Blow to county’s green aviation dreams
It was a major investment, but Gloucestershire entrepreneur Dale Vince has pulled the plug on a pioneering green aviation business, dealing a financial blow to another county-based eco-flight pioneer.
Dear readers,
A shorter edition today, as yours truly is off for a few days this week.
The main story below resulted from some research we were doing into one of Gloucestershire’s biggest businesses, a group of companies that generates more than half a billion pounds a year.
All of those businesses started here in the county, and all thriving. We say that because the story below shows that even with that Midas touch it doesn’t go right for you all the time.
The unfortunate knock-on effect of the collapse of the company in question looks like it will cause a major blow to another green aviation pioneer, also based in Gloucestershire.
We’ve had to skip the usual diary dates and business briefing notes, I’m afraid. But we did find time to showcase a story about an exciting partnership between a number of organisations in the county determined to make what is already a great place to live even better!
Have a great week.
Best regards,
Andrew Merrell (editor).
Charity of the week: The Summerfield Charitable Trust
A major initiative to support older people across the Cotswolds has been launched following a £1 million investment from the Summerfield Charitable Trust. Age-Friendly Cotswolds is a three-year initiative designed to improve the quality of life for older people and create lasting, community-led change.
It brings together local voluntary sector organisations to work alongside older people to strengthen their connection, wellbeing and influence across towns and rural communities.
David Owen, chairman of Trustees at The Summerfield Trust, said: “We’re really pleased to have worked with Gloucestershire VCSE Alliance to develop this initiative and with Age UK Gloucestershire, The Churn Project, Tetbury Area Youth & Community Trust and Cotswold Friends to deliver it.
“The Age Friendly Cotswolds initiative reflects a shared commitment to listening to local voices and shaping environments where everyone can live well as they age.
The initiative will focus on four priority themes: health and wellbeing, social and civic participation, empowerment and resilience, and impact and influence.
Sarah Bourne, chief executive officer, for The Churn, said: “The Initiative recognises older people as a strength within our communities and supports them to remain active, involved and influential in shaping local life.”
Matt Lennard, CEO at VCSE Alliance, said: “We are confident that these partners will make a genuine difference to people’s lives.
“Our older population deserves to be celebrated, and this work reinforces the reality that older people are vital assets to our communities.”
Read the full press release here in our PR Wire channel.
Future thinking…
Probably Gloucestershire’s biggest catalyst when it comes to apprenticeship training, an organisation that knows it all, helps companies train staff from all manner of sectors and tailor training to suit, has a specialist team on hand to help make everyone’s journey as easy as possible, is due to stage a special opening evening.
Gloucestershire College is due to stage a special Apprenticeship Open Evening on Wednesday 25 February 2026 from 5pm to 8pm at its Gloucester Campus in Llanthony Road. It’s free to attend.
Many of Gloucestershire’s best employers, big and small, will be on hand to chat to anyone who wants to know more and there are still spaces for other businesses to join - for free.
Programmes at the college cover everything from construction, professional services, engineering, dental, catering, teaching and hairdressing to cyber security and computing. Apprenticeships range from entry-level to Level 6 degree (equal to a university degree). More here.
* The Raikes Journal is a community interest company. Everything you read by us is made possible by our incredible Founding Partners: QuoLux, Willans LLP, Gloucestershire College, Merrell People and Randall & Payne, our sponsors, our Founding Members and wonderful paying subscribers.
If you upgrade to become a paid subscriber you’ll be part of this CIC too. You’ll help make us sustainable, be able to see past the paywalls, comment on our stories, and know you’re making possible the county’s only editorially-led platform dedicated to delivering quality journalism for Gloucestershire about its businesses, charities, education and training sectors.
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Big blow to county’s green aviation dreams
It was a major investment, but Gloucestershire entrepreneur Dale Vince has pulled the plug on a pioneering green aviation business, dealing a financial blow to another county-based eco-flight pioneer.
As we researched a story on the rise and rise of Green Britain Group yesterday, the Gloucestershire business empire built by energy tycoon Dale Vince, we purposely overlooked a piece of news of interest to anyone interested in aviation.
In the public accounts the group made a point of underlining its purchase of a controlling share in Scottish business Ecojet Airlines Ltd in October 2024.
“The airline aims to revolutionise air travel by deploying hydrogen-electric propulsion technology to eliminate carbon emissions from flights.
“The directors hope that an equity financing round will allow the company to meet the capital requirements of obtaining an Air Operating Certificate from the UK Civil Aviation Authority,” said the report.
At least that was its hope, when the accounts for the year ending 30 April 2025 were signed off - before being published on 2 February 2026.
But the statement overlapped with news that the ambitious young Scottish-based business Ecojet was actually in trouble, and in the last few days it has emerged that the firm has filed for liquidation.
