South West law firm Ashfords has appointed UK and European patent attorney Kaya Elkiner as its new head of patents to mark the start of its international patenting service aimed at companies developing new technology. Kaya, pictured, joins from London patent lawyers Keltie. The launch of the new patenting...
Bristol firms interested in exporting can find out more at a number of special events in and around the city next week as part of Exporting is GREAT Week. Hosted by UKTI South West, the events are aimed at those just starting out on their export journey as well...
Juice Recruitment, the West of England employment agency with an office in Bristol, is looking to grow its branch network as the region’s jobs market continues to strengthen. Between January and March the firm recorded its highest number of recruits securing permanent positions – up 32% year-on-year – since...
The region’s four largest business groups and some of its biggest companies have called on local councils to give the go-ahead to plans to win devolved powers and funding from central government. Business West, the CBI, IoD and the FSB – along with the bosses of some of the...
One of the West of England’s most influential business and academic leaders, UWE vice-chancellor Professor Steve West, has said it is “critically important” the UK stays in the EU. In an emphatic backing of the ‘remain’ campaign, Prof West said being in the European Union was vital not just...
Engineering consultancy Grontmij, which has an office in Bristol, has this week rebranded as Sweco, marking the completion of its acquisition by Europe’s leading architecture and engineering consultancy. Dutch firm Grontmij was bought last October by Swedish firm Sweco. The enlarged Stockholm-based group has 14,500 employees, sales of approximately...
Bristol-headquartered national law firm TLT has advised Somerset cidermaker Brothers Drinks on its acquisition of a high-speed bottling line in its home town of Shepton Mallet from Irish drinks giant C&C Group. Brothers, launched in 1992 by four sons of the Showering family of Babycham fame, has also bought...
Free guidance sessions for small firms on the latest pensions minefield are being staged in Bristol next week by a national pensions group. All small business owners have been required to enrol their employees into a pension scheme by law since the start of this year – but many...
The South West and Thames Valley investment team of BGF (Business Growth Fund) has expanded with the appointment of Alex Snodgrass. Alex, pictured, is the latest addition to the 10-strong team, which is responsible for identifying investment opportunities and managing the deal process from origination through to completion. Alex...
A Bristol-based tech start-up is calling on the city’s businesses to lead the world in ending modern slavery. Semantrica was launched as a social enterprise today by Bristol tech entrepreneur Jaya Chakrabarti MBE, pictured, and award-winning city charity Unseen, which has become a leading campaign group against human trafficking....
Portishead may be a long way from the offshore oil fields of the Gulf of Mexico or the Persian Gulf but innovative subsea technology being trialled there could save the oil and gas industry millions of pounds in lost production. Portishead-based engineering firm Viper Subsea, which supplies hi-tech equipment...
Problems with a major fixed-price contract have pushed annual profits down by 80% at specialist IT firm SciSys. The firm, which has an office in Bristol and develops complex IT projects for clients in sectors such as space, defence and the media, was hit hard last year by the...
Support for Brexit has increased markedly among South West business leaders over the past year, according to a new survey, leaving the region’s bosses sharply divided on the vital issue of EU membership. The business poll, conducted by growth capital firm BGF (Business Growth Fund), shows 52% of the...
