Author: Rhys Gregory

Leading insurance broker Aston Lark, a Howden company, is continuing its recruitment streak as it adds another key hire to its Welsh region. Deborah Barber, from Cardiff, has joined the firm as a Development Executive and will be responsible for growing Aston Lark’s clientele within the Cardiff and Vale area. Deborah has worked within the insurance industry for over 30 years, beginning her career at Commercial Union in 1992. She joins from broking group Thomas Carroll, where she held the position of Development Executive for over 13 years. Deborah joins Aston Lark’s most recent hires Catherine Robinson and Alex Davies…

At 323rd in the world rankings, Jamie Donaldson doesn’t have the luxury of automatically qualifying for The Open Championship anymore. Instead, the Welshman has to use the various qualifying series in place to secure his ticket to the most iconic event in the sport. The reality is that this is a task that’s beginning to prove too mighty for Donaldson – in 2023, time finally caught up with the 47-year-old and he failed to secure his place at the 151st edition of The Open. Will any Welsh golfers play at the 2023 Open? Unfortunately, a list of the 2023 Open…

First Minster of Wales, Rt Hon Mark Drakeford MS, will launch a special event at Cardiff City Hall in September dedicated to highlighting the importance of diversity, equality, and inclusion within Wales. The event is organised by one of Wales’ most high-profile black entrepreneurs, Bernie Davies, a multiple award-winning bestselling author, TEDx speaker, business strategist, and diversity and inclusion thought leader. The ‘Mastering Diversity’ conference will take place on September 18, 2023, at Cardiff City Hall. It is the first multi-disciplinary conference of its kind to take place in Wales and is set to bring together a diverse group of…

Secondary school learners interested in a career as a vet have been given a taste of student life as Aberystwyth University hosted its first Veterinary Seren Summer School. A total of 40 pupils from all over Wales signed up for the four-day programme organised by the University’s Veterinary Education Centre, which opened on Penglais campus in September 2021 as the first vet school in Wales. Aberystwyth University and the Welsh Government’s Seren programme have teamed up on the project, creating a 4-day free of charge residential Summer School for Welsh learners considering studying veterinary science. Jeremy Miles, the Minister for…

Deloitte continues to invest in its UK-wide business by promoting six people to director in Wales, where a total of 405 people have been promoted across all grades and businesses this month. The six directors are James Bartlett and Clare Skivens in Audit & Assurance, Matt Alps and Meg Watt in Tax & Legal, Nicola Moorcraft in Risk Advisory and Cen Thomas in Financial Advisory. Ian Howse, senior partner for Wales at Deloitte, said: “This is a phenomenal achievement for these new directors.  I am delighted that so many of our 1700 people in Wales are achieving their ambitions and…

The UK’s largest commercial food waste collection company is investing £1m into additional services in south Wales, ahead of new regulations taking effect. Keenan Recycling, which works with businesses and local authorities to deliver food waste to anaerobic digestion plants, is expanding operations in the region as part of a wider £2m spend to support growth plans. The Business Growth Fund-backed company already works in Wales, but will be creating up to 10 jobs in the region including drivers and sales roles before the end of the year. As part of the expansion, ten additional state-of-the-art trucks, which are powered…

A new charity has been launched in Swansea. The Swansea Bay Foundation aims to strengthen local places and improve lives by providing grants and donations to groups and good causes that make a real difference to people across South West Wales. It’s a way for successful local businesses to give something back to their communities and maximise the positive impact of those donations by working together. The Swansea Bay Foundation will work in partnership with groups that make a difference to people’s lives across Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire, in particular the committed volunteers who make a real…

A tiny six-week-old puppy has been rescued by the RSPCA after he was abandoned at a Swansea park. The male cross breed puppy – thought to be aged around six weeks old – was found at Cwm Level Park and Playing Fields in Brynhyfryd at around 6pm on Thursday 6 July. A member of the public luckily spotted the puppy who had reportedly collapsed behind a tree. He was described as not being able to put any weight on his legs. RSPCA Cymru is now appealing for information to find out what happened and for anyone with first-hand information to…

Leading independent accountancy firm, Bevan Buckland LLP, has seen a record number of promotions across its Swansea and Cowbridge offices – with 21 members of staff stepping into new, senior roles as the firm continues its ambitious growth plans. 19 members of staff from the Swansea office have moved into more senior positions, and three Cowbridge-based employees have also been promoted including Andrew Knott and Jack Parker, both transitioning from Senior Executive to Associate Directors to head up the Cowbridge office. The promotions come at a time of increasing growth and development for the firm, which has also recently taken…

As traditional banks retreat from many parts of Wales, a Community Bank is warning that more and more people will be left without basic financial services. Mark White, CEO of Smart Money Cymru, is concerned that the cost-of-living crisis, coupled with the accelerating programme of bank closures, is leaving whole communities behind in terms of essential banking facilities. “The consequences of this for Wales are serious,” he said. “There have always been communities who have been unable to access fair banking for various reasons, and they have fallen victim to unscrupulous and illegal lenders who prey upon the vulnerable. My worry…