The boss of the region’s largest business organisation has again slammed Westminster for “playing political chess” while the health of the economy is in the balance. Phil Smith, pictured, managing director at Business West – which runs Bath Chamber of Commerce and the Bath & North East Somerset Initiative – said firms were paying...
Somerset-based luxury fashion brand Mulberry has appointed Ted Baker board member Charles Anderson as its new group finance director. Charles will join Mulberry, which has its headquarters and a factory at Chilcompton and is best known for its designer leather bags, in October. His appointment comes following Mulberry crashing to a £5m pre-tax loss...
Bath companies that export to Europe are being urged to register for non-EU trade ahead of a possible no-deal Brexit or face potential problems once the UK has left the European Union. The warning has come from Business West, the South West’s largest business organisation, which points out that if the UK quits the...
Innovative companies from the Bath area are being invited to pitch to investors for financial support from £100,000 up to £2m. PitchFest South West provides ambitious businesses with an intensive expert training and investment programme designed to help them become both pitch and investment ready. They then get to pitch to a group of...
The first-ever industrial blueprint for the West of England has been launched with the aim of building on the area’s unique creativity, collaboration and ingenuity to secure sustainable growth. Among ideas suggested in the strategy are connecting researchers, businesses and residents through a Global Centre of Innovation Excellence to focus the area’s innovative strengths...
Forming a Western Powerhouse for a region stretching from Swindon to Swansea with Bath in its centre could boost the economy by billions of pounds and create lucrative global trade opportunities, a major new report published shows. By working together on maior infrastructure schemes and promoting international trade post-Brexit, towns and cities along the...
Bath’s exporting businesses have the opportunity to shape future international trade advice and support by taking part in a new survey. Business West, the region’s largest business organisation, and the Department for International Trade (DIT) South West have teamed up to stage the survey against a backdrop of increased exporting from the region. Last...
BGF, the UK investment group with an office in the South West, is celebrating passing the £2bn funding milestone, with £134m of that going to businesses in the region. The firm, which is the UK and Ireland’s most active investor in growing businesses, has backed 19 businesses in the South West since it was...
The Institute of Directors’ South West Director of the Year Awards celebrated best business practice, with the winners demonstrating the breadth and depth of talent in the region’s boardrooms. Winners ranged from the West of England’s largest bus operator to a recycling firm behind a state-of-the-art waste handling centre and a fast-growing recruitment. The...
The founder of specialty healthcare firm Alliance Pharma has stepped down from its board after more than 20 years, leaving it as a £353m international company. John Dawson, pictured, formed the Chippenham-headquartered firm 23 years ago. It has since then developed a strong track record of acquiring the rights to underperforming drugs brands and...
