The long-awaited devolution deal giving the West of England a £1bn boost for investment in infrastructure and skills has been announced by Chancellor George Osborne. The move would represent a major change, transferring decisions on transport, investment, funding, skills training, business support, housing and strategic planning from Westminster. But the package of measures, which...
National business leaders welcomed a number of moves in this afternoon’s Budget, particularly those aimed at helping small firms. But there was concern over how the Chancellor will meet his deficit reduction target. The CBI called it a “stable Budget” for business facing global stormy waters. Director-general Carolyn Fairbairn said: “The Chancellor has listened...
Measures to help small firms in Chancellor George Osborne’s Budget this afternoon were immediately welcomed by Bath’s business community and business advisors. Phil Smith, pictured right, managing director of Business West – the organisation that runs the Bath Chamber of Commerce - said the Chancellor had delivered what will be remembered as a “thin...
Chancellor started speaking at 12:34 He opened by saying he will report on an economy growing faster than any other major economy and a deficit falling each year and on course for a budget surplus. Economy was strong because he did not support short-term fixes. But he warned world economy is weak. "In this...
Chancellor George Osborne’s Budget tomorrow is being overshadowed by the EU referendum, says Bath Chamber of Commerce executive director Ian Bell. But the contents of the famous red box will still be important for local firms. “This might be the quietest Budget in living memory. With the political headlines monopolised by the EU referendum,...
Bath’s outstanding entrepreneurs and business leaders have less a week to enter the region’s top awards scheme that recognises excellence and enterprise in the boardroom. The annual Institute of Directors’ South West Director of the Year Awards showcase the wealth of executive talent in the region. Bath Business News is once again backing the...
Bath’s start-ups and young entrepreneurial businesses can book themselves onto a flight path for growth across the UK and into Europe under a new scheme launched this week offering free airline tickets. Seats for Start Ups – a partnership between bmi regional, UK Trade & Investment and the Engine Shed innovation hub in Bristol...
Somerset-based luxury fashion brand Mulberry has appointed former Dyson Group finance chief Neil Ritchie as group finance director as it continues on its recovery from several loss-making years. Mr Ritchie takes up his new role at the group, best known for its designer leather bags, on May 16. Existing group finance director Roger Mather...
Bath-based global engineering group Rotork this week said it saw opportunities for it to increase its market share despite a 28% fall in annual pre-tax profits caused by tough trading conditions. The group, which makes highly specialised valves for the international oil and gas industries, also said a cost management programme introduced last year...
Barbara Davies, chief executive of the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), says that collaborative working between business and education are essential to maintain growth and productivity in the longer term. Businesses in the West of England continue to face the challenge of a skills gap, impacting on growth and stifling productivity and...
