Alliance Pharma, the Chippenham-based speciality pharmaceutical company, has started the search for a new finance director following the announcement that Richard Wright, who has been in the role for nearly eight years, is to leave. Mr Wright, pictured, who will remain at the highly-acquisitive company until May 31, is to pursue other interests, the...
Business West, the organisation behind Bath Chamber of Commerce, will continue to be responsible for helping firms across the West of England to export after being awarded the contract to run the UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) services in the region for another five years. Business West, which has held the contract for the...
Bath firms are greeting positive economic news, such as the latest fall in unemployment, with “faint alarm bells rather than celebratory cheers”, according to the region’s largest business organisation. Business West, which runs Bath Chamber of Commerce, said politicians should now focus on the “significant hurdles” that remained to achieving a lasting recovery. Today’s...
The South West Innovative Manufacturing forum (SWIM) has been relaunched after the regional office of accountancy and business advisory firm BDO forged a new collaboration with Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking. Lloyds Bank has joined founders BDO and existing partner EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, to drive forward the regional initiative that promotes and celebrates the...
Research from the University of Bath’s Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering has resulted in the UK’s first affordable straw homes going on sale this week. The houses are an affordable, low carbon and fuel-efficient means of housebuilding with fuel bills up 90% cheaper than an equivalent brick-built house. Part-desinged by Bath-based Integral Engineering...
South West tech firms are poised to grow at four times the rate of the economy this year, according to new research. Some 58% of the firms quizzed as part of Barclays’ Fast Growth Tech survey said they expect their business to grow by up to 10%, with 19% forecasting growth of between 10%...
Firms in the Bristol area are being urged to enter one of the region’s top award schemes showcasing excellence and enterprise in business. The prestigious Institute of Directors’ South West Director of the Year Awards 2015 seek to recognise outstanding business people and focus UK-wide attention on success in the region. Award nominations are...
Highly-acquisitive Chippenham-based speciality pharmaceutical company Alliance Pharma has hit the takeover trail again, snapping up eye care products firm MacuVision Europe for £5.5m. MacuVision sells MacuShield, a once-a-day capsule eye care treatment taken by sufferers of dry age-related macular degeneration and other eye conditions. In the year to March 31 Solihull-based MacuVision made earnings...
Chris Blackwell, the chief executive of Chippenham-based drug development firm Vectura, is to step down after 12 years in the job. Dr Blackwell, pictured, joined the firm before its Initial Public Offering (IPO) and has led the company to its current position as a leader in the treatment of airways diseases. The firm, which...
Bath businesses are being urged to explore the benefits of doing business in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by taking part in a trade mission to the fast-growing country. UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) South West will be leading a visit to the capital Dubai from March 13 to 20 to enable businesses to...
