
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) met last month to decide on the appropriate level of bank rate – the official base rate of interest in the UK. The MPC also updated its forecasts for economic growth and inflation – these show UK economic growth picking up...
Bristol’s burgeoning fintech businesses are helping to make the West of England the UK’s leading hotspot for the fast-growing sector, according to a new report published this week. It shows that the Bristol and Bath area has one of the strongest fintech ecosystems in the country, with a high number...
The CBI has urged the Chancellor to take bold action on skills, innovation and infrastructure in his Budget to ‘power-up’ the South West’s economy. The seven-point plea was made before Sajid Javid resigned as Chancellor and was replaced by Rishi Sunak – throwing into doubt whether the Budget will...
Investment specialist Dan Whitewood has joined the Bristol headquarters of TLT as a legal director, continuing the national law firm’s UK-wide expansion of its corporate team. Dan, pictured, joins from Simmons & Simmons’ Bristol office, where he was an associate. He brings a wealth of early-stage and fast-growth investment...
The Bristol publishing company behind a UK-wide series of eating-out guides is being wound up after hitting a cashflow crisis and failing to compete against digital-only competitors. Food & Drink Guides Ltd, based in Victoria Street, ceased trading five days before Christmas when all its 20-plus staff were made...
