The first major event staged by the Western Gateway economic partnership takes place next month to bring together key figures from business, academia and local and national government on both sides of the Severn to explore the potential of the cross–border powerhouse. Called Green Growth within the Western Gateway, the day-long conference will discuss ways businesses,...
Wiltshire opticians Haine & Smith is thanking the generosity of individuals across who donated more than 1,600 pairs of glasses to help the homeless in a pilot scheme. The firm, which operates 20 practices, including in Swindon, Wroughton and Royal Wootton Bassett, partnered with regional homeless charity Alabaré in September to pilot a ‘pop-up’ eye-testing centre at...
More than six tons of laptops, PCs and other tech items have been saved from landfill, thanks to a Wiltshire-based scheme started in lockdown to redistribute unwanted devices to schools and charities. Community interest company Wiltshire Digital Drive asked for donations to help students with their learning and to provide technology to those who...
Communications agency founder Natalie Sherman has been named as one of the UK’s most inspirational and dynamic female entrepreneurs. Natalie, pictured, who launched Corsham-based social-first consultancy Naturally Social in 2015, is among the businesswoman in the f:Entrepreneur ‘#ialso100’ campaign. Staged by Small Business Britain, a leading champion of UK small firms, f:Entrepreneur was launched...
Investments by the South West team of growth finance group BGF passed the £100m mark for the first time last year as it continued its strong run of funding ambitious businesses. The team injected £115m of equity into firms in 2021 – a 72% increase on 2020’s total and more than three times that...
More than nine in 10 of mid-market businesses in the South West have adopted hybrid or remote working as a way of overcoming the impact of the pandemic – but many are struggling to make it a success, according to a new survey. Research by accountancy firm Grant Thornton reveals 92% of the region’s...
The South West office of LDC, the UK’s leading mid-market private equity firm, is to increase its support to businesses this year after completing transactions with a combined value of more than £280m in 2021. LDC, the private equity arm of Lloyds Banking Group, said it is aiming to invest in at least 100...
Bristol Airport has become only the second in the UK to open a purpose-built sensory room for passengers with autism, dementia or cognitive impairment. The room, pictured, provides a safe, private and interactive space where users with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) can feel relaxed when in unfamiliar surroundings. Made by specialist US firm Fun &...
Nearly three-quarters of tech firm executives in the South West put purpose before profits while just under 80% prioritise relationships over success, according to a new survey. The region also boasts a far higher number of female tech entrepreneurs than the national average – 36% against 22% for the UK as a whole, the...
More than three-quarters of manufacturing firms across the West of England have been affected by delays or other disruption when importing supplies or goods, according to the latest economic survey by the regions largest business group. Two-thirds of all importers have also been affected, triggering a fear among many firms that their prospects will...
