Green/sustainable business

Export Academy set up to give Swindon firms help selling to overseas markets

January 8, 2021
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Export Academy set up to give Swindon firms help selling to overseas markets

Swindon’s small businesses can access help and advice to grow internationally through a new, free, post-Brexit programme. The Export Academy involves overseas trade experts from the Department for International Trade (DIT) hosting a series of online workshops and events offering advice and support directly to business owners.  The programme has been designed for businesses...

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Former World Bank lead economist to become next chair of alternative regional lender SWIG Finance

January 6, 2021
By
SWIG

Malachy McReynolds, the chair of regional alternative finance lender SWIG Finance, is to step down in March after five years in the role. He will be replaced by Christine Allison, a former lead economist for the World Bank, who has been a non-executive director of SWIG Finance for the past three-and-a-half years. During that...

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New ‘body blow’ for Swindon businesses as UK enters third national lockdown

January 5, 2021
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New ‘body blow’ for Swindon businesses as UK enters third national lockdown

The latest lockdown will be another “body blow” to Swindon firms, coming after the uncertainty caused by Brexit and lost trade in the run-up to Christmas, the region’s biggest business group warned today. Business West, which runs the Swindon & Wiltshire Initiative, said firms that had survived so far with Covid-related support from the...

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2030 net zero carbon goal adopted by Business West – with a vow to help firms reach same target

December 23, 2020
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2030 net zero carbon goal adopted by Business West – with a vow to help firms reach same target

Business West, the region’s largest business organisation, is aiming to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030 and has introduced three new steps to help it – and firms across the South West – reach the ambitious target. The organisation, which runs the Swindon and Wiltshire Initiative and represents 23,000 businesses across the region,...

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Survey shows region’s high-growth firms adapting to new normal to resume expansion

December 21, 2020
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Survey shows region’s high-growth firms adapting to new normal to resume expansion

More than two-thirds of high-growth firms in the South West plan to continue to expand next year after adapting for a post-Covid world, new research shows. According to the first survey to chart these businesses during the coronavirus pandemic it has created significant barriers to growth for 58% of South West firms, with operational...

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Government financial support for locked down firms covered just quarter of their costs, survey shows

December 13, 2020
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Government financial support for locked down firms covered just quarter of their costs, survey shows

West of England Firms have slammed government financial support for businesses forced to close during the most recent lockdown as grossly inadequate. Some 54% of businesses that were shuttered during November – including restaurants, cafes and non-essential retailers – said the financial assistance covered less than a quarter of their overheads, a new survey...

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Brexit confusion continues for third of firms as UK-EU talks go down to the wire

December 8, 2020
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Brexit confusion continues for third of firms as UK-EU talks go down to the wire

A third of South West firms still do not know if they will be impacted by Brexit with less than four weeks to go to the end of the UK-EU transition period, according to a new survey. At the same time 46% are worried that Brexit could have a bigger impact on them than...

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Reboot for Business West’s online Brexit advice hub as clock ticks down to end of transition period

November 26, 2020
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Reboot for Business West’s online Brexit advice hub as clock ticks down to end of transition period

The award-winning Trading Through Brexit service run by Business West has been relaunched to help companies make crucial last-minute adjustments to the way they operate ahead of the end of the UK-EU transition period. Regardless of whether or not a deal is reached between UK and EU negotiators ahead of deadline on December 31,...

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Chancellor’s Spending Review: Swindon business reaction

November 26, 2020
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Chancellor’s Spending Review: Swindon business reaction

Business West, which runs the Swindon & Wiltshire Initiative, was disappointed with the lack of capital investment promised by the government for the West of England. Policy manager Claire Ralph said: “Some minor funding has been allocated to the West of England Combined Authority for local transport improvements through the Transforming Cities Fund. “Elsewhere...

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Chancellor’s Spending Review: National business reaction

November 25, 2020
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Chancellor’s Spending Review: National business reaction

Business groups have welcomed the investment in infrastructure and jobs in Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Spending Review but said many firms still needed more help from the government. The CBI praised the Chancellor for making “some bold autumn decisions” to power a spring recovery even as the stark forecasts pointed to tough times ahead. But...

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