The number of business start-ups in Bath reached an all-time high last year despite the slow recovery from recession, new figures show. Some 920 new companies were formed in the BA1 and BA2 postcodes during 2013 – 11% higher than the previous year. In a further sign of growing confidence, net company growth –...
Bath businesses will next week get a rare chance to meet trade experts from the British Embassies in the US and Canada and explore transatlantic export opportunities on a one-to-one basis. The event, at the Mercure Holland House Hotel in Bristol on Wednesday, March 5, is the latest ‘meet the expert’ event to be...
Monahans, the west accountancy firm with offices in Bath, Chippenham, Glastonbury and Trowbridge, has promoted Shelly Smith to senior manager in its business recovery and insolvency team. Shelly, pictured, who has more than 18 years’ experience, started her career with Solomon Hare in Bristol before moving on to manage the insolvency team at Robson...
Bath area firms are being urged to tell the Treasury how it could change the business tax system to make the UK more competitive. The Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) is seeking ideas for an initial report on tax simplification to be presented ahead of next month’s Budget. Andy Richens, technical tax director at...
Business West, which runs the Bath Chamber of Commerce, has welcomed the fall in inflation to 1.9% – the first time it has been below the important 2% level since 2009. The rate, as measured by the consumer prices index, was down from 2% in December. The surprise fall – most economist expected it...
HSBC has appointed James Jordan as area commercial director for Bath and Bristol with responsibility for supporting businesses turning over between £500,000 and £30m. The appointment marks a return to the region for James, who has spent the past two years as area commercial director for HSBC in Central London. James, pictured, has spent his entire career with HSBC,...
Specialist charity fundraising services provider The Woods Group, which works with major organisations such as RSPB, National Trust and Motability, has been bought by its management team. The Chippenham-based firm stages raffles, weekly lotteries, response handling and fulfilment allowing its charity clients to concentrate on core fundraising campaigns. The deal, financial details of which...
Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, the division that supports mid-market businesses and large corporates, has further strengthened its West operation with the appointment of Daniel Tregunna as relationship director. Daniel will be part of the bank’s 25-strong mid-markets team, which supports a wide network of businesses with annual turnover in excess of £25m, providing financial...
Innovative businesses in the Bath area working on pioneering research and development projects can apply for financial help through a £4m innovation fund launched today by the University of the West of England (UWE). Grants of between £25,000 and £150,000 will be available to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as large companies...
Accountants and financial planners Old Mill have recruited their first IT director in a move that reflects the firm’s significant on-going investment in its IT systems and infrastructure. Highly-experienced IT specialist James, pictured, will head Old Mill’s existing three-man IT team across its five West Country offices, including Wells and Melksham. The 41-year-old previously...
