New regional chief for Acas

January 16, 2012
By
Tony-Master

Workplace relations advisers Acas has appointed Tony Cooper as its new director of the South West region. Mr Cooper has worked for Acas for 23 years, having had roles in every aspect of the organisation. He has also worked in the retail sector. He succeeds James Crass, who held the post for more than...

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Encouraging signs for West manufacturers among the uncertainty, says BDO

January 13, 2012
By
Jim Brown 1

Government initiatives to promote innovation and exports to emerging markets coupled with growth sectors like the automotive industry provide real opportunities for West manufacturers, according to accountants and business advisors BDO’s regional office. While recognising that uncertainty in key economies and markets and the lack of access to capital will make 2012 a challenging...

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Bank holds interest rates at 0.5% again

January 12, 2012
By

Interest rates have again been pegged at their record low of 0.5% amid growing concerns over weak consumer spending, mixed results from high street retailers and little sign of the expected upturn for manufacturers. The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) have now kept rates at 0.5% since March 2009. While some economists...

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Swindon & Wilts LEP appoints first chairman

January 11, 2012
By

The newly-formed Swindon & Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has appointed businessman Paul Johnson as its first chairman. Swindon-born 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 High Sherriff of...

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Cut in R&D spending planned at drugs group Vectura

January 11, 2012
By

Vectura, the Chippenham-based specialist pharmaceutical group, is to cut £1m from its research and development budget, it was 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...

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Plan now for Olympics absenteeism, firms are urged

January 11, 2012
By
200px-London_Olympics_2012_logo.svg

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...

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Jelf looks to add another three awards to its tally

January 4, 2012
By

Jelf Employee Benefits, the West-based firm with an office in Wootton Bassett, has been shortlisted for three awards in the Corporate Adviser Awards for 2012. The firm is battling it out in the Healthcare Adviser of the Year, Group Risk Adviser of the Year, and Best Cashplan Solution categories of the awards, which are now...

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Swindon house prices rise – but town is still South West’s most affordable

December 30, 2011
By

House Prices in Swindon defied the gloom in the property market to rise faster than the national average this year, new figures show today According to Swindon-based building society Nationwide, property values rose by 2% during the final three months of 2011, ahead of the UK-wide price rise of 0.3%. The increase in Swindon...

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Rugby stars kick-start £50,000 children’s appeal

December 29, 2011
By

Players past and present have launched a £50,000 appeal to boost the work of the Bath Rugby Foundation next year. David Flatman, Danny Grewcock and Matt Perry are among those to have pledged their support to help raise funds and promote the Foundation. Established in 2003, it works with children from all backgrounds across...

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Firms are missing out on help with research costs, survey shows

December 29, 2011
By
09_business_research_a

Many West entrepreneurs are missing out on Government-funded help with research and development costs, with just one in 20 claiming the tax relief in the region and 15% unaware it exists. Research and development (R&D) tax relief is potentially available to any business carrying out technological advancements in products or processes, although this can...

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