Wiltshire specialist personal and commercial insurance broker Advance Insurance Agencies has been acquired by a fast-growing national group. Under the takeover by Jensten Group, Westbury-based Advance – which has an office in Swindon – will now form a centre of excellence for specialist personal lines, enabling Jensten to offer an expanded service to clients of its Coversure franchises and wholly owned broking operation....
The CBI said Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s decision to hike Corporation Tax to 25% in one leap – the first increase since 1974 – would “cause a sharp intake of breath” for many businesses. It also warned that the move – which is planned to come into effect in 2023 – sent a worrying signal to those...
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has delivered his Budget this afternoon. The main points are: No rise in VAT, income tax or national insurance Corporation tax to rise from 19% to 25% from 2023 but only 10% largest companies will pay, Chancellor claims Two-year ‘super deduction’ in tax for companies that invest in innovation Eight ‘Freeports’ established...
Swindon businesses will be able to learn how to boost their online overseas sales from successful women in eCommerce at a virtual conference next week. The free ‘Women in Global eCommerce’ event on Tuesday is being hosted by the Department for International Trade (DIT) in collaboration with Business West, the organisation behind the Swindon...
The Covid pandemic continues to hit business activity and household spending in the UK and the rest of the world. Restrictions put in place to contain the pandemic’s spread are causing many businesses to sell fewer of their goods and services. Some businesses are unable to sell at all. Even though the available evidence...
A specialist banking and finance team led by Swindon-headquartered law firm Bristol office has secured a £50m investment to roll out gigabit-capable broadband services across Cornwall. The funding will support Cornish internet service provider Wildanet’s growth plans by substantially expanding its network across the county. Redruth-based Wildanet was launched in 2017 by chief executive...
Business confidence among South West firms has slumped to the lowest in England as the latest lockdown pushes sales down further and puts more pressure on staffing levels. Just 11% for businesses in the region expect trading levels to have returned to pre-pandemic levels by this time next year while one-in-five expect to have...
PwC, the Global accountancy group, has promoted five senior managers into director roles in its West & Wales practice and hired a sixth as it continues its investment in the region. The group, which covers from the region from offices in Bristol and Cardiff, has also made 15 promotions to senior manager and 34...
Investment group BGF’s South West team overcame challenges sparked by the coronavirus pandemic to invest a record amount last year. Some £67m was injected into businesses in 2020 – up on the £37m achieved in 2019 and overtaking the previous record of £50m in 2018. The new investments take BGF’s total funding in the...
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has been urged to extend business rates relief beyond its March 31 cut-off point to avoid further pressure on firms struggling from lockdown restrictions. The call has come from Business West, the region’s largest business group and the organisation behind the Swindon & Wiltshire Initiative. Businesses in the retail, hospitality and...
