All posts tagged: Bristol

Hargreaves Lansdown works with University of Bristol to launch financial wellbeing

Hargreaves Lansdown works with University of Bristol to launch financial wellbeing

Hargreaves Lansdown is working with University of Bristol to provide financial wellbeing courses for students. The pilot launched on 15 April 2024 and consisted of five custom-built modules delivered to over 70 University of Bristol students through blended learning, webinar and face-to-face mentoring sessions. The students who choose to enrol on the HL Financial Wellbeing course will get the blueprint for good financial health: how to create a smart spending plan and shop savvy – the tools to make their money work harder and build good money habits that they can take into life after university, setting them on the right financial path. And with increased knowledge typically comes heightened confidence – providing students with the tools to combat financial anxieties. The content is structured on HL’s 5 to Thrive framework, the five key building blocks for financial resilience. There are five modules which will be delivered as a blended learning experience. The course will also cover what core employee benefits to look out for when entering the world of work, as well as the role of investments …

Future is wrapped up with new leadership for Bristol bio-materials innovator

Future is wrapped up with new leadership for Bristol bio-materials innovator

Bristol-based bio-materials innovator Kelpi has unveiled a new leadership structure to support the next chapter of the sustainable packaging company’s ongoing global growth. Neil Morris, the founding CEO, is moving up to non-Executive Chairman, with Kelpi’s Chief Commercial OHicer Hugo Adams moving into the CEO role. “Hugo and I have worked closely for a long time, and he’s a brilliant leader to take Kelpi through the next chapter as we act upon regulatory approval to take our products into global markets,” said Morris, who has led the business through three successful funding rounds to global impact since he co- founded it in 2020. Adams joined Kelpi in June 2023 as Chief Commercial OHicer, after spells as CEO at high-growth sustainable clothing brand Frugi and Start-Rite Shoes. “I am excited by the opportunity to take over as CEO at Kelpi at this time,” he said. “Over the last two years I have successfully taken Kelpi to some of the world’s largest food and drink and personal care companies and have seen first-hand the fantastic response to …

Bristol law firm Barcan+Kirby appoints legal director

Bristol law firm Barcan+Kirby appoints legal director

Growing Bristol law firm Barcan+Kirby has appointed its first legal director – Nic Barker. Barker is a corporate solicitor and specialises in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) with a focus on owner-managed businesses. READ MORE: Walker Family Law grows presence in Bristol She will work from the firm’s Bristol city centre office alongside partners Georgina Bryant and Robert Davenport. She originally trained and worked in London as a solicitor before taking time out of the law to run her own business. Six years ago, she came back to Bristol to work as a finance and corporate lawyer. Barker said: “I am looking forward to working with the team at Barcan+Kirby and getting to know the firm’s clients and their businesses. There is a great team spirit, and I am sure we will go from strength to strength!” With five offices across Bristol and South Gloucestershire, the firm provides services for individuals and businesses within the South West and nationwide. The team has doubled in the last year due to growth and with Barker’s expertise, it is …

Bristol AI platform to help develop toolkit for early stage deep tech investors

Bristol AI platform to help develop toolkit for early stage deep tech investors

A Bristol-based AI platform has been selected by the world’s largest community of angel investors to be a consultant on a project hoped to stimulate more early stage investment in deep tech starts-ups. South west-based AI Simulator was co-founded by Ali Kazmi and Saj Hasnain and uses artificial intelligence to replicate the private investment market. It is set to join the American Angel Capital Association (ACA) as a consultant to develop a curriculum for the latter’s Deep Tech toolkit, which will help them better understand and assess deep tech opportunities and invest in cutting-edge technologies. It is one of five consulting businesses being used to develop the toolkit in a project funded by Nation Science Foundation and the only business from the UK. Ali Kazmi said: “We’re thrilled to be contributing to the growth of the deep tech ecosystem by providing support and educational resources, which is exactly what AI Simulator is created to do. “Our Simulated approach will enable an impactful curriculum that empowers investors to make informed decisions and drive innovation. “This also …

Bristol University ranked 12th most sustainable in the world

Bristol University ranked 12th most sustainable in the world

The University of Bristol has been named the 12th most sustainable university in the world and the fifth most sustainable in the UK. That’s according to the 2025 QS world sustainability rankings, which judged 1,744 universities on more than 50 criteria, ranging from institutions’ environmental teaching and research to the gender balance of staff. READ MORE: Bristol student housing scheme gets £31.3m of development finance The rankings included 341 more institutions than last year’s, making Bristol’s rise of five places to 12th even more impressive. Bristol university has seen several recent successes in its efforts, including more solar panels being installed, creating 500kW of solar capacity, which at its peak is enough to charge 70 EVs at once. Half of the university’s vehicle fleet is now fully electric. Mapping across its cafes has also reduced the carbon footprint of its homemade food by 27%, while a new climate education programme has trained dozens of facilitators to run sustainability workshops. “This is an exciting moment for the University, and although we still have a long way to …

