West of England growth pipeline takes concrete shape in battery plant, drone swarm and trainee hires

Business reports in the South West this week covered the West of England's £17bn investment pipeline alongside specific business and workforce developments. The Business Desk South West reported that the West of England marked a year of its growth strategy with a £17bn investment pipeline, after securing new town status and devolution powers [7]. The same outlet said the multi-billion pound Agratas facility is nearing completion and described it as the UK's largest battery plant [5], while a Bristol robotics team won $500,000 for a wildfire-fighting drone swarm whose technology detects and responds to fires within 10 minutes [4].

The Business Desk South West also reported workforce and manufacturing moves. Accountancy firm BDO hired 25 trainees in Bristol, with more than one in four staff now on early-career schemes [3]. Swindon precision engineers have moved into Formula 1 component manufacturing, and a trio of former apprentices plans to expand the workforce [6]. The same outlet reminded manufacturers that BICS applications open in October [2]. Bristol 24/7 also reported that the founders of a female urinal startup are entering Dragons' Den for fresh investment [1].