Author: Rhys Gregory

The Development Bank of Wales and a syndicate of nine business angels are backing a Cardiff start-up with an equity investment of £370,000 that will help transform workplace training. Lead investor Andrew Diplock has led the fundraise which includes £185,000 from business angels and £185,000 match-funding from the Development Bank’s Wales Angel Co-investment Fund for eLearning company Academii. Based at Tramshed Tech, Academii is led by Adrian Coles and Steve Lanigan. It was Steve Lanigan who led the management buy-out of Caerphilly-based ALS People with the backing of the Development Bank. He grew the run rate from £13 million in…

Around 10% fewer elderly people who fall in nursing homes across Swansea and Neath Port Talbot are being taken to hospital by ambulance, thanks to better staff education. The unique training rolled out by Morriston Hospital clinicians to 177 nursing home staff has also dramatically reduced the number of people who have fallen having to stay where they fell because staff were afraid to move them. Now, because of the training, there has been a 99% reduction in fallers staying on the floor until an ambulance arrives. Instead, staff feel confident to move many people who have taken a tumble…

AN AWARD-WINNING recruitment agency celebrating a decade in business is planning for expansion and targeting new industries. A busy year has seen Rhyl-based QiStaff Solutions experience a surge in demand for candidates to fill clerical and administrative vacancies. And building on the company’s strong connections in manufacturing and construction, directors Evette Easton and Julie Lloyd are planning to open a second office in north east Wales, to service customers in Flintshire, Wrexham and Cheshire. Employing five consultants at its Russell Road headquarters, QiStaff is one of the most respected names in the sector – Evette and Julie have more than…

The more strictly people complied with Covid restrictions during the pandemic, the worse their mental health today, new research has found. The analysis by researchers from Bangor University looked at the behaviour of around 1700 people during the Covid restrictions in relation to their personality traits and their post-pandemic recovery. The study aimed to answer three broad questions: who follows health advice, what can be done to improve compliance; and what are the costs for those who comply? The team found that those who were more sensitive to the needs of others were more likely to have complied with lockdown…

Commercial law firm Darwin Gray is experiencing a significant period of success, having grown in numbers by 30% in the past 12 months alone, and welcoming new members to all levels and parts of the firm, including senior solicitors, trainees and support staff. The firm’s recent successes signify considerable positive change for Darwin Gray, including the opening of its north Wales office in Bangor, multiple award wins, and being named amongst the top law firms of 2023 by The Times. Managing Partner, Fflur Jones, said: “We are proud of the talent we retain and attract to Darwin Gray. The success…

Cardiff-based Lexington Corporate Finance has bolstered its specialist advisory credentials with the appointment of HSBC’s former head of corporate banking as a senior advisor to its team. Warren Lewis, 54, retired from HSBC in September, after a 35-year career where he gained invaluable experience across a range of disciplines, from credit and risk management to retail, commercial and global banking. He spent the last eight years as Head of Corporate Banking for Wales, where he supported clients with major restructures, international mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments and MBOs. Mr Lewis joins Lexington in a move that further bolsters the…

A Welsh film maker has made broadcasting history with a James Bond-themed global television blockbuster. Father-of-two Julian Jones, 51, who was brought up in Llanrwst and Newtown, is the director of the new big budget Prime Video series 007: Road to a Million that was given glittering launches in London and New York. The show, that’s available in more than 240 countries, features an epic adventure with nine pairs of everyday people being given a shot at winning a life-changing £1 million prize by completing a series of spectacular Bond-inspired challenges. Julian teamed up with Golden Globe winning actor Brian…

The growth of a specialist engineering company that keeps the world’s airlines flying is being jet-propelled by a £1.6 million investment package. According to Jeff Wirth, the managing director of Continental Diamond Tool, on the Tir Llwyd Industrial Estate in Kinmel Bay, in Conwy, the rapid expansion is down to a perfect combination of the Welsh work ethic and American backing. As part of the company’s expansion plans,  it has opened a second production unit across the road to house its new electro-plating operation which has received support from the Welsh Government. The niche outfit – one of only two…

A newly-qualified driver who has recently completed Transport for Wales’ train driving apprenticeship has been crowned Apprentice of the Year at this year’s Skills Academy Wales Awards. The award ceremony took place on 7 November 2023, at the Skills Academy Wales Neath Port Talbot Campus. Each year, the event serves as a platform to honour and showcase exceptional individuals and businesses from across Wales. The awards are dedicated to celebrating the fantastic achievements of those engaged in Skills Academy Wales’s work-based learning programmes throughout 2022/2023. A huge congratulations to Jamilla Fletcher on her well-deserved win for all her hard work…

A programme aimed at helping Swans fans aged between 35 and 65 get fitter and healthier has received a funding boost. The FIT Jacks programme run by the Swansea City AFC Foundation is to be extended, thanks to funding from Swansea Council through the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. First launched in February this year, the FIT Jacks programme is aimed at men and women who are looking to lose weight, improve their diet and lead a more active life. The programme sees participants take part in a 13-week weight management and behaviour change course, run by trained expert…