Further evidence of recovery among small and medium-sized West manufacturers emerged today with figures showing ‘significant’ growth over the past six months and plans for increased investment this year. The results, from the latest Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) Barometer survey, show 64% of firms increased sales in the second...
Continued growth in commercial aerospace, including at its Bristol bases, offset a decline in work on military aircraft projects last year at engineering giant GKN. The group, which produces wing sections at Filton and Avonmouth, today reported a 15% fall in annual pre-tax profits to £484m on sales up...
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...
Bristol’s world-class expertise in micro-electronics is to play a crucial role in the recently-announced Smart Cities Trade Mission to China later this year. Bristol boasts the world’s second-largest cluster of micro-chip design expertise outside of California’s Silicon Valley. Many of its leading-edge firms have become global players in the...
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...
UWE vice-chancellor Professor Steve West has been selected to take part in a panel debate on how best to foster student innovation and entrepreneurship. Chaired by Guardian Universities editor Judy Friedberg at The Guardian University Forum 2014, the panel will consider the role universities play in nurturing student entrepreneurship...
Bristol’s innovation in the green, hi-tech and creative industries is to be championed in China through a unique trade mission which aims to open up valuable new markets for businesses in these key sectors. Taking the ‘Smart Cities’ concept as its theme, the November visit will give 10 Bristol...
Firms have been urged to get involved in City of Bristol College’s new Partners in Business network to strengthen the city’s skills base and boost its economy. Launched on Tuesday to an audience of business leaders and company representatives, the network aims to help organisations improve performance, develop programmes,...
Bristol’s emerging role as a national crucible for tech innovation received royal approval this week when the Duke of York visited the city. The Duke, who has a keen interest in technology and knowledge transfer, met fledging and established tech companies on Monday when he toured Bristol’s recently-opened Engine...
Bristol-based specialist engineering firm Mawdsleys BER is to expand further into the South West after acquiring a Somerset business. Mawdsleys BER, which has made and serviced electric motors, generators and pumps in St Philips since 2001, will use the Chard base of Somerset Pumps to extend its services into Devon,...
Shares in Bristol-based Imperial Tobacco, Europe’s second-largest tobacco company, rose strongly yesterday following a pledge that it will increase its next dividend to shareholders by at least 10%. The global group said concentrating on its 10 ‘growth brands’ was beginning to pay off. These brands, which include Lambert &...
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...
Bristol-based Imperial Tobacco, the world’s fourth-largest cigarette group, has appointed Kingfisher group finance director Karen Witts to its board as an independent non-executive director. She also joins its audit, remuneration and nominations committees. Karen Witts joined Kingfisher in 2012 from Vodafone where she was chief finance officer of the Africa,...
