A Swindon-based firm supplying digital and tech services to farmers has been acquired by major Irish agri-services group Origin in deal worth up to £16.2m. Dorcan-based Resterra owns a number of businesses involved in soil testing, project and data management, software and technical advice to major farms across the UK and Southern Africa. Its...
Small business support group Enterprise Nation is to head west again to stage its flagship female-focused event, the Festival of Female Entrepreneurs. The event, the largest of its kind in the UK, has been held in Bristol since it was launched six years ago. Taking place this year on October 20, it will attract...
Swindon firms are being invited to attend the successful Bath Business Expo, which returns to the city this week. One of the region’s largest general business exhibitions, it offers unrivalled exhibition and networking opportunities for firms across the West of England. The Expo takes place on Thursday March 16 between 10am and 3pm in the...
Business West, the region’s largest business organisation, described Chancellor Philip Hammond’s Spring Budget as “underwhelming” but warned there were some measures that will make firms nervous. These included the National Insurance increase for the self-employed – which it feared could dampen entrepreneurship – and the impact of business rate rises, despite help for some...
Business organisation the CBI’s director-general Carolyn Fairbairn described today’s Budget as a “breakthrough for skills”. She said: “There has never been a more important time for the UK to sit at the global top table of technical education for young people. “Firms will be looking for ongoing partnership with the government as they try...
Chancellor Philip Hammond announced new funding to help the UK compete in science and innovation in his spring Budget, including: £300m for research talent, including 1,000 PhD places for STEM subjects £270m for robots, driverless cars and biotech £16m for a 5G mobile technology hub £200m for fibre broadband
Swindon businesses looking to expand into high-growth global markets will receive enhanced advice and support following the signing of four new international partnership agreements by Business West. The organisation, which runs the Swindon & Wiltshire Initiative, is the largest international trade support body in the South West. The four new agreements are with business bodies across China, India,...
The highly experienced judging panel for one of this year’s prestigious PwC West of England Business of the Year Awards has been announced. Among the judges are former winners of the award – widely regarded as the region’s top business accolade – as well as respected figures from the business community. Now in their...
Wiltshire is the most resilient and sustainable area of England, according to new analysis – but it lags behind many other parts of the country when it comes to inclusion, equality and prosperity. The county is ranked first out of 324 local authority areas for ‘resilience and sustainability’ in a major research project by...
Rural businesses across Swindon and Wiltshire targeting higher growth and innovation are being encouraged to apply for grants from a £3.9m fund secured by Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). The LEP sees the fund as a huge boost to the rural economy through job creation and driving growth. Rural businesses engaged in...
