The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has again pegged interest rates at 0.5% – maintaining them at the same historic low rate since March 2009. Some economists predict the Bank may be forced to keep rates at this level until 2013 to avoid derailing any recovery in...
The rebirth of Bristol brokers and wealth managers Rowan Dartington is continuing with the recruitment of Guy Stephens as chief investment officer and Tim Cockerill as head of collectives research. Earlier this summer both quit Ashcourt Rowan Asset Management, a London-based specialist wealth and investment management business. It marks another significant step on the...
Hydro International has shrugged off challenging trading conditions in the construction industry, boosting first half revenue by 24% to £13.7m. The Clevedon company, which has developed a range of technologies to control urban run off, treat stormwater, combined sewage overflows and municipal wastewater, lifted pre-tax profit from £618,000 to £951,000...
South West manufacturers have achieved healthy growth figures despite the increasingly fragile nature of the wider economic recovery. The upbeat picture emerges from a major survey by EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, and accountants BDO. It shows 45% of the region’s manufacturing firms taking part in the survey reporting higher output...
Smart use of social media has catapulted a North Somerset hotel into the Marketing Times list of Top 30 UK hotels on Twitter – well ahead of London's Ritz and the Four Seasons. DoubleTree by Hilton, Cadbury House in Congresbury is rated number 11 with a score of 98.1*...
More than a third of South West bosses will bow to the inevitable and allow rugby-keen employees to work flexitime during the upcoming World Cup in New Zealand. Interest in the competition, which begins on Friday and runs until October 23, is expected to be high. But nine in...
How can parents support their children through university and also save tax? It's a question many are facing for the first time as the 2011/12 university year begins. The Clifton office of national accountancy firm Saffery Champness suggests that investing in residential accommodation for student children could allow parents to...
Would-be music business entrepreneurs and musicians can find out how to break into the international music industry at a masterclass being held in Bristol on Thursday. The event is part of a roadshow staged by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), the Government’s international trade arm, and supported by leading...
From Bristol 24-7 www.bristol247.com Two of Bristol’s leading creative companies have joined forces to create an easy-to-follow tour of the remaining pieces by legendary street artist Banksy. Available to download on to a phone, the app uses Google maps to show the locations of 14 pieces, ranging from the...
Around two-thirds of divorces in the South West are being put on hold due to the tough financial climate, according to a new survey from accountants and business advisers Grant Thornton. The firm’s annual matrimonial survey reveals that a lack of value or liquidity of assets has caused 67%...
International experts in construction management will gather at the University of the West of England (UWE) next week for the 27th Annual ARCOM (the Association of Researchers in Construction Management) Conference. ARCOM aims to advance knowledge in all aspects of construction management by supporting education, dissemination and research. The...
How can parents support their children through university and also save tax? It's a question many are facing for the first time as the 2011/12 university year begins. The Clifton office of national accountancy firm Saffery Champness suggests that investing in residential accommodation for student children could allow parents to...
Bristol design agency Gravity has merged with Duttons Design, the long-established design and communications agency. Over the past five years Gravity, based at Paintworks, has developed a strong reputation for its creativity particularly among food clients – it has worked with Appetito, Wiltshire Farm Foods, The Groovy Food Company...
