Rural broadband provider TrueSpeed has appointed Paul Burridge as chief financial officer as it continues to accelerate its expansion ambitions. Paul, pictured, has wide experience in scaling high-growth businesses and joins the Bath-based firm with more than two decades of experience in senior finance roles, from start-ups to major blue chips. He previously worked...
An eight-point checklist to help owner-managers deal with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on their businesses has been launched by the South West arm of insolvency and restructuring trade body R3. The organisation’s members, who include insolvency practitioners, lawyers, and turnaround and restructuring experts, work with business owners to mitigate and resolve financial...
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...
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,...
University of Bath academics have designed a 3D-printed precision microscope that will enable laboratories across the world to analyse samples and detect diseases for a fraction of the cost of traditional commercial versions. The OpenFlexure Microscope, pictured, is a fully automated, laboratory-grade instrument with motorised sample positioning and focus control – and can...
TrueSpeed, the rural broadband provider, is heading for a new growth phase by targeting businesses after recruiting Henry West to its executive team as commercial director. Henry, pictured, is tasked with evolving the Keynsham-based firm’s direct business sales strategy and developing plans for a wholesale offering, including appointing IT resellers and other service providers. ...
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...
The devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic on businesses in the West of England has been highlighted again in the results of two more surveys – with one showing two-thirds of firms suffered a fall in orders while the second reveals productivity is down at 80% of the region’s small manufacturers. Unsurprisingly, confidence levels...
