Author: Rhys Gregory

The FAW has announced that Dr Ian Mitchell has joined the Cymru National Teams as Head of Performance Psychology. Mitchell re-joins the FAW having previously worked with the Cymru Men’s National Team and age groups, most notably during the UEFA EURO 2016 where Chris Coleman’s side reached the semi- finals. As well as experience with the FAW, Mitchell worked with Swansea City during their time in the English Premier League and with the FA in England as Head of Performance Psychology for five years. The new role will entail working with the Cymru Men’s National Team as well as additional…

A community centre struggling to pay its spiralling energy bills has been rescued from closure thanks to a grant of more than £75,000. Calon Tysul Community Centre in Llandysul had appealed for help after its electricity and oil costs tripled. Now the centre, which was opened in 2017 and includes a swimming pool and fitness centre, has had solar PV panels and storage batteries installed. The system will dramatically reduce the running cost of the centre and help to bring those bills down. Around 70% of the cost of the work has been covered by a grant from the Wales European Funding…

Impress, the largest invisible orthodontics chain in Europe has announced the opening of its first clinic outside of England. The brand new Cardiff clinic boasts four dental boxes at 170m2, specialising in world-class dentistry. The clinic opened earlier this week, at Tyndall Street, Cardiff, CF10 4BQ, Unit 3 in the Capital Quarter. Impress aims to revolutionise the invisible orthodontic sector, using fully digital processes, high quality treatment and a skilled team to enable the company to become the largest chain of orthodontic clinics in Europe. Using the latest technology in all stages of diagnoses and treatment means people can relax in…

Two men have been arrested as part of a National Crime Agency investigation linked to organised immigration crime. The pair, aged 39 and 40, were arrested by NCA officers at a car wash in Caerphilly, south Wales, earlier on Tuesday (18 April). Both were arrested on suspicion of immigration offences, namely employing staff who have no right to work in the UK. Searches were carried out on the premises where a number of mobile phones, vehicles and documents were seized. Two people are understood to have been identified as workers at the car wash business and are now being managed…

A HOLISTIC therapist and coach had a great start to life in business after rising from ‘rock bottom’ to launch her own wellness hub. Based on Wellington Road in Rhyl, Becoming the Great is working with organisations across the country to heal those in need of support, including veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and people suffering panic attacks, anxiety, and negative beliefs. As well hosting workshops and one-to-one sessions, Helen – who herself fought back from depression and addiction with the help of her cousin, a Latvian monk – specialises in breakthrough coaching, while also selling crystals and self-care items.…

The latest research mapping the social enterprise sector in Wales has shown that post-Covid, the sector is going from strength to strength with high levels of entrepreneurial activity. Commissioned by Social Business Wales, Mapping the Social Business Sector in Wales (2022) revealed that: There are now approximately 2,828 businesses in the sector, an increase of 22% from 2020 (2309). Social businesses now account for 2.6% of the total business stock in Wales, up from 2.2% in 2020. Total turnover for the sector is calculated as £4.8bn, an increase of 26% from 2020 (£3.8bn). This includes large enterprises such as Dŵr…

Bridgend based Co-directors Oliver Lewis and Paul Ricketts have launched their latest project; Hawkstone Motor Finance. Bridgend based Hawkstone Commercials has recently announced the launch of Hawkstone Motor Finance. With a £7 million year one turnover, Hawkstone Commercials has taken another huge step in its staggering growth phase. Hawkstone Motor Finance is an independent finance broker with a large panel of lenders and the ability to deliver near instant decisions for customers. One of the key challenges that motor finance businesses have faced is the lack of provider options. Hawkstone Motor Finance has pushed the envelope in the range and…

When you walk down the high street of Cardiff, the burgeoning impact of Middle-Eastern fashion might not be the first thing that jumps out at you. Past the coffee shops and catalogued retailers, the growing influence of urban and Eastern styles on fashion has been adopted by more and more high-end brands. Annual fashion sales in the Middle East’s Gulf Cooperation Council, which consists of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, amount to roughly $50bn marking it almost equal to the UK, which in 2020 saw £45bn spent on clothing and textiles. Typically, the region…

Administrators from business advisory firm Quantuma have been appointed over Lane End Developments Construction Limited, a leading contracting developer for the housing sector across the North West and Wales, working exclusively with social housing providers. Quantuma managing directors Jeremy Woodside and Frank Ofonagoro, both of the firm’s Manchester office, were appointed as Joint Administrators of the Warrington-based company on 4 April 2023. The company was incorporated 2016 and has built more than 1,000 homes since then, as well as pioneering social value schemes. The business currently has live projects on 17 different sites, employing 118 members of staff in total. It…

Lee Coombes Accountancy, a leading provider of accountancy services in Swansea, has seen significant growth in 2023, expanding its team and adopting fully paperless practices to further improve its efficiency and sustainability. Over the past year, it has seen a surge in demand for its services, driven by the rapidly changing business landscape and increased reliance on digital solutions. As a result, the company has expanded its team with several new hires, including additional accountancy and support staff. In addition to expanding its team, Lee Coombes Accountancy has also moved fully paperless, streamlining its operations and reducing its environmental footprint.…