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news opinion £200 million on the table
The UK is now the most attractive country in Europe – and the fifth most attractive in the world – for incoming business investment …
Tax incentives and the Patent Box regime have helped make Britain a very popular place to establish a technology company. Only China, the US, India and Brazil are ahead of the UK for inward investment.
More encouragement is needed to bring manufacturers to the UK but, that apart, our economy is proving a magnet for overseas companies, securing one- fifth of all inward investment projects in Europe.
There are some who don’t like this. They think that overseas companies are simply looking for a cheap location where they can avoid some of the taxes they would otherwise pay in their native land.
But who are the winners here? In most cases, it is the British economy that benefits from inward investment, in terms of jobs for British workers, cash to the Exchequer, and our international standing.
When a global brand sets up in the Thames Valley or Solent region, the knock-on benefits to the economy and status of the region are palpable.
• This month we publish both the Thames Valley 250 and a new list, the Solent SME 100. Listings like these highlight the hundreds of home- grown success stories in the region.
From £1 billion turnover businesses to SMEs and start-ups, private companies are the essence of the south’s entrepreneurial economy. We are delighted to spotlight them.
David Murray Publisher
www.businessmag.co.uk
Businesses in the South East can bid for a share of £200 million, launched by deputy prime minister Nick Clegg in round six of the Regional Growth Fund (RGF).
The Government is investing £170m from the first five rounds of the RGF in the South East, which is supporting 30 projects across the region, to create and safeguard thousands of jobs and stimulate £1.1 billion of private- sector investment.
Clegg said: “This is a helping hand to create thousands of jobs that last, boost the private sector and rebalance the economy.
“I’ve seen first hand, at businesses across the country, how the fund is supporting companies that are working hard to fuel our recovery and help build a stronger economy.
“I would encourage any businesses that can generate significant private-sector investment and sustainable jobs to bid for a share of the £200m available from the fund.“
Round six will be open to private-sector bidders seeking £1m or more. The Government is calling on companies to plan high-quality projects that will generate significant private-sector investment and sustainable jobs. Businesses will be able to submit their bids until noon on September 30, 2014.
One business that has already had support from the RGF is Fianium, an Eastleigh-based manufacturer of ultrafast lasers, that was awarded £1.125m to support research and development activity, and expansion into the growing
industrial lasers market. The project will involve an investment of more than £4.2m and create or safeguard close to 100 skilled jobs.
Similarly Ricardo UK, a green technology company based in Shoreham-by-Sea, was awarded £3.225m to support a vehicle emissions research centre, which will be an important enabler for the development of the next generation of clean, low-carbon vehicles.
Business secretary Vince Cable said: “Round six is now open for applications and I urge businesses to see how it can help them to increase their workforce or expand to new markets.“
Details:
www.gov.uk/ understanding-the-regional- growth-fund
Star Pride transformed by Trimline
Southampton-based marine interior refit specialist Trimline has completed a two-week refurbishment of the 438-foot power yacht, Star Pride.
Working on behalf of Windstar Cruises, Trimline travelled to Barcelona with a team of 60 personnel to complete the work.
Along with transformations of the bar, casino and The Compass Rose lounge, the Yacht Club lounge (pictured) was regenerated with a dark walnut and navy blue colour scheme. A luxurious nautical-style rug became the central focus, around curved walnut bookcases with widescreen TVs inset, encasing structural steel columns.
One hundred suites and six owner suites have also been completely re-styled.
Contract manager Tim Gallagher said: “The team has worked incredibly hard on the Star Pride project – from our computer- aided design team, which designed the bespoke blinds in the Compass Rose lounge, through to the joiners who
carefully crafted them and the surveyors and fitters who ensured that everything looked perfect.“
Trimline has been providing services to the cruise and ferry, offshore, defence and superyacht sectors for nearly 50 years.
@TheBusinessMag Business THE M A GA ZINE TM
In the September 2014 issue of The Business Magazine • Southern Entrepreneurs • Mergers & Acquisitions • Dining & Your Business • Motoring: new car, new plate • Christmas Hospitality • Technology
Details: 0118-9766410
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THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – JULY/AUGUST 2014
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