Investment into small and mid-sized business by growth finance group BGF’s South West office fell last year by around £10m as it came up against what it called “several economic uncertainties”. BGF, the largest and most experienced investor in the UK and Ireland, completed deals totalling £60m during 2024 against £70m the previous year. ...
The role that cities and regions can play in driving the government’s growth agenda will be explored at a major event next week. Festival of Flourishing Regions will bring together policymakers, regional planners, economic development experts, academics and business and community leaders to explore and promote strategies for regional prosperity. Sessions will cover university...
Three Bath firms are to develop new ideas and products after being selected for funding under a new regional creative industries scheme. Stormjar, which describes itself as an immersive horror studio, has received £26,921 to help create the next generation of immersive, location-based and digital hybrid horror experiences. It was founded by experienced designers...
Nearly 200,000 jobs in 19,000 South West businesses have been supported by investments made through the British Business Bank over the past10 years, according to a new report. Some 16,000 more jobs are expected to be created as the firms it has backed over the past decade continue to expand, generating an additional £7bn...
Bath’s Herschel Museum of Astronomy has received £18,500 to fund a permanent planetarium that will be used to motivate to a new generation of the city’s schoolchildren to learn about science. The grant, made through The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, will pay for a dome and projection system to take to local...
Investment group Foresight has appointed an experienced senior investment manager in its South West-based private equity team ahead of opening an office in the region this year. Olly Cox, pictured, brings more than 12 years’ deal experience to the role, in which he will support the deployment and management of the recently launched Foresight South...
Bath-based office design company Interaction has helped co-working operator BLOCK launch its first hub in Bristol as the trend for flexible city centre workspace shows no sign of slowing. BLOCK, which already has sites in Taunton and Plymouth, has opened the new 8,300 sq ft base, pictured, on the 12 floor of The Fairfax, the...
The West of England was today named as a priority region for the creative industries by the government as it looks to ‘turbocharge’ economic growth by building on the UK’s world-leading role in the sector. The region is one of 11 which will receive investment from a new £60m fund to go to businesses...
The founder of Taste of Bath, the online store that connects those wanting to shop local with local food producers, has thanked its customers, suppliers and supporters after taking the decision to close it down. Helen Rich launched the firm 10 years ago, building it up to become a highly successful and multi-award winning...
Mark the date for Bath Unlimited’s free upcoming leadership event next Tuesday, 21 January. Those attending will be getting into conversation around the major leadership challenges that lie ahead in 2025. Sarah Williment from Farleigh Performance will be joined by Alison Sturgess-Durden, director at Bath-based business Mayden, to explore how, as leaders, we can navigate...
