Chippenham-based renewable energy firm Good Energy today formally called on its shareholders to reject a move by arch-rival Ecotricity to put two directors on its board as it announced the date of special meeting to resolve their increasingly bitter power struggle. Good Energy’s board used a note to shareholders alerting them of the meeting...
Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking has strengthened its support for medium-sized businesses in the West of England with the appointment of a new regional director. Andrew Kemp, pictured, joins the bank’s mid-markets team having previously led its acquisition finance loan management team in London. He brings with him more than 25 years of experience in...
By Donna Kehoe, Bank of England agent for the South West of England I always enjoy the conversations I have each day with those running businesses, charities and other organisations here in the South West. These discussions provide an up-to-the-minute insight into what’s really happening in the economy across the UK. And at the...
Swindon’s best tech businesses are being invited to enter a national awards scheme that celebrates innovation and growth among the sector’s fastest-growing firms. The 2017 Deloitte UK Technology Fast 50 Awards showcase the country’s dynamic technology ecosystem and the most exciting hi-tech companies. Now in their 20th year, the awards rank the UK’s...
Accountancy group EY has made two key promotions and a senior appointment in its regional financial services (FS) practice as it continues to expand across the South West and Wales. Gareth Mee has been appointed as partner while Shannon Ramnarine becomes an associate partner and Andy Roughan a director. Gareth leads EY’s FS advisory...
Confidence among West of England firms has plummeted to its lowest level since the depths of the recession in 2009, according to the latest survey of its members by Business West, the region’s largest business organisation. The number of businesses describing themselves as confident about their future slumped by 22% compared to the same...
Accountancy firm Grant Thornton has appointed Alistair Wardell as head of restructuring for the South of England – a role in which he aims to help Swindon area businesses reach their full potential. Alistair, pictured, brings more than 20 years’ experience to the job, most recently as practice leader in Grant Thornton’s Cardiff office. ...
Exporting firms based in the South West received support worth £3.2m from the government’s export credit agency UK Export Finance (UKEF) over the past year – helping them achieve overseas sales of more than £41m. The figures emerge from UKEF’s latest annual report. The agency works alongside the Department for International Trade (DIT) to...
Swindon-based industrial fastening firm Young Black has been acquired by international specialist engineering group Indutrade in a move that will help to secure its future. Young Black, which employs around 30 people at its base on Radway Road, Stratton St Margaret, will become part of Swedish group Indutrade’s special products division. Swindon-headquartered regional law...
Good Energy, the Chippenham-based renewable energy firm, has become embroiled in a power struggle with arch-rival Ecotricity that has sparked a surge of interest in the green sector. Ecotricity, 100% owned by hippie-turned-entrepreneur Dale Vince, pictured below, has amassed a 25.3% stake in Good Energy over the past year – and now wants Mr...
