Author: Alice Gregory

Mon Timber Engineering, part of the Premier Forest Products Group, has boosted its production capabilities by as much as 25 per cent with a significant upgrade in machinery. The upgrade has also enhanced turnaround times and responsiveness, improved precision, and expanded its bespoke timber solutions for customers across the construction and manufacturing sectors. An MiTek Mk8C A-Frame Press, a roof truss manufacturing press mounted on an A-frame I-beam, makes the unloading of trusses easy and safe while creating efficiencies in the manufacturing process. The innovative machine reduces running costs through its automatic start/stop system and the ability to use less…

Quantum Advisory, the leading pensions and employee benefits consultancy for small and medium sized schemes and employers, has urged employers to take action now as delayed health detection continues to drive record absence levels, push up benefit costs and puts mounting pressure on HR teams. Long-term sickness absence has reached 9.4 days per employee, the highest in more than a decade (CIPD), and poor workforce health is estimated to cost employers £85bn each year in lost productivity (Keep Britain Working). Graham Yearsley, Head of Employee Benefits at Quantum Advisory, commented: “The human impact of late diagnosis is profound. Families are…

The Institute of Directors (IoD) Wales has confirmed the speaker line up for its North Wales Winter Lunch, taking place on Friday 28 November at the Quay Hotel and Spa in Deganwy. The Winter Lunch Series is a long standing highlight for leaders across Wales, offering an afternoon of relaxed networking, good food and thought provoking speakers as the year comes to an end. This year, IoD Wales is placing a spotlight on North Wales by welcoming two voices with strong regional ties. Guests in Deganwy will hear from Dr Mark Williams DBA PLY, Founder and CEO of Limb art,…

It is that time of year again when menus start to shimmer with seasonal touches and restaurants lean into the warmth of the festive period. It is one of our favourite moments in the calendar. As the city fills with shoppers and the early evenings take on that familiar glow, Browns Brasserie in Cardiff has just launched its festive dining experience, promising a mix of comfort and refinement. We went along to see how it measures up and found a calm, elegant setting that offers a peaceful break from the bustle outside and a menu that brings a touch of…

From Brains Brewery to Fabulous Welshcakes, iconic Welsh businesses are backing better work through a bold HR and health and safety (H&S) shift. Some of Wales’ most beloved and recognisable names are taking a stand for good employment, investing in their people and workplace cultures as the foundation for long-term resilience. EffectiveHRM, a leading people-focused HR and H&S consultancy headquartered in Treforest, has this year partnered with a range of heritage and high-street names – including SA Brains, Fabulous Welshcakes, and several standout local hospitality businesses including Llanerch – to support a more sustainable, people-first approach to employment. They are…

Kilsby Williams, a Newport-based leading tax and accountancy specialist, is celebrating a record level of interest from graduates following investment into its trainee opportunities. The independent firm offers graduate trainee programmes providing an opportunity to earn a competitive starting salary in the sector while gaining practical experience with expert mentors and studying towards professional qualifications, such as the AAT and progressing to ACA. The firm has also designed apprenticeships with school leavers in mind, offering an alternative route into the accountancy, audit and tax sectors for learners not following traditional college and university learning pathways. This year Kilsby Williams has…

The UK has dropped another place in the Mercer CFA Institute’s Global Pension Index. The UK’s pension system has been ranked as the 12th best system in the world, dropping one place since 2024. The Netherlands, Iceland and Denmark have held onto their spots in the top three for another year. Despite falling again in the overall rankings, the UK has retained a ‘B’ grade and its total score has actually risen from 71.6 in 2024 to 72.2 in 2025. The Global Pension Index compares 52 retirement systems, representing 65% of the world’s population, and uses more than 50 indicators focusing…

Phillips Wellbeing marked World Mental Health Day with an inspiring gala dinner at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, bringing together over 125 guests for an evening of reflection, laughter and connection. The event raised an impressive £10,000 through a silent auction, with proceeds going to support mental health charities including St David’s Hospice and Velindre. Hosted in the exclusive President’s Lounge, the evening celebrated the official opening of Phillips Wellbeing’s new Cardiff office and showcased the company’s ongoing commitment to improving mental health support across Wales. Guests enjoyed a champagne reception on the pitch, followed by a three-course meal, live music from…

Cardiff’s award-winning Park Plaza hotel is set to hold its wedding showcase on Sunday 16 November, giving engaged couples the chance to explore everything that the stylish city centre venue has to offer. Park Plaza’s experienced wedding planners and events team will be on hand at the event to discuss how they can help bring bride and grooms’ vision to life. The hotel has partnered with a carefully selected group of trusted local suppliers, from florists and photographers to stylists and bakers, which will give attendees the chance to meet some of the finest wedding specialists in South Wales. The…

The nights are drawing in, there’s a chill in the air, and pumpkins are appearing in shop windows, all tell-tale signs that the clocks are about to change. The switch back to Greenwich Mean Time always seems to arrive just in time for Halloween and Bonfire Night. This year, the clocks will go back one hour at 2am on Sunday 26 October 2025, marking the official end of British Summer Time (BST). The good news? We all get an extra hour in bed. The change means it will be temporarily lighter earlier in the mornings but darker sooner in the…