Author: Rhys Gregory

The programme of works to re-open the Menai Suspension Bridge has begun. The programme is scheduled to be complete within 4 weeks, subject to adverse weather conditions. The Welsh Government and UK Highways A55 Ltd, alongside engineering firms Spencer Group and COWI, worked together to codevelop the emergency programme. The emergency works required a bespoke design and procurement strategy, which was developed at pace following the unexpected closure of the Menai Suspension Bridge on 21 October 2022, due to a structural issue that posed a risk to public safety. The programme will begin with the installation of the emergency works…

The Royal Mint Experience, based in Llantrisant, South Wales has today revealed the first £2 coin of the year that members of the public can strike themselves as part of their visit from 6th January. The £2 coin will also bear His Majesty The King’s official coin portrait. The reverse of the £2 coin features a design to celebrate British physician Edward Jenner, who pioneered the concept of vaccines. Coin striking is an experience loved by the thousands of visitors who come to The Royal Mint Experience each year from across the globe. To this date an extraordinary 227,891 coins…

DEPOT has chosen City Hospice, Cardiff’s local hospice, as its charity of the year for 2023. Depot is an original and exciting venue in the city which has played host to festivals, screenings, themed experiences and corporate events. Since opening in 2015, the venue has become the home of street food in Cardiff, created innovative new events such as Bingo Lingo and organised events across the capital such as Depot in the Castle and Depot in the Park. The popular organisation has now selected City Hospice as its charity of the year for 2023 and will support the charity by…

Following a rigorous independent assessment process, South West law firm, Stephens Scown LLP, is the latest UK business to become a Certified B Corporation™ (B Corp™), joining a growing group of businesses across the world who are committed to balancing people, planet and profit. Employee-owned law firm, Stephens Scown LLP, announced today it has received B CorpTM Certification by the non-profit B Lab, becoming the first law firm in the South West to do so and one of only a handful of B Corp law firms in the UK. B Corp Certification requires a holistic review of a business’ social…

Principality Building Society has appointed an experienced former Chief Risk Officer, Ian Greenstreet, to its board as a non-executive director. Ian brings diverse managerial and board experience in banking, insurance, and financial technology, alongside skills in risk, strategic growth, and finance. As a Chartered Accountant, Ian has extensive experience at an executive level, working in senior roles at leading financial institutions including HSBC, Lloyds, and ABN AMRO. He is also the founder and CEO of Infinity Capital Partners, a London-based corporate finance firm. Ian joins Principality as a member of the Audit committee, as well as the Governance and Nominations…

Registrations for IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea 2023 are now sold out. Next year’s race will see 1,900 athletes take to the start line in Swansea, Wales on July 16, 2023. Athletes from all over the globe and all age groups will compete in Wales next summer, traversing scenic coastline and rolling countryside before culminating in Swansea’s city centre. Swansea Council cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies said: “We’re delighted that IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea on July 16 is already a sell-out. It’s another great – and successful – event being held in our spectacular coastal location. That weekend will also see thousands of athletes,…

As we exit 2022 it is worth reflecting on where we were this time last year, says Paul Slevin is Executive Chair of Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid. “Restrictions due to Covid were being lifted and while Christmas itself was again disrupted, there was great optimism that the excellent work of the NHS and vaccinations would allow us to return to a different normal. “That period of restrictions severely tested business, employees, and society as we endured the full scope of the virus.   “The impact on some was profound, but we left 2021 with a level of optimism…

The world’s biggest culinary event is coming to Wales in 2026. A Team Wales partnership has secured the Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026 for the nation. Wales defeated Italy 28-24 in a final vote, announced by Worldchefs, to host the global event which is expected to attract 1,000 chefs and more than 5,000 visitors from 100 plus countries around the world to International Convention Centre Wales (ICC Wales) and the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport. The successful bid to host this event, which is held every two years, involved months of work and lobbying by the Culinary Association of Wales…

There is less than one month for around 5.7 million Self Assessment customers to file their tax return or they may face a penalty, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) said. More than 12 million customers are expected to file a tax return for the 2021 to 2022 tax year by 31 January 2023. HMRC has revealed that 129 customers submitted theirs on 1 January between 00:00 and 00:59, joining those customers who have already met their obligations. More than 42,500 customers chose to see in the new year by submitting their return on 31 December and 1 January: New Year’s…

A Pembrokeshire man who raped and sexually assaulted young children, and posted images of the abuse to other paedophiles on the dark web, has been jailed for life. Martyn Armstrong was identified after specialist National Crime Agency investigators reversed distortion filters he used to disguise his face in the images. The abuse began 17 years ago in June 2005 and continued to February 2011. The 50-year-old was stopped and arrested by South Wales Police officers while driving on the M4 on 30 July 2022, following a request by the NCA. Law enforcement partners across the world had been trying to…