Swindon businesses have been urged to engage with their local communities to create programmes that help disadvantaged jobseekers into employment. The call to action came from a meeting of some of the South West’s most influential executives hosted by Business in the Community (BITC). The event drew on existing programmes that support inclusive employment...
Small Businesses group the FSB is to boost its grassroots lobbying activity in Swindon and across the South West after appointing a new-look senior team. Roger Tarrant, pictured right, previously one of the FSB’s branch chairman in the region, has become the first holder of the new wider role of regional chair for the...
Outstanding business leaders and entrepreneurs from the Swindon area are being urged to enter the region’s top awards recognising excellence in the boardroom. Launched this week, the Institute of Directors South West Director of the Year Awards 2018 showcase the wealth of executive talent and leadership across the region. New categories have been added...
Firms in Swindon and across Wiltshire are being invited to have their say about university-level courses in the area. The Swindon & Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has identified the need for a higher skilled workforce in the area to meet a growing number of jobs requiring degrees or equivalent qualifications. The LEP has...
Swindon firms considering doing business in China this year – or those already trading there – are being urged to take part in the region’s largest Chinese New Year reception and banquet. Organised by the Bristol & West of England China Bureau, the event brings together business leaders, key figures from the Chinese business...
Specialty pharmaceutical firm Alliance Pharma has completed the acquisition of pesticide-free head lice treatment Vamousse, sending its shares to their highest-ever level. The Chippenham-based firm, which buys underperforming drugs brands and realises their potential through investment, said the deal – announced on December 4 – had been approved by shareholders in Vamousse’s parent...
Ian Larrard, director of the Swindon & Wiltshire Initiative, Business West, looks back at the highs and lows of 2017 for the area. After a dramatic 2016, many of us were perhaps expecting 2017 to be something like the morning after the night before, and for businesses facing up to the realities of...
The CBI has appointed Susan Davy, chief financial officer of environmental infrastructure group Pennon Group, as the next chair of its South West region. Susan, pictured right, will replace Andrew Livingston, CEO of Yeovil-based DIY and building equipment supplier Screwfix, who is leaving the post early. Andrew, pictured below, took over the role for...
Alliance Pharma, the specialty pharmaceutical company, has made its second acquisition in less than a week, snapping up pesticide-free head lice treatment Vamousse for $13m (£9.6m). The Chippenham-based firm, which buys underperforming drugs brands and realises their potential through investment, said the acquisition of Vamouse, like that of anaesthetic gel Ametop last week for...
Workers at Honda’s Swindon plant have been praised for helping the Civic Type R win three honours in the coveted BBC TopGear Magazine Car of the Year awards. The Type R – which has a top speed of 169mph and can do the 0-62mph sprint in just 5.7 seconds – picked up the ‘hot...
