The United Nations’ theme this year for International Women's Day on 8 March is ‘For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment’. It is a rallying cry for the world to advance women’s and girls’ rights, promote gender equality and foster empowerment by ensuring access to education, employment, leadership and decision-making. UK charity People...
Businesses in Bath are being consulted on proposed changes to the way their waste is collected, including mandatory use of reusable bags or bins that must also be labelled with the business’s name. In addition, Bath & North East Somerset Council (B&NES) is proposing to alter evening collections times for business waste. The council...
The future of an historic Bath paper mill that started production more than 225 years ago has been secured following its acquisition by a major German company. Portals Paper, which operates Bashford Paper Mill, said the takeover by Drewsen Spezialpapiere provided it with new opportunities for growth by widening its product range and generating...
Biotechnology firm Advetec has appointed a customer success director as it seeks to strengthen client relationships, drive value and pursue further growth. Will Garrard has joined Advetec, based near Trowbridge, from KEW Technology, a Midlands-headquartered developer of sustainable energy systems, where he was operations director. Will, pictured, has held several senior management and operational...
Private equity investment in the South West increased marginally last year to £6.2bn as a near 33% increase ahead of the Autumn Budget overcame a slow first half. Deal volume in the region also remained stable, edging down slightly from 104 to 100 year-on-year, according to a survey by global accountancy firm KPMG. This...
Business confidence has risen sharply in the South West as the region’s firms shrug off suggestions that UK economic growth is stalling. According to the latest Business Barometer from banking group Lloyds, optimism among South West companies climbed by 13 percentage points in January. Confidence in their own business prospects was up 20 points...
Strong performances by its scar treatment, eye health and multivitamin brands helped international healthcare group Alliance Pharma overcome weaker sales of some of its other products last year. The Chippenham-headquartered firm, which owns a portfolio of products ranging menopause relief to anti-dandruff shampoo, said the resulting 1% drop in revenue did not reflect its...
Recent contracts wins in the UK and US have strengthened specialist defence manufacturer Avon Technologies’ long-term order book and boosted its growth plans, shareholders were told today. The Melksham-based group, which specialises in protective gear, masks and breathing equipment for the military and first-responder markets, said first quarter trading had been in line with...
Investment into small and mid-sized business by growth finance group BGF’s South West office fell last year by around £10m as it came up against what it called “several economic uncertainties”. BGF, the largest and most experienced investor in the UK and Ireland, completed deals totalling £60m during 2024 against £70m the previous year. ...
The role that cities and regions can play in driving the government’s growth agenda will be explored at a major event next week. Festival of Flourishing Regions will bring together policymakers, regional planners, economic development experts, academics and business and community leaders to explore and promote strategies for regional prosperity. Sessions will cover university...
