The number of businesses expecting to recruit more staff has almost returned to the pre-recession levels of 2007 new figures released today show. But while the data is welcome news for job seekers, some business analysts are warning that it could signal looming skills shortages. The latest Business Trends report by accountants and business...
Annual financial results at 1pm, the Bath-based specialist lender to small and medium-sized firms, are expected to be slightly ahead of market expectations following its fourth consecutive year of organic growth, it said yesterday. The firm, quoted on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM market, said in a trading update demand for finance from SMEs...
The South West is outperforming most other UK regions for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in a highly-competitive for market, according to research published this week. The region achieved a 44% increase in the number of FDI projects last year, going from 15 to 27 – the highest number since 2010. Although London remained...
West of England chartered accountants Monahans’ new, highly-responsive website has gone live with the promise of a step change in the way existing and potential clients interact with the firm. The site – www.monahans.co.uk – offers new functionality and regular features with a greater focus on the sectors that Monahans works in, including manufacturing,...
Bath-based 1pm, the specialist lender to small firms, has received another £4m to write new business to meet ever-growing demand. The firm secured £2.5m from its banks in April and over the past year has raised a total of £11.3m. The latest funding is made up of a new £3m facility and an increase...
A founding partner of Bath-based wealth management firm Epoch has joined an elite group of UK financial planners by becoming a fellow of two leading professional bodies. Dr Markas Gilmartin, pictured, is one of only 80 fellows of the Institute of Financial Planning (IFP), having recently gained a masters degree in financial planning and...
Accountancy and financial advice firm Grant Thornton has appointed Paul Rodwell as the new head of financial services advisory for the South West. Paul, pictured, joined Grant Thornton’s financial services group last year as part of its acquisition of Navigant Financial Services UK and brings with him a broad range of experience in advisory...
Café group Friska, which was launched by two University of Bath graduates, has been named as one of the UK’s 50 fastest-growing and innovative businesses. Economics graduates Griff Holland and Ed Brown started Friska in 2009 in Bristol and it has since grown from one to four restaurants around the city, including at the...
A new fund focusing on investing in the Bath area’s early stage tech businesses is to be launched by Technology Venture Partners, a new independent venture capital fund manager based in the region. Technology Venture Partners is to start the fund to run alongside YFM Equity Partners’ closed South West Ventures Fund, which it...
Nursery group Snapdragons, which started in a farmhouse near Melksham in 1998, is to open its eighth site after securing a £850,000 finance package with HSBC’s Wiltshire Commercial team. The new nursery, Snapdragons first in Bristol, will open in the summer in the converted Grade II listed Old Chapel in the Horfield. It will...
