Outsourced human resources consultancy The HR Dept is partnering with small business support specialist Cool Ventures to provide free advice for Bath firms under a regional business initiative. The scheme, which runs until next March, provides a range of free business support to SMEs and individuals based in Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire needing...
Manufacturers in the South West face a tough year ahead with the sector expected to contract in the face of a deteriorating economic outlook at home and abroad, according to a new survey. The region’s manufacturing businesses are ending 2022 on a low, having suffered falling orders and a cutback in recruitment. But results...
The University of Bath’s car-of-the-future research centre is driving ahead with a pioneering project that could help put zero-emission hydrogen-powered aircraft into commercial use. The Institute of Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems (IAAPS) has teamed up with aircraft parts manufacturer GKN Aerospace to develop hydrogen technology aimed at decarbonising the aviation industry. They will work together on GKN Aerospace’s...
A new innovation and enterprise space has opened on the University of Bath’s campus to provide a space for student entrepreneurs, researchers and graduate start-ups to develop and share ideas for products and services. The E-Lab, pictured, which also offers access to support and mentoring, is a significant expansion of the university’s enterprise services,...
Defence manufacturing group Avon Protection has offloaded part of its US body armour business ahead of closing down the division to cut losses. The Melksham-based group, which specialises in protective gear, masks and breathing equipment for the military and first-responder markets, has sold the assets of the base in Kentucky to CoorsTek, a global manufacturer of...
The globally acclaimed University of Bath-supported business incubator SETsquared has bolstered the UK economy by £15.7bn since its launch 20 years ago, according to an independent report. SETsquared was set up in 2002 by a small group of research-intensive universities in the South of England, including Bath, with a mission is to help turn...
Confidence levels among South West firms about their prospects and those of the UK economy have unexpectedly increased, according to a new survey – although optimism remains far lower than it did just months ago. While confidence fell by four percentage points during October to minus 4%, last month it picked back up to plus 5%...
Bath-headquartered global engineering group Rotork has appointed a former senior independent director of the Bank of England as its next chair. Dorothy Thompson, pictured, who has wide experience on the boards of international energy businesses, joins the group as an independent non-executive director and chair designate. She will replace current chair Martin Lamb when...
Two highly experienced non-executive directors have joined the board of Bath-headquartered spectacles designer and manufacture just over a month after its shares went into freefall when it warned of slowing sales. Founder and CEO Robin Totterman has also moved to the role of executive chair while an existing non-executive takes over as CEO. The...
Firms in the Bath can ensure they are fit for the future by taking advantage of free support on offer under a Workforce for the Future programme. Staged by Business West, the region’s largest business organisation, Workforce for the Future provides fully funded, tailored and in-depth support for firms with fewer than 250 employees to...
