Swindon and Wiltshire can develop a vibrant and innovative manufacturing sector based on high-growth areas such as renewable energy and waste, sustainable materials and biosciences, according to a major new report. The area’s Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has drawn up a ‘2026’ vision for a thriving economy which emphasises the benefits brought by a...
Ambitious Swindon and Wiltshire businesses were today urged to bid for a share of a £200m investment pot – the latest phase of the Government’s Regional Growth Fund (RGF). Firms applying for round six of the RGF, launched today by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, will be following in the footsteps of businesses such...
Good Energy, the fast-growing, Chippenham-based renewable electricity supplier, has started producing and exporting electricity to the national grid from its first solar farm in Dorset. The 5MW site is Good Energy’s first solar farm and will generate enough electricity for around 1,300 homes. Planning permission for the site was received at the end of...
The Brunel shopping centre in Swindon has become one of only a few retail schemes in the UK to gain silver status in the Green Achiever scheme which is designed to help businesses boost their green credentials and reduce their environmental impact. The 550,000 sq ft centre, which gained the award at the first...
Swindon-based construction group Beard and Chippenham green energy pioneer Good Energy are among the six finalists competing for the coveted title of West of England Business of the Year. Beard missed out on what is widely-regarded as the region’s most-prestigious business accolade last year while, for Good Energy, it is the fast-growing firm’s first...
Eleven firms have received grant funding worth a total of £348,000 from the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to spur their growth and boost employment. According to the LEP, the funding – the second round of its Gateway for Growth grant scheme – will inject £10m into the local economy and create...
Waste management company Grist Group is targeting growth after making a number of investments in the business including new plant, machinery and land. The Devizes business has recently installed one of the UK’s largest baling machines to compress recycled material so that it can be transported more efficiently. It has also acquired the Chivers...
The Pitch, one of the UK’s longest-running competitions for small business owners, has opened for applications for the seventh year. Founded in by West-based BusinessZone.co.uk and UK Business Forums, it has helped thousands of entrepreneurs secure top-class business support and access to investors. Having been launched as a local event in the city, it...
A trade mission to China to help unlock opportunities for small and medium-sized West businesses has been announced by UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) South West. While China is well known as the world’s fastest-growing major economy, with growth rates averaging around 10% over the past 30 years, and the largest exporting nation, it...
BGF, the independent company established to help Britain’s growing businesses, has promoted two members of its West-based investment team. Ned Dorbin has been promoted to investment director and Edwin Davies to investment manager. The BGF investment team in Bristol, which covers the South West of England and South Wales and is led by regional director...
