Somerset family cidermaker Thatchers has appointed former CBI boss and trade minister Lord Digby Jones to its board as a non-executive director. Lord Jones, who was director-general of the CBI for six years, is a champion of British business at home and abroad. He is a regular – and...
Ambitious plans for a new international automotive research facility at Bristol & Bath Science Park were revealed today. The facility, along with more space for growing businesses and improved training provision for the UK composites sector, were announced by a newly created steering committee set up to deliver phase two...
Bott, the workplace storage equipment firm, and Devon Air Ambulance Trust have won the PWC Business of the Year Awards – the South West’s most coveted business accolades. Bude-based Bott’s CEO Clive Woodward received his trophy for the £30m-plus turnover category from Mark Beard, chief executive of last year’s...
Business leaders across the West of England have turned up the heat on the region’s local councils to work together to gain greater economic powers as the Government’s devolution plans gather pace. They pointed out that Chancellor George Osborne announced in his Budget this week that more autonomy will...
The first direct flights between Bristol and Nantes – officially two of Europe’s greenest cities – started this week as airline bmi regional launched its latest service from Bristol Airport. The twice-weekly service – flights are on Saturday and Tuesday – has highlighted the similarities between the two cities...
Before the Budget Business West – the organisation that runs Bristol Chamber of Commerce – called for a focus on infrastructure, exports and the skills gap. Managing director Phil Smith said: “Our nation’s roads and apprentices got a cordial mention , international trade was almost utterly absent....
The CBI described the Budget as double-edged for business and branded the Chancellor’s flagship introduction of a National Living Wage of £7.20 next April as “a big gamble”. It also called the apprentice levy “a blunt tool” to force more businesses to take on trainees. Director-general John Cridland said:...
Many of the measures in Chancellor George Osborne’s Summer Budget got a warm welcome from Bristol business figures – particularly support for small businesses. Jeremy Richards, head of office at property agency JLL’s Bristol office, said: “The Chancellor’s continued focus on investment in improving the M4 and the electrification...
Key points from the Budget: New National Living Wage of £7.20 for all workers aged over 25 to be introduced next April and to reach £9 an hour by 2020 Cuts in National Insurance for small firms to help them pay for living wage More devolution to Northern cities...
Confidence among West of England firms remains fragile despite a period of strong growth, according to the latest survey by Business West. The organisation, which runs Bristol Chamber of Commerce and the Bristol Initiative, said the findings showed the need for the new Government to act to encourage sustainable...
The world’s first solar hybrid balloon, now under development in Bristol, will make its maiden flight at the city’s iconic international balloon fiesta next month. The innovative balloon, produced by Cameron Balloons, was showcased this week to coincide with the announcement of St Austell Brewery as the official sponsor...
Business West, the organisation behind Bristol Chamber of Commerce, has called on the Chancellor to strike a balance between eliminating the deficit and stimulating growth in next week’s Budget. And while George Osborne is likely to focus on the cuts and reform, he must also concentrate on infrastructure, boosting...
Bristol-based entrepreneur Rob Law, the inventor of the Trunki ride-on child’s suitcase, has received an honorary degree from the University of Bath. Rob – who was famously turned down on Dragons’ Den – received his Doctor of Engineering degree in recognition of his exceptional achievements, including building a company...
