Barbara Davies, chief executive of the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), says that collaborative working between business and education are essential to maintain growth and productivity in the longer term. Businesses in the West of England continue to face the challenge of a skills gap, impacting on growth and stifling productivity and...
Specialist manufacturer Avon has received an order from the US military for nearly 167,000 of its protection mask systems. The deal, worth $42m (£29.7m), has been secured under Melksham-based Avon’s 10-year sole-source contract with the US Department of Defense (DOD) for the M50 masks. Avon said the order secured the anticipated volume of the...
Figures released today show that South West exporters out performed the national picture last year, increasing the volume of overseas sales by 10.6% compared to a national decrease of 2.7%. The data released by HM Revenue and Customs found that the total value of South West exports in 2015 was £15.2bn, an increase of...
The University of Bath’s ambitious plans to develop a world-class automotive research centre will put the UK in the driving seat for innovation in the global industry, according to Business Secretary Sajid Javid. The proposed £50m project, to be built at the Bristol & Bath Science Park, will bring new investment and jobs to...
Lightweight steel roofing company Metrotile UK has appointed Glenn Everest to lead its training operations as sales of its products continue to climb. Glenn, pictured, who boasts more than 40 years’ experience in fitting lightweight steel roof tile systems, will train roofers in the skills required to install the Chippenham-based firm’s variety of products....
Radstock-based print and post services firm CFH Docmail has been named as the UK’s fastest-growing hybrid mail company in the influential Print Week ‘Top 500’ league table, which acts as a bellwether report on the UK print industry. The firm achieved year-on-year sales growth of 37.25% with net profit rising by 163% and staff...
One of the largest business exhibitions in the region – The Bath Business Expo 2016 – is preparing to open its doors next week. The Expo on Thursday March 17 is supported by Bath & North East Somerset Council (B&NES) and will act as a local and regional meeting hub for business advice, seminars,...
Business West, the region’s largest business organisation, has again called on the Government to do more to tackle youth joblessness and the skills crisis following another fall in unemployment. Figures released earlier this week by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show unemployment in the South West is now the lowest in the country after...
Bath business leaders are being urged to enter one of the top business awards schemes recognising excellence and enterprise in the region’s boardrooms. The annual Institute of Directors’ South West Director of the Year Awards showcase outstanding leaders and entrepreneurs and focus UK-wide attention on success in the region. Over recent years the awards have become...
Bath’s burgeoning digital sector has helped the West of England become the UK’s most productive tech cluster with an impressive growth rate, according to a new analysis of the country’s digital and tech economy. The Tech Nation 2016 report places the Bristol/Bath area top of the nationwide league table for productivity, based on sales...
