Author: Rhys Gregory

COLEG CAMBRIA received a glowing report for its further education provision. Estyn, the education and training inspectorate for Wales, praised the north east Wales institution – which has sites in Deeside, Wrexham, Llysfasi and Northop – for its “clear focus on improving the learning experiences” of students Inspectors also referenced Cambria’s “inclusive and caring environment” and highlighted that “most learners feel safe and supported”. Their report added: “Across the college, learners value the culture that promotes their independence and supports them for progression to the next level and the world of work. “The curriculum offers a wide range of courses…

RSPCA Cymru is appealing for information after six rabbits were found abandoned in a dog crate in a wooded area in Newport. A member of the public found the two adult rabbits and four baby rabbits in a dog crate on 28 January at around 4pm in a wooded area near Dyffryn. Sadly one of the babies was found dead, and another shortly died afterwards. RSPCA deputy chief inspector Gemma Black said: “The rabbits are now safe in our care with the two baby rabbits going into foster homes and the two adults being cared for at a boarding establishment.…

Aldi is rolling out its partnership with the world’s largest surplus food platform, Too Good To Go, to all of its stores in Wales. Following a successful trial last year, the UK’s fastest-growing supermarket is making the surplus food bags available nationwide, in a bid to tackle food waste while also offering even lower prices to customers. The ‘Magic Bags’ will contain a range of grocery products that are approaching their sell-by or use-by dates at less than a third of the price, costing just £3.30 each to purchase for at least £10 worth of food. To get a Magic…

An artist from Llandudno Junction is opening a contemporary gallery in Colwyn Bay aimed at breaking down barriers in the art world and reinvigorating North Wales’s cultural scene by incorporating the world of NFTs and the Metaverse. Rob Bebbington, 31, came up with the idea for ink. Gallery after feeling inspired by the sense of community in the world of street art. “I’d come from a fine art education but I loved the street art community, its diversity and its welcoming spirit and I wanted to bring that to North Wales. I felt like there was a need for new…

Archway Veterinary Centre, which has branches in Chepstow and Caldicot, has transitioned into an employee-owned business, the first veterinary practice to do so in Wales. The practice is now owned by 26 of its staff and is governed by an Employee Ownership Trust. Andrea Reynolds, who has been one of the directors of the business since 2011 – taking over sole interest in the small animal practice in 2014 – has sold her interest in the business to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). Andrea will remain at Archway as one of three clinical Directors, while there are also three Trustee…

ACT, Wales’ leading training provider has collaborated with WJEC, Wales’ largest  awarding organisation to create a Self-Development and Wellbeing qualification targeted at young people. This sector leading qualification is the first of its kind for ACT and WJEC and directly addresses the issues and barriers to learning that many young people today now face. The qualification units were devised around ACT’s wellbeing wheel which encompasses a range of topics from emotional resilience to personal identity, hygiene and more. The qualification units support learners’ personal growth as well as their engagement with learning and is also unitised and credit-based, allowing for…

Start Up Loans, part of the British Business Bank, announces that the programme has facilitated over 100,000 loans worth more than £941 million to businesses throughout the UK. The figure marks a significant milestone for the programme since its creation in 2012. Of the 4,461 loans received in Wales, 37% have been to women and 7% to people from Black, Asian and Other Ethnic Minority backgrounds (not including White Minorities). Young people between 18-24 years in Wales have received 13% of loans since 2012. Emily Richards, 32, from Skewen, launched Caru Spirits in April 2022. The company makes sustainably-produced brandy…

The small, family-run business, which first opened its doors in 1973, celebrates its 50th birthday as one of the UK’s largest repair and sealant companies, with four offices across England, Scotland and Wales this year. From its headquarters in Caldicot, SD Team now employs over 200 staff members across a range of divisions that work all over the UK and beyond. Since its launch in 1973, the business has employed hundreds of staff and has worked on around 22,000 projects a year across the United Kingdom, including notable sites such as the Commonwealth Games Village in Glasgow, the SS Great…

Finboot is announcing today it has appointed former Evonik Chief Information Officer and Head of Global IT Services, Dr Bettina Uhlich, as a Non-Executive Director on the board. Evonik is a listed German chemical manufacturing company headquartered in Essen.  It is one of the largest chemical companies in the world.  Dr Uhlich enjoyed a 34-year career at Evonik – working in numerous roles across the business.  Her vast and senior-level experience encompasses an understanding of complex processes involved in chemical manufacture, including procurement, supply chains, distribution and supporting IT systems. This 360-degree view of complex chain processes means she was one of…

Scale-up businesses from across Wales are being urged to apply to join one of the leading accelerator hubs for entrepreneurs. The NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator in Cardiff has already helped hundreds of entrepreneurs from across all parts of Wales achieve national and international success. And with applications now open for the next accelerator cohort, entrepreneurs are being encouraged not to miss out with the deadline for applications closing on February 17. The NatWest Accelerator supports and empowers entrepreneurs to scale their businesses to the next level and specialises in complete wraparound support. The free programme includes:  one-to-one coaching with NatWest’s experienced…