The FinTech sector in the South West contributes more than £1bn to the regional economy annually and supports a workforce of nearly 19,000 in more than 190 firms, according to new analysis. The report published by Whitecap Consulting, the regional strategy consultancy with a base in Bristol, reveals the South West’s core FinTech strengths...
A boost to its order book and a strategic move to more profitable product lines means defence manufacturer Avon Protection faces a brighter future, its directors have told shareholders. The Melksham-based group, which specialises in protective gear, masks and breathing equipment for the military and first-responder markets, has been recovering from a tough period during...
Four Bath area hotels have triumphed in one of the sector’s most coveted awards schemes. The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, No.15 by Guesthouse, Bath, and Homewood Hotel were among the winners at The Boutique Hotelier Awards, the annual celebration of resilience and innovation in the UK hotel industry....
A home delivery meal business has recycled more than 15m of its plastic food trays in just two years through its world-first, closed-loop system. Wiltshire Farm Foods, part of Trowbridge-based apetito, the UK’s leading food producer for the health and social care sector, introduced the scheme in 2021. Under the ‘boomerang’ initiative, thought to...
Renewable power firm Good Energy has taken to the small screen to urge homeowners to choose the greener option with one of its heat pumps. A 20-second ad, pictured, produced for the firm and voiced by soul singer and songwriter Lemar features an animation of a deflating home with the question ‘heating letting your home down?’...
A landmark office building on the edge of Bath city centre could be demolished and replaced by a major hotel under a scheme drawn up by a London-based real estate developer. Beazer House on Lower Bristol Road, which was built in the 1960s for the housing company of the same name, is “nearing the...
Each week Bath accountancy firm Pearson May teams up with Bath Business News to bring you the top national finance stories. 12m self-assessment customers at risk of scams HMRC warns customers to be cautious. Click here for more information. Mileage rates leave workers out of pocket, warns ATT HMRC rates will reimburse employees for business travel. Find out...
The corporate team from South West law firm Thrings has advised on the sale of a business designing and manufacturing products at the cutting edge of acoustic material technology. Acoustic Polymers, which has been acquired by cork and rubber materials manufacturer Tiflex, specialises in high-performance polymeric-based materials used in subsea environmental protection for blue-chip...
Financial Planner and digital advice specialist Hugh Johnson has been appointed to the wealth management team of South West accountancy and finance group Old Mill. Hugh, pictured, joins Old Mill, which has offices in Chippenham, Wells, Yeovil and Exeter, from tax, wealth and estates planners Fry Group, where he was global head of operations responsible for integrating the firm’s...
A former director of Meta, the tech conglomerate that owns Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp, is to join the board of Bath-based global media group Future as a non-executive director. Ivana Kirkbride, who held director positions in both product marketing and content strategy & acquisitions at Meta, has spent her career in content-led, digital media businesses. She...
