The coronavirus pandemic has dealt a severe blow to confidence levels among South West firms – with the region now the UK’s least optimistic, according to the gloomy results of another survey. Overall confidence slumped by 16 points during the past month to minus 51% – an unenviable record...
A charity combatting hunger in Bristol with food that would otherwise have been thrown away has received £60,000 from the city office of national financial and professional services firm Smith & Williamson. FareShare, which has its regional centre in St. Jude’s, is part of a UK national network of...
Bristol tech firm Sennen, which produces bespoke software that makes renewable energy operations safer and more efficient, has won a major new client. Sennen’s team is now working with leading renewable energy infrastructure and private equity investment manager Foresight Group to develop a system that will help it manage...
A Bristol-based specialist investment programme launched by two of the UK’s leading recruitment industry entrepreneurs has helped launch a start-up targeting the renewable energy sector. Surya Recruitment has been founded by Alka Graham, who has worked in the energy industry for more than a decade. It aims to promote...
Business West, the region’s largest business organisation, is launching a series of expert webinars and virtual networking events to help small firms bounce back from the impact of the coronavirus crisis. The webinars will address key practical issues and challenges facing firms as lockdown measures are eased while the...
One of the government’s boldest and most effective interventions during the coronavirus has been the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (or furlough scheme). It is also, undoubtedly, one of the most important for businesses. Many businesses have suffered a massive shock to income, and furloughing has offered an ability to...
The devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic on businesses in the West of England has been highlighted again in the results of two more surveys this week – with one showing two-thirds of firms suffered a fall in orders while the second reveals productivity is down at 80% of...
International law firm Osborne Clarke has made three promotions in its Bristol office made up of the appointments of two new partners and one legal director. The promotions are among six appointments at the firm which, when taken as a whole, strengthen its corporate team – with a focus...
Business organisations have welcomed new measures by the government to help small firms survive the coronavirus pandemic, reflecting the fact that around half are being rejected for loans under the existing scheme. Business West, the organisation that runs Bristol Chamber of Commerce, said Chancellor Rishi Sunak, pictured, had listened...
Five Bristol firms ranging from an ethical bank to an exhibition business and a youth empowerment organisation, have been awarded coveted Queen’s Awards for Enterprise. The accolades won by Triodos Bank, Ignition, Babbasa, CameraForensics and Unify Communications, are the most prestigious for UK businesses in the country and are...
More than 100 new plant species could be introduced to the former Gardiner Haskins site in Old Market by developer First Base to underline its commitment to supporting Bristol’s ecological emergency. The London-based developer, which announced the plan to coincide with Earth Day, said it aims to provide a...
Fewer than one in six West of England firms believe they will be able to cope if the coronavirus crisis lasts for more than six months, according to the results of the first major survey highlighting the impact of the pandemic on the region’s businesses. More than 70% of...
A taskforce bringing together businesses, universities and the West of England’s local authorities is being set up to ensure the region’s economy recovers as quickly as possible from the impact of the coronavirus crisis. The new group will also represent the region in discussions with central government to make...
