The first major event staged by the Western Gateway economic partnership takes place next month to bring together key figures from business, academia and local and national government on both sides of the Severn to explore the potential of the cross–border powerhouse. Called Green Growth within the Western Gateway, the day-long conference will discuss...
Pioneering pharmaceutical firm Vectura is planning to develop a major research and development centre of excellence as it looks for further global growth opportunities under new owner, tobacco group Philip Morris International (PMI). The Chippenham-headquartered group, which was controversially acquired by PMI for £1.1bn last September, says the centre, pictured, on the Bristol & Bath...
Bath’s construction and manufacturing businesses will be able to boost their employees’ green skills as part of a new scheme backed by the West of England Combined Authority. More than 100 firms across the region are being invited to take part in the 18-month Skills for Clean Growth programme to equip their workers with the...
The US Defense Logistics Agency has awarded a five-year contract worth up to $204m (£150m) to defence manufacturing group Avon Protection for its second-generation Advanced Combat Helmet. The contract includes a one-year base period with a maximum value of $46m, plus four further one-year extension options. Melksham-based Avon, which specialises in protective gear, masks...
More than six tons of laptops, PCs and other tech items have been saved from landfill, thanks to a scheme started in lockdown to redistribute unwanted devices to schools and charities. Community interest company Wiltshire Digital Drive asked for donations to help students with their learning and to provide technology to those who otherwise...
The founder of Bath-based glasses designer and manufacturer Inspecs Group has said it remains on course to become a global brand despite problems linked to the pandemic. Robin Totterman, pictured, the former bond trader who launched the business in 1988, told shareholders in a trading update that its performance last year, despite Covid-19 restrictions,...
Harbourside, the South West’s newest corporate finance boutique, has completed its first significant deal – helping a specialist UK roof tile firm on its sale to a major Belgian supplier. Harbourside was spun out of regional accountancy firm Milsted Langdon, which has an office in Bath, last November. Its team was brought in by...
Defence manufacturing group Avon Protection today sought to put a “challenging” 2021 behind it by stressing its revenues were now ahead of the same time last year while it was also tackling its supply chain issues. The Melksham-headquartered group, which specialises in protective gear, masks and breathing equipment for the military and first-responder...
The takeover of a high-profile Bath business helped dealmakers from accountancy firm Deloitte’s regional mergers & acquisitions team complete a record number 17 deals last year. The total number, with a collective value of just under £2bn, was almost double that of 2020, when the team completed nine. Eight of the deals were within...
Investments by the South West team of growth finance group BGF passed the £100m mark for the first time last year as it continued its strong run of funding ambitious businesses. The team injected £115m of equity into firms in 2021 – a 72% increase on 2020’s total and more than three times that...