Banksy Mural Will to be Sold with the Building It is Painted on

Banksy Mural Will to be Sold with the Building It is Painted on

A Banksy mural of a man hanging out of a bedroom window as he tries to evade his love rival is being sold at auction with the building it is painted on. Titled Well Hung Lover, it was painted on the wall of a sexual health clinic in Bristol, UK, in 2006. Banksy, who is from the city, said he wasn’t aware of the building’s coincidental use at the time. Real estate agent Hollis Morgan is auctioning the property – and therefore the artwork – with a new 250-year lease next year. The Grade II-listed Georgian building has five floors and is located close to Bristol Cathedral and the University of Bristol. A nightclub operates in the basement. Hollis Morgan is promoting the property’s potential to be converted into student apartments. As for the fate of the artwork, the real estate agent pointed to the fact that Bristol city council has no official policy on street art, no matter who it is by. “It is recognised that street art is created not as a permanent work of …

New dock gates at Bristol Port designed to boost West of England flood defences

New dock gates at Bristol Port designed to boost West of England flood defences

New custom-made dock gates at Avonmouth Port will boost West of England flood defence efforts. The upgrade is part of the Avonmouth Severnside Enterprise Area (ASEA) ecological mitigation and flood defence project, designed to protect the region from growing flood risks. Once complete in 2026-27, the 17 km of defences will shield 2,500 homes and businesses from tidal flooding and create 12,000 new jobs across the West of England. Bristol City Council, South Gloucestershire Council and the Environment Agency are leading the ASEA project and contributing £6.8 million towards the new gates. The Bristol Port Company (BPC) managed the procurement and installation, using a specialist company in the Netherlands to manufacture the gates, which serve navigational and flood protection purposes. The previous gates, which were nearing the end of their life, formed the main entrance to Avonmouth Port. The new gates are designed to meet latest flood defence standards, capable of withstanding a one in 200-year tidal flood event, with allowances for rising sea levels due to climate change. Councillor Andrew Brown, Chair of the Economy …

Cain International partners with Olympian Homes to expand PBSA platform with St James House redevelopment in Bristol

Cain International partners with Olympian Homes to expand PBSA platform with St James House redevelopment in Bristol

Alternative asset manager Cain International which specialists in real estate investment solutions, has acquired St James House in Bristol which it will redevelop with Olympian Homes. The scheme, set to be the tallest in Bristol at 28 storeys, will provide 574 beds and bring Cain’s Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) equity platform to a total gross development value of approximately £800 million. This represents the delivery of 3,000 beds across the UK, following the development of five PBSA assets completed in 2023. Developed by Olympian Homes, St James House will comprise two towers: one featuring 442 beds, and the other offering 132 larger co-living units. The asset will include approximately 15,000 sqft of premium amenity space, including a cinema room, a fitness suite, study areas, a games room, and group dining facilities. The development is targeting BREEAM Excellent and WiredScore Platinum certifications. Completion is targeted for the 2028/29 academic year. RG Group have been appointed to deliver the scheme, further extending the relationship between Olympian & RG group. Located in the heart of Bristol, St James …

Bristol arts organisation awarded £127,000 for major international arts programme

Bristol arts organisation awarded £127,000 for major international arts programme

A significant funding award from Arts Council England will help Bristol-based Spectroscope expand its collective of exceptional artists and producers and deliver a ground-breaking, two-year programme of immersive artworks and installations around the world. Conceived and founded by acclaimed deaf curator Cathy Mager in 2022, Spectroscope has announced the appointment of Cat Roberts as its new head of programme & production to support its expansion. Cat is known as ‘a powerhouse of the music events sector’; her 15-years experience includes managing Bristol’s largest and critically acclaimed event spaces and venues, management and production roles for Glastonbury Festival, Boomtoom Fair, Forwards Festival and Love Saves the Day, and production manager for the award-winning film led by Cathy Mager, BBC Sign Night. Joining Cathy and Cat as part of the wider associate team are some of the most exciting artists emerging from Bristol, including Ngaio Anyia, whose colourful portfolio career includes artist, singer, DJ, writer, broadcaster, and inclusion & diversity consultant. Ngaio has worked with the likes of Boomtown Festival, Shambala and Artspace Lifespace, and previously collaborated with …

New creative industry training provider launches in Bristol

New creative industry training provider launches in Bristol

A new training provider has launched to helpfill the critical skills gap in the West of England’s live arts and events sector. It is offering fully-funded bootcamp places to adults interested in learning about effective planning and management, routes to a sustainable career and work at festivals. Backed by WECA (the West of England Combined Authority), MUTI is collaborating with leading cultural organisations to design and deliver industry training not available anywhere else. This involves working with a range of creative industry experts, venues and producers to find and develop the people needed by a wide range of events – from big outdoor festivals, via theatre, music gigs and celebrations to conferences and charity fund-raisers. MUTI co-director Nick Young-Wolfe said: “From our considerable experience in theatre, education and festivals, we know that whenever audiences come together for a live event there needs to be professionals behind the scenes making it all run smoothly, safely and, often, adding the creative magic.” Explaining the agency’s name and drivers, Nick, originally from South Africa added: “MUTI is an African word …