Highly-acquisitive Chippenham-based speciality pharmaceutical company Alliance Pharma has hit the takeover trail again, snapping up eye care products firm MacuVision Europe for £5.5m. MacuVision sells MacuShield, a once-a-day capsule eye care treatment taken by sufferers of dry age-related macular degeneration and other eye conditions. In the year to March 31 Solihull-based MacuVision made earnings...
The South West Innovative Manufacturing forum (SWIM) has been relaunched after the regional office of accountancy and business advisory firm BDO forged a new collaboration with Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking. Lloyds Bank has joined founders BDO and existing partner EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, to drive forward the regional initiative that promotes and celebrates the...
Swindon badly needs new commercial buildings to keep up with spiralling demand from occupiers linked to electrification of the Great Western railway and the wider economic recovery, according to property experts. The town’s commercial property market enjoyed a strong recovery in 2014 after several years in the doldrums – with both office and industrial...
Sales have grown rapidly at Synergy Health, the Swindon-based international medical sterilisation group, ahead of its acquisition by a major US healthcare firm for £1.2bn. In a trading update to the London Stock Exchange, Synergy said its revenue for the nine months to December 28 increased by 5.7% to £303.1m. Stripping out the impact...
Firms in the Swindon area are being urged to enter one of the region’s top award schemes showcasing excellence and enterprise in business. The prestigious Institute of Directors’ South West Director of the Year Awards 2015 seek to recognise outstanding business people and focus UK-wide attention on success in the region. Award nominations are...
A breakfast meeting to celebrate apprenticeships in the Swindon area and demonstrate how they can boost business is being held later this month. Employers will have the opportunity at the event to learn about how apprenticeships can help their organisation. They can also find out more about progression opportunities onto higher level apprenticeships to...
Chris Blackwell, the chief executive of Chippenham-based drug development firm Vectura, is to step down after 12 years in the job. Dr Blackwell, pictured, joined the firm before its Initial Public Offering (IPO) and has led the company to its current position as a leader in the treatment of airways diseases. The firm,...
Swindon businesses are being urged to explore the benefits of doing business in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by taking part in a trade mission to the fast-growing country. UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) South West will be leading a visit to the capital Dubai from March 13 to 20 to enable businesses to...
Royal Wootton Bassett-based sawmill Vastern Timber has promoted Tom Barnes from director to managing director as the family-owned firm adopts a more formal management structure ready for anticipated growth. Established in in 1904, Vastern Timber is owned and run by three members of the Barnes family – Peter, Jon and Tom – representing the...
Improving the connections between the north and south of Swindon town centre is among the projects the region’s leading business organisation Business West wants addressed by the next Government. It also wants to see an improvement in higher education opportunities in Wiltshire. Business West, which runs the Swindon and Wiltshire Initiative, has launched its...
