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,...
Optimism among UK businesses reached its highest level since 1992 in January, pointing to rapid economic growth over the coming six months, according to a major new survey today. Manufacturers are particularly upbeat about their prospects and the overall high confidence levels among businesses are likely to lead to...
Key innovations that are putting Bristol at the leading edge of global robotics research will be demonstrated to the Duke of York when he visits Bristol Robotics Laboratory (BRL) on Monday. BRL is the UK’s leading and largest academic centre for multi-disciplinary robotics research and home to a vibrant...
Bristol’s reputation as an innovative centre for advanced computing has been strengthened by microchip giant Intel’s decision to select the University of Bristol as its first UK centre for parallel computing. The US tech group is establishing a network of Intel Parallel Computing Centers (IPCCs) across the world with...
Half-year profits at West advanced engineering group Renishaw plunged by 65% to £25.6m yesterday due to lower orders in the Far East. Revenue was also down from £174.2m to £164.0m. The Wotton-under-Edge-based group, one of the region’s most successful manufacturers, said the figures for the six months to December...
Plasterboard manufacturer and supplier Siniat has opened a £250,000 state-of-the-art laboratory at its flagship Portbury manufacturing plant. The lab – the latest step in a long-term vision to improving the site, formerly owned by Lafarge Plasterboard – provides a modern, high-spec environment for Siniat’s production, maintenance and quality assurance...
