Exporting firms based in the South West received support worth £3.2m from the government’s export credit agency UK Export Finance (UKEF) over the past year – helping them achieve overseas sales of more than £41m. The figures emerge from UKEF’s latest annual report. The agency works alongside the Department for International Trade (DIT) to...
International Trade Secretary Liam Fox will today tell West of England businesses that there has never been a better time to start exporting, with the help of his department. Latest government figures show an 11% surge in the value of overseas sales made by businesses from the region, with more than 8,600 firms now...
The £60m University of Bath-led world-beating automotive research centre, which will help develop the next generation of ultra-low emission vehicles, is to go ahead after receiving nearly two-thirds of its funding. The IAAPS – Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems – pictured, will also create an innovative automotive industry cluster in the South West...
Melksham-based Avon Tyres has become the official shirt sponsor of Sky Bet Championship side Derby County – a promotion for the firm following its position as the club’s back-of-shirt sponsor last season. Avon, which described the new agreement as “multi-year”, initially teamed up with The Rams in February last year when it became the...
Bath-based Independent Vetcare (IVC) has been named among the finalists for the coveted PwC West of England Business of the Year Awards – the region’s most prestigious business accolades. IVC– the UK’s fastest-growing veterinary group – will line up against nine other firms from across the South West at the glittering awards gala dinner in...
By Donna Kehoe, Bank of England agent for the South West of England Twice a year the Bank of England publishes a major review of what we call the ‘financial stability’ of the nation. Our aim is to ensure that the financial system is as robust as it can be to withstand whatever shocks...
Targeted campaigns aimed at attracting UK and foreign-owned firms to the West of England helped create a record 1,600 jobs last year. The figures, released by inward investment agency Invest Bristol & Bath (IBB), were announced by recently elected Metro Mayor Tim Bowles. IBB said more than half of all companies it supported were new or...
Denying Bath firms access to workers from the European Union after Brexit could have a “potentially chilling economic effect”, a major industry body warns today. The stark message from the EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, comes a day after Prime Minister Theresa May told EU leaders that about 3m EU citizens living in the UK...
Firms across the South West have taken advantage of the slump in sterling to go on an exporting spree, with the value of goods from the region sold overseas soaring by 30%. New figures from HMRC, which collates information on exports, shows exports from South West-based companies hit £6.3bn in the first three months of this year, up from...
The unexpected outcome of the General Election and the resulting hung Parliament has sent shock waves through businesses and the organisations representing them. Carolyn Fairbairn, director-general of the CBI, said it was a serious moment for the UK economy. “The priority must be for politicians to get their house in order and form a functioning government,...
