Author: Rhys Gregory

Subject to regulatory approval, Principality Building Society has appointed Rajeev Marwaha as Chief Risk Officer to replace Mike Jones who retires next month. Mr Marwaha, former CRO at Saffron Building Society, has a well-established career in finance, including risk roles at Nationwide and Santander. He was recently the CRO of credit card fintech group Tymit. Julie-Ann Haines, CEO at Principality said: “I’m so pleased to welcome a talented chief risk officer in Raj to our team. Raj is an experienced CRO who has extensive experience of risk and compliance gained within market leading financial services companies. He also brings a…

A selfless volunteer from Cardiff has been recognised by Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort as part of the official Coronation celebrations in conjunction with Royal Voluntary Service. Mo Alamgir, who has been volunteering for more than 14 years for the Muslim Council of Wales and Dar-Ul-Isra Mosque, is one of 29 volunteers from Wales and 500 nationally to have been recognised for their contribution and crowned a Coronation Champion. This follows a call out to the nation to nominate their volunteer heroes. Almost 5000 nominations were made nationally for individuals aged 14 up to 103. Mo (41)…

Osprey Charging, one of the UK’s largest and leading electric vehicle (EV) charging networks, has increased access to public charging in Bridgend with high-powered EV chargers installed at two pubs, the Cherry Laurel (2 chargers) and Llangewydd Arms (3 chargers), supporting local residents, businesses and visitors with reliable EV infrastructure. The 75kW rapid charge points are compatible with every EV on the market today and can typically add 100 miles of range in just 35 minutes, depending on the model of the vehicle and its battery. With both sites located at pubs, the chargers are an ideal place to charge…

Welsh food tour operator Loving Welsh Food has been awarded a grant by from FOR Cardiff, Cardiff’s Business Improvement District, to create a new Cardiff food tour – The City of Arcades Tasting Tour. The tour will highlight the buzzing food scene centred around Cardiff’s arcades and city centre, showcasing the wide range of international cuisine available from independent food businesses. As well as food tastings, there will be opportunities to shop and to learn about the city’s vibrant history. City of Arcades is a brand created by FOR Cardiff in 2018 to promote Cardiff’s seven Victorian and Edwardian arcades…

Leading timber supplier Premier Forest Products has completed an agreement to sell the assets of their sawmill at Croespenmaen near Crumlin, South Wales to SDL Sawmills Ltd. As part of the mutually beneficial deal, SDL Sawmills will take on the site and existing staff and continue with full scale milling activities. With an offtake agreement, Premier Forest will continue to supply the finished sawn products from the mill to their existing, diverse customer base. Premier Forest has had a long relationship with another business in the SDL Group, which has the capability to manufacture the residues from the mill into wood pellets for…

A Youth Engagement Officer who grew up in care himself is helping support teens who face the same challenges he did by offering advice and guidance to help them get into training or employment. Cameron Carlson, age 24, from Bettws, is as a Youth Engagement Officer for Wales-wide skills and training provider Itec, working at its Blackwood and Newport centres, where he helps local teens build their confidence, gain new skills, and explore employment opportunities. Cameron’s passion for helping young people came from his own struggles as a teen which he faced alone, without any support. His own school experience…

A mother and son are leading from the front at a family-run animal bedding company that’s celebrating its 50th anniversary with a 25 per cent surge in sales. Chris Whittaker, a third generation director at the Wrexham-based Platts Group, has already won a major honour and his mum, managing director Caroline Platt, has been shortlisted for another one. Caroline, daughter of company founders Robert and Christine Platt, will be among the finalists in the sustainability category at the Institute of Directors’ Wales Director of the Year Awards on May 12. Meanwhile, Chris goes forward to the UK final of the…

A new app that has the potential to help protect and restore ecosystems and environments around the world is being launched by Aberystwyth University academics today (Thursday 4 May). As part of the Living Wales project, researchers have developed the app which records information on land cover using internationally-recognised terms. It monitors over 240 types of change, including forest clearance, fire damage, flooding and erosion – those caused by humans and natural events alike. Called ‘Earthtrack’, the app has already contributed to mapping and assessing forests and habitats in Wales as well as other countries, such as the impact of…

A leading science visitor attraction in the centre of Wrexham has revealed the full impact of its work engaging communities through STEM. After relocating to Henblas Street in 2020, Xplore! Science Discovery Centre has ‘exceeded all expectations’, focusing on creating a diverse experience for its visitors. Formally known as Techniquest Glyndŵr, the charity is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and has shared its work building partnerships with businesses, communities, and schools in its 2022/23 Impact Brochure. Through science-themed exhibitions, shows, and workshops, including ten new additions to the programme in the past year, 16,000 school learners have engaged in its outreach activities…

More than 1,200 homes in a dozen city communities are to get solar panels on their roofs to help them generate electricity and reduce the cost of energy. Around £26m has been set aside for the four-year project which will see work start on council houses this summer. The scheme will include installing PV solar panels and batteries to generate and store energy for electric power and light which can be used by individual residents on demand. More than 30 council properties in rural areas not on mains gas will also get an insulation upgrade and be provided with a…