Bath’s hi-tech innovators have been celebrated at the inaugural SPARKies Awards. Microchip design firm Picochip, which was sold in January to US company Mindspeed Technologies for £33.6m, collected three of the 12 awards on offer. Its chief technical officer Dr Doug Pulley was named best tech founder while the company itself won The Totally...
The Francis Hotel, in Bath’s Queen Square, has been restored to its former glory following a £6m refurbishment by owners Accor. The 98-room Regency townhouse hotel will reopen on May 28. It form’s part of Accor’s upmarket MGallery portfolio of luxury hotels across the world. Under the upgrade the hotel’s bedrooms have been...
Bath’s Royal Crescent Hotel has been bought by property and hotel investment group Topland for a reported £19m. The prestigious 46-room hotel was put on the market last year following the collapse of owner, Bath-based luxury hotel group von Essen. A failed bid to buy the Grade II-listed hotel was made last year by...
Bath Priory Hotel has reached the finals of this year’s prestigious VisitEngland awards and is one of just two venues shortlisted in the Small Hotel category. The hotel, restaurant and spa collected three awards in the South West Tourism Excellence Awards 2011-12 staged in January – Small Hotel of the Year and Taste of...
Bath Rugby today confirmed that its director of rugby Sir Ian McGeechan will be leaving the club at the end of this season, coinciding with the end of his two-year contract. The club said they are making good progress in identifying a new head coach and Sir Ian’s successor will be in post by...
Big Issue co-founder John Bird has urged West businesses to be more socially aware and get involved in local politics to ensure the poor and homeless do not become dependent on State handouts and charity. In a wide-ranging and frank keynote speech at Bristol Chamber of Commerce's annual dinner, Mr Bird, pictured, drew on...
Experts at accountants PwC are urging West firms that invest in research and development (R&D) to take part in a Government consultation and help shape the future of support for industry. The Government is changing the way businesses can access its £700m pot of R&D credits through a new scheme, due to become legislation...
PR legend Lynne Franks and Cold Feet creator Mike Bullen are appearing at Creative Bath events over the next two months as the organisation goes from strength to strength. Businesswoman, author, broadcaster and public speaker Ms Franks is often described as a PR guru, lifestyle advisor and visionary. She was the inspiration for Edina...
Chartered accountants Monahans, which has offices in Bath, Swindon, Chippenham, Trowbridge and Glastonbury, has recruited Caroline Bee as manager in its fast-growing forensic services team. Caroline is returning to the practice having originally qualified with Monahans after leaving university and working in corporate finance. She returns after working within senior management at Wiltshire Council,...
Private equity backed companies expect to increase both turnover and profitability this year despite continuing economic uncertainty and difficult debt markets. Eight in 10 predict higher turnover while almost three quarters anticipate profits growth, according to a new report from accountants PwC. There is also good news on employment with 60% of portfolio companies...
