Author: Rhys Gregory

A FAMILY-OWNED manufacturing company celebrating more than two decades in business is planning for expansion and creating new jobs.   And news of further growth at Corwen-based Neatcrown comes after the firm won the prestigious Co-Manufacturer and Packer of the Year title at the UK Packaging Awards, held in London. Business Development Manager Karen Jones attended the event, and said the group’s commitment to customer service, quality, and the performance of its “incredible team” have led to sustained success. With a 39,000 sq ft warehouse, laboratory and headquarters sited on 2.5 acres in the picturesque Denbighshire town, Neatcrown – which…

Business in Focus has appointed seven new members to its non-executive board to help drive its five-year plan to unlock the nation’s entrepreneurial potential. The new appointments include Anthony Couzens, relationship director from Corporate Banking HSBC; entrepreneur, TedEx speaker, and diversity champion, Bernie Davies; Cardiff University professor of data science and cybersecurity, Pete Burnap; chief executive of Net Zero Industry Wales, Ben Burggraaf; retired senior regeneration officer at Vale of Glamorgan Council, Jill Gorrin; director of public affairs from Grayling, Sian Jones, and; former financial director of Hodge Bank and chief financial officer of Moto Novo Finance, David James. A…

Compass Cymru is hosting the second annual Junior Chef Academy in Wales, which will take place this year at Cardiff West Community High School. Over 10 weeks, Compass Cymru will deliver culinary masterclasses for 12 pupils in Year 10, which will give them invaluable hands-on experience to learn the skills needed to become a chef and an understanding of the career opportunities available in the hospitality industry. The course, which is sponsored by Brakes, is running in partnership with Cardiff Commitment, Cardiff and Vale College, and Cardiff West Community High School. It aligns with Cardiff Commitment’s Experiences of Work priority,…

Regular exercise could reduce the risk of stroke in post-menopausal women, according to new research partly undertaken in Swansea. The pilot study, which will now be followed by a more extensive, longer-term trial, suggested that the greatest benefits were to those women who exercised during or shortly after the menopause rather than many years later. The study team, including Professor Adrian Evans of the Welsh Centre for Emergency Medicine Research at Morriston Hospital, has now published its findings in the prestigious American Journal of Physiology. “A vascular disease such as stroke is more common as you get older,” said Professor…

A hopeful first time buyer from Cardiff has won a house deposit with Wales’ largest building society, giving him the chance to be the first home owner in his family. Tyler Hatfield, 26, from Fairwater, is being awarded more than £24,000 towards his first home, a value of just beyond a 10% deposit against the current average house price of £239,000 in Wales, as reported in Principality Building Society’s latest House Price Index. The competition was run alongside Principality’s Cardiff Half Marathon sponsorship in a bid to help first time buyers ‘get a step ahead’ as part of the event…

More than 200 Welsh businesses have benefitted from 239 investments totalling £51 million from the Development Bank of Wales in the first half year of 2023/24 with private co-investment of an extra £26.6 million taking total economic impact to £77.7 million. The latest data shows 1,718 jobs have been created or safeguarded. 30% of customers have benefitted from streamlined fast track loans allowing businesses to take advantage of growth opportunities such as investing in more stock or new equipment. 48 of the investments year to date have been for start-ups and 47 have gone to young entrepreneurs aged 30 and…

Whether it’s a crisp winter stroll, a pre-Christmas dinner jaunt to build up an appetite, or a Boxing Day walk to blow away the cobwebs, the festive period is a time when many will be getting outdoors and enjoying the countryside. From snow-capped hills and frosty fields to brisk beaches, Wales is brimming with beautiful and rugged scenery that can be carefully enjoyed in the winter as much as it can in the warmer months. And alongside the all-important decision of which country pub – complete with roaring fire – that you’ll be stopping at en route, here’s a list…

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co is pleased to bring to the market, Family Shopper, a convenience store in Ammanford, Wales. Located on Wind Street, the store surrounded by an array of other local businesses and shops, and is relied upon by the local residents for its wide range of everyday essentials. Family Shopper is currently owned by Kam Sandhu who has given it a new lease of life through a recent refurbishment. Kam, who owns two other successful stores, now hopes to pass it on to a new owner as he plans to relocate. This is a fantastic…

Food and drink manufacturers and processing businesses in Wales can gain skills and knowledge on how to build practical plans in response to climate change and challenging Net Zero targets through a series of workshops held in January 2024. Managed by Food & Drink Skills Wales, a programme funded by Welsh Government and committed to working with the food and drink industry to develop a skilled and capable workforce; the free, tutor-led online training courses and workshops will help eligible businesses take action on their sustainability and decarbonisation goals. Businesses can also book a free one-to-one session with the tutor…

ST GERARD’S SCHOOL has undergone a period of significant development and investment in past months. Improvements have been made to the building and gardens at the beloved Bangor institution, in addition to new fencing, better access, signage, lighting and landscaping. Over the autumn, the independent school was sandblasted, the roof and guttering cleared, there was a revamp of  parent areas, the ‘mindfulness room’ and entrance, and a ‘wellbeing walk’ has been created in picturesque woodlands around the seven-acre site. A ‘careers café’ was hosted in partnership with Bangor University, a state-of-the-art computer system implemented – streamlining communications with parents and…