Business organisation the CBI “warmly welcomed” Chancellor Philip Hammond’s commitments to boost research and development, housing and infrastructure. But it said these must be acted on. Director-general Carolyn Fairbairn, pictured below, said: “The Chancellor has prioritised a pragmatic down payment on future productivity growth. “His emphasis on R&D, housing and local infrastructure will help...
Chancellor Philip Hammond his presented his first Autumn Statement: Here are the main points, as announced: Office for Budget Responsibility says growth this year will be 2.1%, 1.4% next year (down from 2.2%), 1.7% in 2018 (down from 2.1%), 2.1% in 2019/20 (down from 2.1%) and 2% in 2020/21, (down from 2.1%). As expected, the...
Good Energy, the Chippenham-based green energy firm, has launched the UK’s first online marketplace for renewable electricity, giving businesses the power to choose how and where their electricity is generated. Called Selectricity, the scheme is supported and part funded by the government and has already signed up the National Trust, the Eden Project, Community Power...
Pioneering recycling business Moore’s has been acquired by a Wiltshire waste management group in a deal handled by the Bath office of regional law firm Thrings. Family-run Moore’s Recycling collects and recycles waste plastic, packaging and cardboard from national blue-chip clients such as DHL, Coca Cola, Bernard Matthews, Argos and Marks & Spencer. It is...
Mum-of-two Mel Bound, who set up a running network to help mums get access to exercise, was crowned Female Start-Up of the Year at last week’s Festival of Female Entrepreneurs. Judges of a live pitching session at the festival, which took place in Bristol, voted unanimously for Mel, pictured, who set up This Mum...
Two directors from the Bath area have been recognised for their inspiring leadership in a major national award scheme. Brady George, managing director of Keynsham-based facilities management company Almeda, and Paul Bennett, executive chairman of Bath-based commercial energy efficiency consultancy BSSEC, were among the winners at the coveted Institute of Directors 2016 Director of the...
Bristol Airport’s chief executive has called on the government not to overlook the role played by regional airports in growing the UK’s economy following its long-delayed decision to support a third runway at Heathrow. Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said the “truly momentous” decision would trigger a £61bn boost for the economy by opening up new...
Innovative start-ups and high-growth businesses based at SETsquared, the global number one business incubator backed by the University of Bath, will soon be able to pitch online for vital investment in a move that maintains its world-leading status. Pitching for the incubator’s investment programme has traditionally involved running panel selection days in front of a live...
Bath’s small and medium-sized firms should use the next two years to get ‘Brexit-ready’, according to the area’s business support service GetSet for Growth. The organisation, which has just marked its one-year anniversary, said the EU referendum result had already triggered an increase in the number of businesses seeking support for plans to capitalise...
The Festival of Female Entrepreneurs returns to the West of England next Friday for its fifth year, bringing together some of the UK’s most influential female entrepreneurs, business leaders and brightest start-ups to provide detailed insight for starting and scaling a business. The jam-packed programme at the At-Bristol science centre includes: Julie Deane, who...
