The Government this week officially launched its new Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) to bolster the UK’s manufacturing sector. One of the four partner organisations in the consortium behind the MAS is SWMAS Limited, which formerly provided help for manufacturers in Swindon and across the West of England. Here its managing director Simon Howes offers...
The organisation that formerly provided help for West of England manufacturers has been officially named as part of a consortium that will now deliver the service on a national basis. SWMAS, originally the South West Manufacturing Advisory Service and more recently MAS-SW, has teamed up with accountants Grant Thornton, consultancy Pera and the WM...
A concerted effort is needed to tackle the serious imbalances which sparked the UK’s legacy of debt and faltering growth, CBI director-general John Cridland says today in his New Year message. While there are no quick fixes for the UK economy, this offers the best chance of securing a better, brighter future for all...
As Swindon firms prepare for what is expected to be another challenging year in 2012, business organisation GWE Business West is urging them to actively consider exporting as an effective way of attracting much-needed new customers. Ian Larrard, director of the GWE Initiative In Swindon & Wiltshire, said: “The beginning of a New Year...
Inflation fell from 5% to 4.8% last month, raising hopes that price rises may have peaked while offering a rare snippet of positive economic news. Economists are forecasting a significant drop in inflation next year, with one today predicting it will “fall like a stone” from now on. The Office for National Statistics (ONS)...
The Bath office of Target Accountants, which went into administration last week, has been bought by Bishop Fleming, the accountancy firm with the widest spread of offices in the South West. The move has saved the jobs of three partners and more than 40 jobs at Target, whose offices in Bath, Reading and Rugby...
Two arms of major West chartered accountants Target – including its Bath office – have gone into pre-pack administration following £6m of claims relating to the collapse of UK life settlements firm Keydata Investment Services in June 2009. Target, a Top 50 accountancy firm with clients in Swindon, is among firms being pursued by...
Thamesdown Transport has taken top spot at the UK Bus Awards, gaining the titles of UK Bus Operator of the Year as well as Top Shire Operator. The Swindon-based, publicly-owned company beat Lothian Buses, based in Scotland, in a very close contest to win the top award. The awards, now in their 16th year,...
Chancellor George Osborne has delivered his Autumn Statement. Here are the key points: BUSINESS Credit easing programme to underwrite up to £40bn in low-interest loans to small and medium-sized firms £1bn business finance partnership to help secure funding for medium-sized firms Regional Growth regeneration fund to get £1bn in extra funding £250m support package...
House prices have inched up by a better-than-predicted 0.4% this month, according to Swindon-based Nationwide building society, but they are expected to ease again over the next 12 months as activity remains subdued. The month-on-month rise is the third straight monthly increase. In a year-on-year basis, the increase was 1.6%, beating a forecast of...
