South West accountancy group PKF Francis Clark has appointed a new head of its Bristol office to spearhead its continued expansion in the city and surrounding area. Paul Bray, pictured, has taken over as lead partner following the retirement of Mike Lea. He will be working closely with corporate...
National Friendly, the Bristol-based insurer, has stepped in to support city literacy and schools charity Ablaze with a new fundraising campaign. Under the initiative, the mutual insurer – a long-term partner of Ablaze – will use its influence to urge Bristol firms to contribute to the charity as well...
Tech has overtaken engineering to become Bristol’s dominant industry, boasting the most jobs and higher-than-average salaries, according to a new report. There are currently 1,965 IT-related job openings in the city, the highest of any industry, with logistics and warehouse coming in second with 1,840, and a total of...
Bristol’s Tier 3 restrictions when it comes out of the national lockdown next week will have a “chilling impact” on its economy, with much of its hospitality sector remaining “frozen” in the vital run-up to Christmas, business groups and the city’s mayor have warned. Mayor Marvin Rees, pictured, said...
A Bristol firm on a mission to bring two-wheel electric transport into the mainstream has received a six-figure business loan to overcome the impact of Covid-19. EcoMove opened its flagship store on Hotwell Road in June as the first lockdown was eased to sell a range of zero-emissions electric...
Bristol-based specialist energy investment company Thrive Renewables has joined forces with a renewable energy developer to enable businesses to install solar panels and use the power they generate. The firm has developed a new financing framework which provides the funding for Olympus Power to install hundreds of commercial solar...
The award-winning Trading Through Brexit service run by Business West has been relaunched to help companies make crucial last-minute adjustments to the way they operate ahead of the end of the UK-EU transition period. Regardless of whether or not a deal is reached between UK and EU negotiators ahead...
Business West, the region’s biggest business organisation, was disappointed with the lack of capital investment promised by the government for the West of England. Policy manager Claire Ralph said: “Some minor funding has been allocated to the West of England Combined Authority for local transport improvements through the Transforming...
Business groups have welcomed the investment in infrastructure and jobs in Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Spending Review but said many firms still needed more help from the government. The CBI praised the Chancellor for making “some bold autumn decisions” to power a spring recovery even as the stark forecasts pointed...
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has delivered his much-anticipated Spending Review, outlining how the government will tackle the huge economic challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Among main points were: The government is spending £280bn on tackling Covid-19 But the Chancellor says: “The economic damage is likely to be lasting.” Forecast...
Bristol youth empowerment social enterprise Babbasa is hosting a virtual taster training session tomorrow aimed at businesses wishing to improve their workplace’s inclusivity. Evidence clearly shows that diverse and inclusive working environments improve staff wellbeing, boost creativity and innovation and strengthen brand and reputation, resulting in a happier workforce and...
The government has been warned that it cannot “keep switching businesses on and off like a light switch” through Covid-19 related national lockdowns and regional tiers without expecting severe consequences. Instead, firms need a plan that keeps them, and the economy, open throughout winter and beyond, according to Business...
Business turnaround specialist Claire Burden has joined the Bristol office of financial and professional services firm Smith & Williamson as a partner in its national advisory consultancy business. Claire, pictured, arrives at Smith & Williamson after spending 10 years in industry, including spells as head of finance at Bristol-based OVO Energy and as finance...
