Funded Projects

Bangor Business School is or has been a partner institution of the following research projects, all of which have received substantial funding from external sources such as the Welsh Assembly Government, the European Social Fund and the Economic Regional Development Fund.

Current projects

Devolved Tax powers

Following a competitive tendering process, a team from Bangor University’s Business School have been appointed by the Welsh Government to scrutinise the devolved tax revenue forecasts that will be included within the 2018-19 budget. The Wales Act 2014 and Wales Act 2017 devolved taxation and borrowing powers to the Welsh Government and National Assembly for Wales. These new powers are additional tools to affect economic development and specific policy goals. The 6-strong group, led by Dr Edward Jones, Lecturer in Economics part-funded by the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, will independently assess and scrutinise the Government’s devolved tax forecasts and will also offer advice on improving methodologies for future budgets.

Further information about this work can be found at the following:

http://gov.wales/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2017/independent/?lang=en

http://gov.wales/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2017/independenttaxforecasting/?lang=en

The evidence provided to the National Assembly of Wales Finance Committee can be found here.

ION Project

The ION leadership Programme develops and enhances the leadership skills of owners, managers and key decision-makers of businesses across West Wales (north and south). Bangor in partnership with Swansea University delivers a flexible programme based on practical, experiential learning within a trusted group of peers focussed on finding real solutions for the issues that leaders, at all levels, face every day. The ION project is backed with £3.7m from the European Social Fund.
ION was formerly known as LEAD.

20Twenty Project

The 20Twenty Leading Business Growth Programme, supported by funding from ESF, is designed specifically for large organisations and SMEs in the East of Wales (both north and south). In conjunction with Cardiff Metropolitan University the programme promotes sustainable growth by developing the critical leadership and business skills that employees need to meet the challenges facing businesses. More than 400 companies in Wales have benefited from the programme so far, with more than 90 percent reporting an increase in sales turnover, employment, productivity and profits.
Whilst no industry is omitted there is an emphasis on the Energy, Advanced Manufacturing, Construction, Tourism, Digital and Food sectors.

OPTBANK Project

BBS is also the sole UK arm of the three year international OPTBANK Project funded by the EU Erasmus+ programme, with partner institutions in France, Italy, Greece, and six universities in Indonesia as well as associated partners from governmental bodies and the civil society (Central Bank of Indonesia, Indonesian Deposit Insurance Corporation, Indonesian Finance Association).

The main objective of the OPTBANK Project is to integrate and enhance research capacities and PhD programmes in the field of banking and finance. The project’s outputs will strengthen the links between universities and the banking and financial sector. This will include a broader dissemination to the society as a whole by targeting community services on financial inclusion and financial literacy and thereby contribute to a higher standard of living for a large portion of the population. As part of this programme, BBS has held seminars on the Exchange of Best Practices – Links between Universities and Industry, as well as contributed to meetings on the design and development of PhD training.

North Wales Business Academy

The North Wales Business Academy supports business growth and competitiveness in the region by delivering university-accredited leadership and management qualifications. Supported by £2.8m of EU funds, the scheme enables employers to access training and staff development opportunities with subsidies of up to 70%. The project is led by Grŵp Llandrillo Menai in partnership with Bangor University, Coleg Cambria and Glyndwr University.

Past projects

LEAD Wales

LEAD Wales was designed to develop and enhance the leadership skills of owners of small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) located across Wales, and to address the challenges faced by owner-managers.

GIFT Project

The GIFT (Green Innovation Future Technologies) project was designed to establish a cross border forum with the intention of growing a sustainable “green economy” in the Interreg regions of Wales and Ireland.

Menter Iontach Nua

Menter Iontach Nua was a learning, networking and support initiative designed to improve the innovation, creativity and entrepreneurial skills of social enterprises through training, mentoring and networking opportunities.