West Midlands - The Business Magazine

Swindon fight back begins as it’s named most employee friendly city in UK

Giles Gwinnett — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 04:33:00 +0000

Swindon, which earlier this year was named as one of the most depressing towns in Britain, has picked itself up and dusted itself down, having now been named the most employee friendly city in the UK. A new study from Adobe Express compared 30 UK cities and looked at various factors affecting workers, including average annual salary, the price of a cappuccino and access to green space.

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Transport innovation in focus as TRIG 2024 winners unveiled

Giles Gwinnett — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 04:47:00 +0000

Winners of the government's Transport Research and Innovation Grant (TRIG) for 2024 have been announced, with 32 pioneering projects granted a share of £1.4 million to drive innovation and growth. Notably, this year, proposals were sought, which focused on local transport decarbonisation, maritime decarbonisation and emerging technologies such as AI and drones. "With sustainability at the core...

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Former Merlin Entertainments CEO takes up chairman role at NEC Group

Giles Gwinnett — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 04:35:00 +0000

The NEC Group, whose portfolio includes the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham, revealed that Sir Nick Varney had been appointed as its non-executive chairman with effect fromm September 1 this year. He brings considerable experience with over 30 years’ experience working in the tourism and leisure industry. Varney was CEO of Merlin Entertainments from its inception in 1999 to his...

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Gateley Legal bolsters national real estate team with McBride appointment

Giles Gwinnett — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 04:08:00 +0000

Gateley Legal said it has appointed Lee McBride as a partner at its Birmingham office, where he will enhance its environmental offering across the commercial and residential property sectors, as well as support on corporate transactions and regulatory matters. McBride brings over three decades' commercial real estate and environmental law experience and joins following three years with Lodders...

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Coventry's FarGo Village records highest footfall in a single day

Nicky Godding — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 01:46:00 +0000

Coventry’s vibrant Creative Quarter recorded its highest ever footfall for a single day during its tenth birthday celebrations and raised a significant sum for a local charity. FarGo Village’s Big Birthday Weekender attracted 12,235 visitors on September 28 to mark a decade since the industrial site was converted into a haven for creative independent businesses and events by regeneration...

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Corporate advisers survey shows continued rise in SME confidence

Nicky Godding — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 10:00:44 +0000

A survey from leading alternative lender Thincats, which canvassed opinions into activity among UK lower mid-market companies from more than 100 leading debt advisors, has revealed a boost in confidence over the last six months. Market activity is continuing to pick up following a challenging number of years, the survey found. While there is a general sense of positivity, everyone'

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Meriden Financial Planning appoints new director

Daniel Face — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 03:31:00 +0000

Meriden Financial Planning in Stourbridge, West Midlands has appointed Eleanor Jordan as its first female director. Eleanor joined the business in January 2023, taking an active interest in updating and streamlining the firm’s systems and processes in addition to her advisory role. She now joins fellow directors Richard Oliver and Richard Chapman, as well as the firm’s managing director...

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Worcestershire's Plumbworld eyeing £200m sales as it celebrates 25 years in business

Giles Gwinnett — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 04:03:00 +0000

Former accountant and CEO of Evesham-based Plumbworld James Hickman is celebrating 25 years of business for the online bathroom and kitchen supplier. Hickman, who set up the Worcestershire business in 1999 and has sold it twice, said: "It is great to break through the £100m sales level for the first time and enter our 25th year of trading in such a strong position. Now £200m has to be the next...

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Begbies Q3 Red Flag report shows rise in firms with 'significant' financial distress as uncertainty persists

Giles Gwinnett — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 13:27:59 +0000

The UK economy is far from being 'out of the woods' as shown by the third quarter Begbies Traynor Red Flag Alert, which showed an upswing in UK businesses in "significant" financial distress with yet more potential uncertainty ahead as firms await the Autumn Budget. The report showed the number of businesses in 'significant' financial distress in the three months was up 5.1% (at 632,756)...

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New collaboration aims to boost AI and digital skills in West Midlands

Giles Gwinnett — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 04:45:00 +0000

Coventry University has announced a tie-up with the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Hartree Centre in Cheshire, in which the pair aim to develop a digital and AI skills network for the West Midlands. Hartree is part of the Science and Technology Facilities Council - one of Europe’s largest multi-disciplinary scientific research organisations and is home to some of the most...

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