Health Secretary Sajid Javid has been urged to block the £1bn takeover of specialist inhaler firm Vectura by tobacco giant Philip Morris International (PMI). Directors at Vectura, which has its roots in a spin-out from the University of Bath, last night recommended the Marlboro cigarette maker’s offer, unleashing a storm of protest from dozens of...
Low-cost airline easyJet has teamed up with Bristol Airport to use it as a test-bed to trial ways of decarbonising its operations and reduce waste. The airline, the airport’s largest operator accounting for about half of all its flights, said the partnership would involve a series of trials using the latest cutting-edge technology and...
Bath-based specialist software firm Dancerace is looking ahead to a period of strong growth after receiving investment and appointing a tech sector serial entrepreneur as chairman. The firm, which was launched in 1992, develops software for the receivables, trade and asset-based finance market. It also offers training, consultancy and support services to help its...
The South West’s small and medium-sized businesses are among the UK’s most confident when it comes to their prospects and the wider economy, according to two new surveys. The latest regional survey by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) reveals that small business owners in the region are the country’s most optimistic for profit...
More empty shops are being repurposed as part of a project to breathe new life into Bath city centre as the retail sector continues to grapple with the twin impacts of the pandemic and the rise of online shopping. Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Vacant Units Action Project finds new uses for void...
Roger Isaacs, a long-standing partner at regional accountancy firm Milsted Langdon, has added to his awards tally by being named the UK’s leading forensic accountancy professional for the third year running. Roger, pictured, claimed the hat-trick in the recent Lawyer Monthly Expert Witness Awards, which recognise those who contribute vital evidence and expertise to some...
The Meet Bristol & Bath Convention Bureau, part of the regional destination marketing organisation Visit West, has been named as a finalist in two prestigious event industry award schemes. The bureau team is shortlisted for ‘Best UK Convention Bureau’ at the M&IT Awards, the event industry’s biggest awards programme, where it will be competing against...
Lucy Bennett, an adviser at South West accountancy firm Old Mill, has become the youngest-ever head of one of its offices. The 24-year-old, pictured, is leading the firm’s Yeovil office, where she is encouraging collaboration and engagement among its teams and supporting Old Mill’s work in the local community, alongside her role as client...
The regional planning and development team at global real estate advisor CBRE has been strengthened with the appointment of Isabel Keppel as associate director. Isabel, pictured, has more than 11 years’ experience in planning. She began her career at engineering consultancy Arup in Bristol before moving to London to work for AECOM and then CBRE...
Global accountancy group PwC has promoted Paul Atkinson to head of financial services for the West & Wales as it continues to build its presence in an industry worth more than £10bn to the regional economy. Paul, pictured, replaces PwC global insurance operations leader Will Conner in the role. He has a long track record...
