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These are the top stories making the headlines across The Business Magazine website today:
UKRI launches new competitions worth £7m to back AI innovation
UK Research and Innovation announces two competitions with a £7 million fund to support SMEs in developing artificial intelligence solutions that tackle industry challenges.
Full story here: https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/technology-innovation/ukri-launches-new-competitions-worth-7m-to-back-ai-innovation/ 


Lack of Grade A space driving up Oxford rents, says Vail Williams
According to property consultant Mike Watson from Vail Williams, rising demand for offices and labs in Oxford's diverse science and tech sector is hampered by a shortage of high-quality Grade A spaces, potentially leading to increased rents.
Full story here: https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/property/lack-of-grade-a-space-driving-up-oxford-rents-says-vail-williams/ 


Dorset LEP and councils launch site to attract investment
The Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership, together with Dorset Council and BCP Council, has introduced the Invest in Dorset website to promote the region's innovative economy and draw further investment into six key sectors by highlighting local business success stories.
Full story here: https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/companies/dorset-lep-and-councils-launch-site-to-attract-investment-in-the-county/ 

These are the top stories making the headlines across The Business Magazine website today:
Gamma Aviation partners with Australian drone technology company
Farnborough's Gama Aviation collaborates with Australian Department 13 to provide advanced non-jamming, non-kinetic drone detection and countermeasures for defence and commercial use.
Full story here: https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/technology-innovation/gamma-aviation-partners-with-australian-drone-technology-company/ 


Hiring difficulties easing but concerns persist, finds BCC
The latest Quarterly Recruitment Outlook from the British Chambers of Commerce indicates that while hiring challenges in the UK have somewhat lessened in early 2024, with 66% of businesses experiencing difficulties, a drop from previous quarters, concerns over recruitment persist.
Full story here: https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/recruitment-careers-hr/hiring-difficulties-easing-but-concerns-persist-finds-bcc/ 


Creative move to Leamington for Leon and Priya
LoudLocal, a digital marketing agency founded by Leon Hidderley and Priya Pandit, is expanding from Kenilworth to a new, larger office in Leamington Spa's Spencer Yard to accommodate its growing team, which has increased from its initial two founders to a current team of eight.
 Full story here: https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/property/326932/ 

These are the top stories making the headlines across The Business Magazine website today:
Shaw Gibbs merges with Winchester accountants Martin and Company
Shaw Gibbs, a financial and business advisory firm, has merged with specialized Winchester-based accountancy firm Martin and Company, enhancing its services in the agriculture and private client sectors.
Full story here: https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/professional-services/shaw-gibbs-merges-with-winchester-accountants-martin-and-company/ 


Bucks F1 supplier Alan Spargo buys its first Bruderer press
Alan Spargo, a High Wycombe-based supplier to the F1, automotive, and aerospace sectors, acquired its first Bruderer press to enhance tooling solution tests for its customers ahead of its 50th business anniversary in 2025.
Full story here: https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/manufacturing-engineering/bucks-f1-supplier-alan-spargo-buys-its-first-bruderer-press/ 


South West wins share of £13.5m for engineering biology R&D projects
The UK’s South West region has secured a portion of a £13.5 million investment from the UKRI Technology Missions Fund, managed by Innovate UK, to advance 48 new projects in engineering biology aimed at addressing key issues in health, environment, food production, and sustainability.

Full story here: https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/technology-innovation/south-west-wins-share-of-13-5-million-for-engineering-biology-rd-projects/ 

These are the top stories making the headlines across The Business Magazine website today:
South's firms thrive at Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards
Businesses across the South have been acknowledged for their international sales achievements at the Department for Business and Trade's second annual Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards.
Full story here: https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/manufacturing-engineering/souths-firms-thrive-at-made-in-the-uk-sold-to-the-world-awards/ 


MOD orders another six H145 helicopters from Airbus
The UK Ministry of Defence has ordered six additional Airbus H145 helicopters, aimed at modernizing its rotary fleet and streamlining operations, with planned deployment in Cyprus for emergency response and in Brunei for jungle warfare training support.
Full story here: https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/manufacturing-engineering/mod-orders-another-six-h145-helicopters-from-airbus/ 


Southampton’s Crondall Energy completes management buyout
Crondall Energy, a UK-based offshore energy project consultancy, has undergone a management buyout, enabling a significant number of its 55 employees across multiple locations to acquire an ownership stake in the company.
Full story here: https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/professional-services/southamptons-crondall-energy-completes-management-buyout/ 

These are the top stories making the headlines across The Business Magazine website today:
Manufacturing minister needed as firms decry lack of government support
A recent report from Crowe highlights that 90% of manufacturers are dissatisfied with government support amid global economic challenges, although 70% anticipate sales growth, underscoring the sector's call for a dedicated manufacturing minister.
Full story here: https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/manufacturing-engineering/manufacturing-minister-needed-as-firms-decry-lack-of-government-support/ 


LSH facilitates sale of Southampton site to MDL Marinas
Lambert Smith Hampton brokered the sale of the 3.2-acre, 83,073 sq ft Waterstone Marine Facility on Lower William Street, previously occupied by Oil Spill Response Limited, to MDL Marinas.
Full story here: https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/property/lsh-oversees-sale-of-southampton-facility-to-mdl-marinas/ 


Tech company Roke opens major new site in Gloucester
Roke, a tech firm based in Hampshire, expands its UK presence by inaugurating a new office in Gloucester, aiming to bolster innovation and technological development in the region.
Full story here: https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/property/tech-company-roke-opens-in-gloucester/ 

These are the top stories making the headlines across The Business Magazine website today:
Wessex Internet to roll out full fibre in rural Dorset and Somerset
Wessex Internet has been awarded a £33.5 million Project Gigabit contract to bring ultrafast broadband to 21,400 homes and businesses in rural parts of Dorset and Somerset.
Full story here: https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/technology-innovation/wessex-internet-to-roll-out-full-fibre-in-rural-dorset-and-somerset/ 


Quantuma advises Spire Technology on its sale to Westcoast
Quantuma successfully guided the sale of Dorset-based IT distributor Spire Technology to the Westcoast Group, marking a new chapter for the company founded by Victor Unt and Geoff Fidler and currently led by managing director John Appleton.
Full story here: https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/companies/quantuma-advises-spire-technology-on-its-sale-to-westcoast/ 


University of Southampton in push to recruit 180 new academics by 2025
The University of Southampton aims to bolster its education, research excellence, and enterprise by recruiting over 180 new academics across various subjects and seniority levels by 2025.
Full story here: https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/recruitment-careers-hr/university-of-southampton-in-push-to-recruit-180-new-academics-by-2025/