Author: Rhys Gregory

A North Wales engineering firm is looking to set up a new Polish distribution arm as it races towards £1 million in sales just months after launching there. High-flying Continental Diamond Tool (CDT) only set up a sales team in Poland last May and surging demand has already led to plans for a permanent base in the country. The rapid sales growth coincides with a major expansion of the  operation in Kinmel Bay where the company has opened a huge new 30,000 sq ft factory on the Tir Llwyd Industrial Estate – three times the size of its old site…

Disengagement in Wales’s workplaces is mounting and it’s impacting employee’s performance; a new study finds. The research commissioned by national volunteering organisation, Royal Voluntary Service suggests a growing sense of detachment among workers in Wales with over one in three (38%) now feeling disengaged. 33% go on to report feeling unsatisfied in their job and nearly a fifth (17%) have considered quitting in the last year. The findings come as Royal Voluntary Service launches GoVo for Business, the UK’s only charity-backed employee volunteering platform. Developed thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery, the new tech-for-good platform supports organisations to tackle key workforce challenges – including employee engagement, wellbeing and productivity – by enabling greater participation in volunteering,…

Tata Steel subsidiary UKSE is set to build on its highly successful Support Programme under new Area Manager in Wales, Michelle Noble. UKSE launched its £4.6 million Support Programme for Wales in 2024 in response to changes in the steel industry, and estimates it created and sustained some 520 jobs for ex-steel workers, as well as the wider workforce. Michelle said the Support Programme had exceeded expectations, as its first phase comes to an end. “In a short time we provided a range of loans and grants to 106 businesses, including 50 start-ups, with the overall purpose of creating sustainable jobs to…

CLWYD NORTH MP Gill German says veterans in North Wales must be listened to – and is determined to ensure their voices are heard at the highest levels of Government. Gill hosted a Veterans’ Forum at Woody’s Lodge in Colwyn Bay, bringing together veterans and frontline organisations to listen directly to lived experiences and highlight local challenges, feeding those voices into the UK Government’s first Veterans Strategy in seven years. The event, held at Woody’s Lodge’s Parc Eirias base, gave veterans the opportunity to speak openly about the issues affecting them, from the transition to civilian life to access to…

Orbis Education and Care has reopened its refurbished and modernised adult home, Ty George in Bridgend. The four-bedroom home has gone through a major transformation to better support its residents. The refurbishments have been designed with the needs and comfort of its residents in mind, who will be adults who may have a mental health diagnosis, or additional needs such as a learning disability, autism or health requirements. Ty George features a large kitchen, a dining and living room, allowing its residents to socialise and cook together, as well as two acres of outdoor space surrounding the house. Those living…

Understanding how to prevent food spoilage is essential for reducing food waste, saving money and protecting health. Spoiled food not only contributes to unnecessary costs but can also lead to foodborne illness if consumed. Here, the team at food hygiene training experts High Speed Training share some top tips on reducing the risk of food spoilage. Dr Richard Anderson, Learning Experience Director at High Speed Training, said: “Food spoilage refers to the process where food becomes unsuitable for consumption due to changes caused by microorganisms, enzymes or physical and chemical reactions. These changes can affect the safety, flavour, texture and…

Work has begun on a new affordable housing development in the heart of Blackwood town centre, delivering 58 energy‑efficient apartments for social rent. The Lower Plas Court development, located on land close to Blackwood Market and next to the town’s bus station interchange, will consist of one three‑storey and one five‑storey apartment block. Its central location will place residents within easy reach of shops, services and public transport, helping people remain connected to the town centre. The development is being delivered by not‑for‑profit housing association United Welsh in partnership with Welsh Government and Caerphilly County Borough Council. Homes will be…

The latest HSBC UK Corporate Tracker has identified clusters of large businesses in Wales that are outpacing the average UK growth rate for major firms, underlining the crucial role the nation can play in delivering the UK’s Industrial Strategy. Using Beauhurst data, which draws on the most recent financial disclosures, the biannual HSBC UK tracker found that 57% of Wales’s fastest-growing large companies are located in clusters across Cardiff, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Wrexham. Despite a backdrop of continued economic uncertainty, 52 large Welsh firms based in these clusters achieved annual turnover growth above the UK median rate for large businesses of 10.5% between 2021 and 2024, outpacing the UK economy’s 7.73% annual GVA growth over the same period. The clusters contain many companies operating within the UK Government’s eight future‑focused sectors1 – the ‘IS‑8’. These sectors, including advanced manufacturing, clean energy and life sciences, have been selected as central to…

Building on the success of the last two years of celebrations, which attracted over 3,500 people to the city centre, Newport is delighted to announce the return of its third Lunar New Year event in 2026. Newport City Council and The Riverfront Theatre & Arts Centre are once again partnering to deliver a vibrant, family-friendly celebration in the heart of the city. On Saturday 21st February, visitors are invited to enjoy a full day of cultural performances, creative workshops, and festive activities celebrating the Year of the Fire Horse – all free of charge. To mark this important day in…

The Welsh Government Sgiliau Bwyd a Diod Cymru / Food & Drink Skills Wales programme is helping food and drink businesses invest in their people and build a resilient, future-ready industry, is starting 2026 with renewed momentum and a strong focus on workforce development. Since its launch last year, the programme’s dedicated jobs portal, Food and Drink Jobs Wales, has listed 3,322 vacancies, accessed by more than 1,271 employers, with 629 active roles currently available. As job-seekers consider their career paths, the platform is proving a vital gateway to opportunities across Wales’ growing food and drink sector. To mark the…