Digest: Your guide to the week in business
» UWE Bristol has awarded Trunki founder Rob Law an honorary degree in recognition of his contribution to enterprise and entrepreneurship.
Rob, who has been made a Doctor of Administration, was presented with the degree by the Faculty of Business and Law at Bristol Cathedral on Tuesday, July 17.
Since his famous rejection on BBC Dragons’ Den in 2006, Rob has gone on to build a team which has pioneered a new retail category of children’s travel products.
Trunki has now sold 3.8 million suitcases in over 100 countries with consumers spending over $200 million on his brand.
The company has won over 120 awards within the design, trade, consumer and business sectors.
» Bristol Forklifts, the Patchwaybased forklift hire company, has been sold to Red Diamond Distribution for an undisclosed sum.
Serial entrepreneur Julian Bronson, who has won the Historic Grand Prix of Monaco four times, and fellow owner Ian Mounce, founded the business in 2002.
Royds Withy King acted for the sellers, whose company is an authorised dealer of Mitsubishi forklift trucks.
James Worrall of Royds Withy King said: “Bristol Forklifts and Red Diamond have worked together closely over the years and have a good relationship. Red Diamond is a natural fit for the business and this deal will enhance and strengthen the current customer offering.
“The mergers and acquisitions market is buoyant and there continues to be steady demand for quality businesses, with other members of the supply chain often among the front runners looking for new opportunities to expand,” he added.
Mounce will continue to be involved in the business, providing continuity for customers while Bronson will exit to focus on other ventures. » Bristol Pound has appointed a new managing director after unveiling its third edition of paper pounds featuring designs from local artists.
Diana Finch has a background in financial management, has been working in the voluntary sector since 2001 and was previously chief executive for Bath Centre for Psychotherapy and Counselling and Swindon Carers Centre.
She said:“I am very excited about moving to Bristol and leading the future development of the Bristol Pound.
“Bristol is a really vibrant, forward-thinking city, and its own currency is a great tool for develop- ing local businesses and communities.”
» The SS Great Britain Trust has elected Jim McKenna as its new chair.
The organisation says that Jim’s appointment has come a “pivotal time” for the trust, which has recently opened the Being Brunel museum.
The appointment also comes as the ship celebrates the 175th anniversary of its launch.
Jim said: “While I can’t lay out the next 175 years in detail, we can commit to continuing to inspire future generations of engineers and entrepreneurs as well as fur- ther boosting the Trust’s impact for South West England both in terms of the tourism economy and preserving its rich maritime heritage.”
Jim, who is also chair of social business Catch 22, was previously chief operating officer at Logica Plc, chair of Azzurri Communications, Arkivum and Sidonis, and a member of the Government’s Senior Salaries Review Board.
He takes over from Colin Green CBE who has held the position since 2009.
» Ridge, the property and construction consultancy, is celebrating its 30-year anniversary in Bristol. Since the office opened in 1988, the consultancy has grown to 32 employees and has worked on projects including the Airbus Aerospace Park in Filton, the design and build of the Knowle West Media Centre and the redevelopment of Hartwell House on Victoria Street.
Greg Aston, partner at Ridge, said: “We’re delighted to have reached this major milestone in Bristol, which is testament to both the buoyancy of the local property and construction market and the reputation we have carved out for ourselves over the last 30 years.
“We’re incredibly proud of the Bristol office and everything it’s achieved in the last 30 years and we look forward to seeing what the next 30 bring.”
As part of its 30-year celebrations, Ridge is sponsoring Portishead Cricket Club’s first Under-11s girls’ team which coincides with Sport England’s ‘This Girl Can’ campaign.
» Ghyston, the Bristol software development company, has restructured its top-tier management and promoted Emily Hill to chief executive and Dan Phipps to chief operations officer. Emily, inset, previously worked as a developer, technical consultant and project manager for Softwire London and moved to Bristol in 2012 to open Softwire West. In September 2017, she cofounded Ghyston with husband Ric Hill.
Emily said: “Ghyston is a unique place to work, I am very proud to now be CEO. I am extremely keen to continue developing our culture which is incredibly supportive resulting in the best people in tech wanting to work here”.
Emily replaces Ric who will retain his involvement as chair of the board.