Business in the Community (BITC), the national charity promoting corporate responsibility, has appointed Dairy Crest chief executive Mark Allen as chairman of its South West Advisory Board. Mark, pictured, who previously chaired BITC’s National Rural Leadership team, will now focus on helping South West businesses of all sizes integrate...
Bristol’s iconic International Balloon Fiesta, now in its 36th year, has been launched to the city’s business community with a plea to get involved. The Fiesta attracts around 500,000 visitors and more than 150 balloons, making it the second-largest event of its kind in the world and one of...
Shops, cafes, hotels, independent financial advisers and universities were among the winners in this year’s South West Fairtrade Business awards, which champion firms that put ethical responsibilities at the heart of their business. The awards, staged yesterday at Bristol’s City Hall, attracted scores of entrants from across the region....
A radical regeneration of the area around Bristol Temple Meads station and the new arena site to improve access for pedestrians and cyclists is being put forward for nearly £21m in funding. The scheme will vastly improve the semi-derelict Temple Circus – an eyesore for decades – and provide...
Buying Fairtrade products can be a tiny decision for a business yet it can have a huge impact on people’s lives. This message was brought home to businesses this morning as Fairtrade Fortnight got underway with a launch breakfast at Bristol law firm Burges Salmon. Margarita Espinoza, a Fairtrade...
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...
Fairtrade Fortnight kicks off on Monday with a business breakfast hosted by law firm Burges Salmon – the first of a series of events strengthening Bristol’s role as one of the world’s leading Fairtrade cities. Speaking at the breakfast will be Margarita Espinoza, a Nicaraguan Fairtrade coffee producer. Margarita,...
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...
The director of the Centre for Sustainable Planning and the Environments (SPE) at UWE, Professor Katie Williams, has been appointed to a major Government body looking at the cities of the future. The Foresight Review will tackle the issues that will influence central Government thinking on where and how...
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...
