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...
Swindon’s economy could benefit from aspects of the government’s long-awaited Industrial Strategy, announced this week, two key figures in the town’s business community have said. But there was also disappointment at the lack of detail in some of initiatives and a need for more engagement with the business community. Ian Larrard, director of the...
Alliance Pharma, the specialty pharmaceutical company, has acquired the rights to the anaesthetic gel Ametop from global medical firm Smith & Nephew for $7.5m (£5.5m). The Chippenham-based firm, which buys underperforming drugs brands and realises their potential through investment, said the deal would immediate boost its earnings. Ametop is a topical anaesthetic gel product...
Specialist pharmaceutical firm Vectura has appointed Juliet Thompson as an independent non-executive director with effect from December 1. Juliet, pictured, will also join the audit committee of the Chippenham-based firm, which makes innovative devices and formulation for inhaled airways diseases. Juliet has spent around 20 years working as an investment banker and strategic advisor...
Chancellor Philip Hammond’s support for the tech sector – a vital part of Swindon’s economy – in the Budget have been welcomed by regional business figures. Institute of Directors South West chair Nick Sturge, pictured, said: “We need to build on the strong network of clusters that are already working well in the regions, accelerating growing businesses by...
Chancellor Philip Hammond has presented the 2017 Budget. Here are the main points: Economy is ready for challenges that lie ahead Growth forecast is now 1.5% this year, 1.4% next year and 1.3% in 2019/20 against 2% this year, 1.6% next year and 1.7% in 2019. Inflation peaking at 3% in this quarter before...
Business West, the region’s largest business organisation, today called on Chancellor Philip Hammond to “be brave, but invest in the long term” in Wednesday’s Budget. The group, which runs the Swindon & Wiltshire Initiative, said businesses’ patience was wearing thin with a government that was failing to set the foundations of a post-Brexit economy. ...
Challenges linked to infrastructure, apprenticeships and Brexit were among the topics discussed by businesses when they met Chippenham MP Michelle Donelan at a roundtable staged by business services organisation Business West. With uncertainty still hanging over the government’s Brexit negotiations, businesses at the event emphasised the importance of agreeing a meaningful transitional deal with...
