West Wiltshire businessman Paul Johnson has been appointed as the first chairman of the newly-formed Swindon & Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). Mr Johnson recently stepped down as chairman of Melksham-based railway engineering group Knorr-Bremse (UK). His appointment was ratified by an independent panel drawn from the local business community and chaired by the...
Vectura, the Chippenham-based specialist pharmaceutical group, is to cut £1m from its research and development budget, it has announced as it told the City that it expects its annual results to be in line with expectations. The group, which specialises in developing inhaled therapies for the treatment of respiratory diseases, said despite the cut...
With less than 200 days to go to the London Olympics and Paralympics, workplace expert Acas is advising West employers to avoid any last-minute hurdles by planning for staff being away from work during the Games. Bosses should start talking now to employees who will be acting as volunteers to manage their time off...
A new breed of business-to-business exhibition is heading West – one which turns the tables on the traditional and out-dated style of such events. Rabbit 2012, which takes place on March 20, will use the latest technology to give exhibitors and delegates the best opportunities to engage with each other and ultimately grow their...
Warminster-based specialist packaging company Ready Case has acquired a larger base as it continues to expand. The 35-year-old firm, which makes corrugated cardboard boxes for books, CDs, DVDs and wine bottles and other products, is to move into the former Wylye Valley Foods building on the Woodcock Industrial Estate. The 13,429 sq ft building,...
Marine survey specialist GEMS has sealed a five-year agreement to take over the ground floor of Royal Mead, an office block opposite Bath Spa railway station. The deal, brokered by Colliers International, includes 6,852 sq ft of refurbished space together with nine secure car parking spaces GEMS (Geotechnical Engineering and Marine Surveys) provides geotechnical,...
The National Trust is to hold an open day at Bath’s 18-century Prior Park Landscape Garden to give potential volunteers a chance to find out about the roles available and what they entail. Staff and current volunteers will be on hand to share their experiences at the event between 10.30am and 2.30pm on Saturday...
Wincanton, the Chippenham-based logistics group which recorded a £75.5m first half loss, has refinanced its debt through a £185m bank facility and a £75m term facility. The new arrangements follow completion of the sale of its remaining loss-making European operations to German company Rhenus. The sale to Rhenus was announced last summer following the...
Camilla Atkins of Monahans Financial Services has become a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society (FPFS), the highest accolade available to independent financial advisers. Less than 2% of UK financial advisers have been awarded Fellowship status of the Personal Finance Society, the professional body for those working in the financial services industry and which...
Experienced tourism professional Nick Brooks-Sykes has been appointed as chief executive of Bath Tourism Plus, the destination marketing organisation for the city and the surrounding area. He brings a wealth of tourism and marketing experience to the position, having previously worked as director of tourism at the North West Development Agency and head of...
