Malachy McReynolds, the chair of regional alternative finance lender SWIG Finance, is to step down in March after five years in the role. He will be replaced by Christine Allison, a former lead economist for the World Bank, who has been a non-executive director of SWIG Finance for the past three-and-a-half years. During that...
South West law firm Battens Solicitors has appointed Patrick Mears as head of commercial property in its Bath office. Patrick, pictured, is known for his considerable expertise in commercial law and has serviced the Bath market for many years. Yeovil-headquartered Battens, which also has offices in Sherborne, Castle Cary, Dorchester, Wareham and London, said...
Bath-headquartered law firm Royds Withy King has appointed specialist real estate development lawyer David Paxton as a partner and head of the real estate team in its London office. David, pictured, has joined from the London office of international law firm Charles Russell Speechlys, where he was a partner for just over two years. ...
The latest lockdown will be another “body blow” to Bath firms, coming after the uncertainty caused by Brexit and lost trade in the run-up to Christmas, the region’s biggest business group has warned. Business West, which runs Bath Chamber of Commerce, said firms that had survived so far with Covid-related support from the government...
The South West CBI has called for a rethink of government support for businesses hit by Covid-related restrictions ahead of much of the region going into higher tiers – including Bath and North East Somerset – from midnight tonight. Bath and North East Somerset along with Wiltshire will move into Tier 3, dealing a...
Business West, the region’s largest business organisation, is aiming to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030 and has introduced three new steps to help it – and firms across the South West – reach the ambitious target. The organisation, which runs Bath Chamber of Commerce and the Bath & North East Somerset Initiative...
More than two-thirds of high-growth firms in the South West plan to continue to expand next year after adapting for a post-Covid world, new research shows. According to the first survey to chart these businesses during the coronavirus pandemic it has created significant barriers to growth for 58% of South West firms, with operational...
The chairman of Somerset-based luxury fashion brand Mulberry today insisted it had a bright future as a standalone business after Mike Ashley’s Fraser Group pulled out of talks to take it over. Frasers, formerly known as Sports Direct, said last month it was considering a bid for Mulberry – best known for its much-sought-after...
Homewood, the hotel owned by Bath-based Kaleidoscope Collection, has been accepted into the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection for 2021. Set in 20 acres in Freshford, Homewood has 21 bedrooms along with a 10-bedroom lodge which opened this year. It also boasts an intimate garden spa with outdoor pool while its Olio...
Bath’s beleaguered hospitality industry is hoping for a boost in visitor numbers next year after a major TV period drama series filmed in the city premieres on Christmas Day. Bridgerton, described as a witty, romantic, emotional and thoroughly modern take on the Regency era, will be screened on Netflix over eight episodes. Although set...
