Accountancy firm Monahans, which has five offices in and around Bath, is encouraging the area’s manufacturers to have their say on the effect of the engineering skills gap as part of a major industry survey. The firm is backing the survey, which has been launched by MHA, the association of accountancy and business advisory...
Sales have started growing again at Chippenham-based speciality pharmaceutical firm Alliance Pharma, after a slight fall last year, its bosses said this week. The firm, which acquires and develops niche drugs, said in a trading update to shareholders that sales for the half year to June 30 were likely to reach £22.8m – up...
Ambitious plans for a new international automotive research centre led by the University of Bath have been revealed. The facility at the Bristol & Bath Science Park, along with more space for growing businesses and improved training provision for the UK composites sector, have been announced by a newly created steering committee set up to...
Bott, the workplace storage equipment firm, and Devon Air Ambulance Trust have won the PWC Business of the Year Awards – the South West’s most coveted business accolades. Bude-based Bott’s CEO Clive Woodward received his trophy for the £30m-plus turnover category from Mark Beard, chief executive of last year's winner, Swindon construction firm Beard....
Chippenham-based specialty pharmaceutical firm Alliance Parma has appointed Andrew Franklin as finance director. Andrew, pictured, joins the company in September 28 from Panasonic Europe, where he was general manager, European tax and accounting. From 2010 to 2012 he was finance director and company secretary of Genzyme Therapeutics, the UK & Ireland subsidiary of Genzyme...
Before the Budget Business West – the organisation that runs Bath Chamber of Commerce – called for a focus on infrastructure, exports and the skills gap. Managing director Phil Smith said today: “Our nation’s roads and apprentices got a cordial mention , international trade was almost utterly absent. “Also missing was a...
The CBI described today’s Budget as double-edged for business and branded the Chancellor’s flagship introduction of a National Living Wage of £7.20 next April as “a big gamble”. It also called the apprentice levy “a blunt tool” to force more businesses to take on trainees. Director-general John Cridland said: “Firms will welcome measures to...
Many of the measures in Chancellor George Osborne’s Summer Budget got a warm welcome from Bath business figures – particularly support for small businesses. Dominic Bourquin, corporate tax partner at Bath accountancy firm Monahans, said the Budget had been good for business and had taken away some of the uncertainty for employers, business owners...
Key points from the Budget: New National Living Wage of £7.20 for all workers aged over 25 to be introduced next April and to reach £9 an hour by 2020 Cuts in National Insurance for small firms to help them pay for living wage More devolution to Northern cities and to Midlands as well...
Confidence among West of England firms remains fragile despite a period of strong growth, according to the latest survey by Business West. The organisation, which runs Bath Chamber of Commerce, said the findings showed the need for the new Government to act to encourage sustainable growth. There was also a danger of further uncertainty...
