Rachel Addison has been appointed to Bath media group Future’s board as chief financial officer as part of its successful acquisition of magazine group TI Media, which completed in April. Future said Rachel, pictured, who became TI Media’s chief finance officer two years ago, had a proven track record in driving, developing and delivering...
The coronavirus pandemic has dealt a severe blow to confidence levels among South West firms – with the region now the UK’s least optimistic, according to the gloomy results of another survey. Overall confidence slumped by 16 points during the past month to minus 51% – an unenviable record for Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking’s...
Bath creative businesses hit by the coronavirus pandemic are being offered extra support, including grants to spend on mentoring and specialist training. The additional help is being made through the West of England Combined Authority’s (WECA) Creative Scale Up programme. The scheme is already providing online peer and mentoring support to help businesses respond...
Bath-based media group Future has said quick action in March minimised the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on its finances as it unveiled another big jump in profits and sales. The firm, which now has around 150 titles following a spate of acquisitions, postponed a number of major events linked to its publications. It...
Business West, the region’s largest business organisation, is launching a series of expert webinars and virtual networking events to help small firms bounce back from the impact of the coronavirus crisis. The webinars will address key practical issues and challenges facing firms as lockdown measures are eased while the online networking sessions will enable...
One of the government’s boldest and most effective interventions during the coronavirus has been the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (or furlough scheme). It is also, undoubtedly, one of the most important for businesses. Many businesses have suffered a massive shock to income, and furloughing has offered an ability to keep outgoings to a minimum,...
Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s decision to extend the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to October will be a “huge relief” to firms in the West of England, according to the region’s largest business group. Business West, which runs Bath Chamber of Commerce, said its research showed the scheme, launched by Mr Sunak, pictured, in March,...
A Bath architectural firm responsible for working on some of the UK’s most historic houses and hotels has been bought by its employees. Simon Morray-Jones Architects was established more than 30 years ago by Simon Morray-Jones. Over that time, it has renovated and remodelled many listed and historic UK buildings as well as projects...
Bath luxury hotel Homewood is going ahead with its plans to open a new 10-bedroom lodge, outdoor kitchen and al fresco terrace this summer, despite the coronavirus pandemic. Owners Ian and Christa Taylor revealed the expansion to the 21-room hotel, pictured, in Freshford in January when they recruited a number of new staff, including...
Strong trade links with the US could help the West of England’s small firms recover from the impact of coronavirus, the region’s leading business group has suggested. Business West, which runs Bath Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the start of formal post-Brexit talks between the UK and US on a future free trade agreement and...
