Bristol is the most important business city in the South West, yet faces a number of unique challenges. This issue we examine what these are, and point to some strategies ahead for the city.
Some of the best-known brands in the South West are also some of the fastest growing companies. The cover story looks at how Dyson, Yeo Valley and London and Country Mortgages are among the South West businesses that have done so well. Also, the differing fortunes of Gloucester and Cheltenham are highlighted in a feature on the development-led revival currently underway.
Environmental sustainability is fast climbing the business agenda. Ignore it at your peril, because it won’t be long before your trading partners, staff and customers start expecting more of you in terms of sustainability. Best to beat them to the punch and find out what green can do for you, starting with this special green issue of Insider.
Many see stronger exports as crucial to sustaining the UK’s economy in the coming months, and manufacturing – which accounts for more than half of all those exports – has a key role to play. With this in mind, Insider this month turns its gaze on manufacturing in the South West to find out how the region’s producers are staying ahead of the competition in a global marketplace.
Food costs are rising and for the South West food production and processing is a key sector driving the rural economy. This month Insider looks at how an operationally smarter, more sustainable approach is one possible answer to keeping a lid on production costs as margins are squeezed. The issue also includes full coverage of our 2008 South West Dealmakers Awards.
The South West’s rich are feeling the pinch as never before. This month’s issue of Insider magazine includes our second annual Rich List for the region, and it shows that the top 50 are worth a combined £8.4bn this time around, down from £9.4bn a year ago. With a billion wiped off their collective worth, who among them can help to lead the way out of the current market gloom?