The Autumn Statement has piled more pressure on the UK’s 5.5m small businesses, their employees and customers, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s measures were “high on stealth-creation and low on wealth-creation”, FSB national chair of Martin McTague said. “While tackling inflation is essential,...
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has presented his Autumn Statement. The main points were: Chancellor said priorities were stability, growth and public services and high inflation is the enemy. But he confirmed UK was in recession. GDP is forecast to shrink by 1.4% next year, before returning to growth in 2024. ...
Francis Clark Financial Planning has appointed experienced wealth manager Chris Reah as its new managing director. Chris, pictured, brings a blend of private banking and wealth management experience to the role, having worked closely with financial planners during his 25-year career with NatWest Stockbrokers, Coutts and Arbuthnot Latham. FCFP...
The value of many cryptoassets has fallen considerably as a result of the collapse of the FTX cryptocurrency exchange. The failure of such a big platform and the potential loss of billions of pounds worth of cryptocurrency value has rocked the confidence of the market. This has caused both...
Science Creates Ventures, the Bristol-headquartered specialist early-stage investor, has been awarded up to £15m to invest in some of the South West’s most promising deep tech innovations. The commitment from British Business Investments will allow Science Creates Ventures (SCV) to invest in pioneering companies at the pre-seed, seed and...
The Bristol office of national accountancy firm Haines Watts has promoted Conor O’Sullivan to associate director. Conor, pictured, has worked with the specialist accountancy practice for the past six years, having joined as a trainee following an apprenticeship with a small local firm. He now joins two other associate...
Accountancy group EY has strengthened its presence in the South West with the appointment of its first dedicated transaction diligence partner focused on the region. Marcus Graham, pictured, will provide financial due diligence on mid-market transactions in Bristol and across the South West, with the aim of building EY’s...
Bristol-based Molson Group, the UK’s largest independent distributor of capital equipment to the construction and waste management sectors, has expanded in the US with its second acquisition in just over six months. In a deal supported by Bristol-based advisors, the firm snapped up Powerscreen of Washington State, giving it...
The way we think about and treat our waste has changed dramatically in recent years. Whereas once we threw it out with barely a second thought, today we are increasingly seeing waste as a valuable commodity that can help save money, boost environmental credentials and be good for the planet...
Confidence among small business in the South West has fallen to a record low as fears grow about rising costs – with the region now the most pessimistic of any part of the country. The gloomy outlook comes from the latest survey by the FSB (Federation of Small Businesses),...
The cybersecurity sector is proving recession-proof and remains a vital growth area with strong merger & acquisition and fundraising activity, according to research by Bristol-based tech-focused investment bank ICON Corporate Finance. Its latest Cybersecurity report shows deal activity in the sector was up by 60% between January and September this year...
Accountancy group KPMG has made 59 promotions across its Bristol and Plymouth offices, including a new director, in a move it said demonstrates its continued investment in its future leaders in the South West. Rob Andrews has been made a director in its audit function while 14 further employees...
James Durie, the chief executive of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce and Initiative, is to step down from his role after 21 years at the end of this year. James, pictured, who is also an executive director of Business West, the chamber’s parent group and the region’s largest business...
