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...
A £12m bid to build an iconic new art gallery and museum in Swindon town centre – and trigger development of a new cultural quarter – has been submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund. Swindon Museum and Art Gallery Trust, which is leading the bid process, has compiled nearly 800 pages of evidence to...
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...
Swindon film production company BALDnHAIRY has been awarded an official selection by Lift-Off Film Festival Global Network for its film EDGE, which will screen at the London Lift-Off this month. The film, which was selected for viewing from more than 3,000 global entrants, will be scored alongside other contenders by festival goers, with the...
Branding and design agency Bravedog is to become the first tenant to move into Swindon’s Carriage Works, the town’s long-awaited innovation hub for tech and creative businesses. The Carriage Works is being developed in phases in former railway workshops on Sheppard Street. The refurbishment of an initial 7,000 sq ft, which is taking place...
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...
Philip Hammond was a “cautious Chancellor doing his best in a tight spot” in the Budget, according to Phil Smith, managing director of Business West – the region’s largest business organisation which runs the Swindon & Wiltshire Initiative. He described Mr Hammond as playing a “weak hand with reasonable competence”, providing enough for his...
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...
Swindon’s ethical organisations – large and small – are being invited to enter the annual South West Fairtrade Business Awards. Now in their sixth year, the awards recognise the contribution that businesses, organisations and institutes in the region make in support of Fairtrade by buying certified Fairtrade products for the workplace and raising awareness...
The Marketing Centre, the UK’s leading provider of part-time marketing directors, has appointed John Courtney as its new regional director for the West Country & Wales. John, pictured, founded Strategy Digital, a 50-person digital marketing agency based in Bristol, which he sold to national firm Fat Media in 2015. He is known in the...
