More than 80% of West of England firms fear leaving the EU would pose a risk to the UK economy, according to results of a survey among nearly 1,000 businesses in the region published today. Two thirds also believe it would be bad for their own business. The survey by Business West, the organisation...
Marshfield Bakery managing director Chris Smith has won a prestigious Institute of Directors (IoD) Award for the second year running. Chris, who only joined the family-owned cake and biscuit firm three years ago, scooped the title of Best Director of a Small Company at the awards ceremony. Last year he landed the coveted top...
National property consultancy Carter Jonas has appointed Clare Winnett, a senior associate in its Bath office, to its commercial board as part of its national growth strategy Vision 2020. Clare, pictured, a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a practising arbitrator and independent expert, joined Carter Jonas in 2009. With Alexandra Houghton...
Kate Gorringe has been appointed as creative director of Mr B & Friends, the Bath-based brand, creative and digital agency. With more than 20 years’ experience in London-based design and advertising agencies, Kate’s clients have included Lloyds TSB, JustGiving, AXA, Principality Building Society, Siniat (formerly Lafarge Plasterboard) and Sainsbury’s and she brings a strong...
Accountancy firm Bishop Fleming, which has an office in Bath, has boosted its corporate finance team with the appointment of Charles Davey, the former NatWest director of structured finance in the South West and South Wales. Mr Davey joins Bishop Fleming as director of corporate finance after eight years at the bank, where he...
Bristol Airport is to build a £24m extension to its terminal featuring state-of-the-art technology aimed at streamlining passenger security checks and ending peak-time bottle necks, it announced today. The airport, the UK’s ninth largest and one of its fastest growing, is holding talks with security firms to install the industry’s most-advanced equipment to speed...
The largest fully refurbished industrial/warehouse building in Chippenham – the former DTR VMS building on the Bumpers Farm industrial estate – has come onto the market. The 90,000 sq ft building, pictured below, now rebranded as The Hub, has been empty since the automotive components manufacturer relocated to a larger site in Trowbridge. Owner...
Annual turnover at regional law firm Thrings, which has an office in Bath, has leapt by 10% to £27.5m – the second consecutive year it has achieved double-digit growth. The firm said a client-focused strategy and modern and transparent pricing models coupled with strong organic growth contributed to the increase in the year to...
Manufacturing group Avon Rubber has taken over one of its US suppliers in a $5.1m (£3.2m) deal. Melksham-headquartered Avon said the acquisition of Hudstar Systems would “modestly” boost earnings in its next full financial year. Florida-based Hudstar designs and makes electronic control systems used in powered and supplied air respiratory protection systems – largely...
By Barbara Davies, chief executive, West of England Local Enterprise Partnership. Our newly refreshed LEP board met for the first time on June 17. There are some new faces following the local elections and a business-led selection process. Great news that Colin Skellett has been reappointed as chair of the board to continue to...
