Author: Rhys Gregory

ICC Wales is to host Europe’s largest data platform conference, SQLBits, further cementing Newport as a leading technology hub within Wales and the UK. SQLBits, which has previously been held at The Celtic Manor Resort, will take over the entire 26,000sqm ICC Wales venue and will provide data professionals with a platform for networking, development and knowledge sharing and provides an extensive educational programme with more than 300 sessions. SQLBits, which runs from the 14th to 18th March 2023, has a mission to educate their attendees and inspire the next generation of data professionals by teaching them the ever-expanding data…

Rhiannon Peploe-Williams, of Blake Morgan LLP in Cardiff, is to become Branch Chair of Women in Property South Wales.  She takes the role on 1 March for one year, with a remit to continue to grow and evolve the branch. Rhiannon is an Associate in the Real Estate team at Blake Morgan LLP where she specialises in commercial property transactions with particular emphasis on retail asset management for both landlords and tenants and commercial property acquisition and disposal. She has been a committee member of Women in Property South Wales for five years and was Vice Chair in 2021 (prior…

An entrepreneur is planning to climb up Machu Picchu, in the Peruvian Andes in aid of Parkinson’s UK Cymru. Founder of Sizzle Marketing, Sam Williams, from Pontypool, whose dad has the condition, is aiming to get to the iconic 15th-century Inca citadel in Peru in April. The 27-year-old marketing consultant will arrive at what is often referred to as the “Lost City of the Incas”, which is located on a 2,430-metre mountain ridge, at the end of an epic four day trek. His dad, Mark Williams, 60, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 16 years ago, and Sam says he’s been inspired…

A favourite on the Cardiff street food scene, Bao Selecta will open their first permanent stall inside Cardiff’s iconic Central Market, selling their popular steamed bao buns. Owners Nick Spann and his wife Karolina have developed a vegan-only menu for the stall, which will include their award-winning* crispy seitan ‘beef’ bao bun – part of the menu that won the ‘people’s choice award’ at the Welsh Street Food Awards back in 2020. Nick, 40, originally from Shropshire, has lived and worked in the food industry in Cardiff since 2007. After a dinner party where he first tested out his bao…

Ambition North Wales is leading the call to action, encouraging businesses and organisations to seize the opportunity to access a £30million funding allocation announced in February. With two weeks until the closing date, bids are sought for projects which have the potential to drive economic growth and innovation to create jobs and to support local communities. The North Wales Growth Deal’s portfolio of Agri-Food and Tourism; Low Carbon Energy, Land and Property programmes are to be the focus for the funding. However, bids for project which align with the Digital Connectivity and Innovation in High Value Manufacturing programmes are also…

Llandudno, Wales – On Friday, March 3, Rob Lloyd, in partnership with Sense, hosted an event aimed at promoting charity donations throughout the UK. The event was a success with support from Adam Williams, owner of Llandudno pier, and celebrity stylist Rachel Gold. Rob Lloyd and Adam Williams, dressed like ‘Rag and bone men aka Steptoe and son,’ delivered bags of clothing to the Sense shop in Llandudno. The pair launched a National Campaign to collect 10,000 bags of clothing throughout the country. Rob said, “We want to encourage people to detox their wardrobes and drop donations to Sense charity…

Welsh ICE Announces New Leadership Team and Board Diversity Milestone as Lesley Williams becomes CEO and Llinos Neale moves to Non-Exec Director Welsh ICE, a leading coworking space in Wales has announced a significant leadership transition with the promotion of CEO Llinos Neale to a non-exec board position and Lesley Williams to CEO. Llinos, who has been instrumental in Welsh ICE’s growth and success, will be stepping away from her day-to-day CEO duties as she pursues her passion for the creative sector. This move comes as Outreach and Partnership Director Lesley Williams takes the helm as CEO, bringing her extensive…

A community hydro plant has become operational at Cambrian Village Trust benefitting the long-term security of the facility, whilst safeguarding the future enjoyment for thousands of people who visit each year. Cambrian Village Trust, based on the banks of Cwmclydach Country Park, acquired the plant in April last year after the project was moth-balled by another organisation. Working in partnership with engineering and electrical contractors, the team has worked hard to bring the site into use and is already reporting a positive impact. The hydro plant is directly connected to the café at the site and has significantly reduced costs…

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) held its inaugural Jessie Donaldson Annual Lecture, with the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor sharing her journey from Mexico to Wales through an inspirational career in Academia. Professor Elena Rodriguez-Falcon FREng spoke to a packed audience in the University’s Reading Room at Alex, Swansea College of Art, delivering a speech entitled “What’s the Worst that can Happen?”. Drawing upon personal as well as professional challenges, the lecture explored how Professor Rodriguez-Falcon navigated a career pathway through various institutions by facing difficulties head on, keeping a steadfast focus on teaching, transforming and inspiring students’ lives…

A community group which supports the vulnerable and lonely and their carers in the Vale of Clwyd is appealing for volunteer drivers to help them reach even more isolated people. The Denbigh Forget Me Not Project’s team of willing helpers hold regular free monthly activities and meetings at the town’s Plas Pigot Social Club but would like to extend their services to local villages. Their Saturday morning workout attracted a good turnout of all ages and was taken by Shaun Hughes, an exercise instructor with Denbighshire Leisure Services, and attended by Lisa James, of one of the project supporters, Lock…