Author: Rhys Gregory

Jellagen, an innovative biotech company and leader in biomaterials derived from jellyfish, has closed a successful £8.7m Series A equity investment round. The Development Bank of Wales invested £1.2 million in equity into the Cardiff based-company as part of the round, bringing it closer to human trials of its pioneering soft-tissue healing tech, which uses collagen derived from jellyfish to help heal human organs. Most collagen used in treatments comes from mammals such as pigs, cows and rats, which can increase the risk of diseases or viruses when used in humans. The jellyfish-sourced collagen – also known as Collagen Type…

Founders & Co., Swansea’s much-loved Wind Street hub of independent food, drink, fashion and shopping outlets, is celebrating small businesses by offering one lucky local business owner a support package, that includes a one-off cash grant and mentoring. This is the inaugural year for the Founders & Co. Small Business Support Package as the company looks to further build on its role as a nurturer of up-and-coming local business talent. Launched on 1st December, it’s simple for any small business to enter. Owners can nominate themselves or employees, customers and the wider Swansea community can nominate on their behalf, we…

A major new collaboration has been launched aimed at improving diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular patients across Wales. The Next Generation Population Health in NHS Wales project will see Hywel Dda University Health Board, Swansea University and global biotechnology firm Amgen working together over the next two years. The level of cardiovascular disease (CVD) health need across all regions is one of the biggest challenges facing the NHS in Wales today. Services and care for the patients with, or at risk of, CVD varies considerably in different areas, particularly when it comes to identifying high-risk patients and the adoption of evidence-based…

Aspire 2Be, a multi-award-winning learning technology company, this week announced the signing of a key partnership with Flotek Group. Flotek Group is an IT & Comms service provider delivering SMEs with trusted, innovative and cost-effective cloud technology. Jay Ball, Flotek CEO, said, “Deploying the right technology in the right way is critical to doing business efficiently and cost-effectively – but ensuring our customers team is fully trained is equally important and so with our new partnership we’re looking forward to identifying skill gaps across our customer base to get our customers working in the best possible way whilst maximising all…

A PROMINENT IT business which doubled in size during the pandemic helped thousands of people transition to remote working via a series of online webinars. Award-winning RISC IT Solutions – the largest Microsoft Gold partner in North Wales – held more than 70 virtual advice and guidance sessions over two years for more than 2,600 users representing 1300 companies UK-wide. Founded by Paul Roberts, the firm has increased its staff and revenue numbers by 100% and is in a strong position having recently celebrated its 21st anniversary. Managing Director Jeremy Keane revealed they will continue to push for 20% organic…

The opening season of Cabaret, Wales Millennium Centre’s vibrant new venue, has been launched – opening in February 2023 showcasing the very best in drag, burlesque, comedy, gig theatre and more. With a provocative, joyful and sometimes wild line up, Cabaret will be a safe space for everyone to express and enjoy themselves. Cabaret’s inaugural season features local collaborations with Cardiff Cabaret Club, Glitter Cymru and The Queer Emporium, as well as hot-ticket touring acts Big Band Burlesque and TV’s Paulus who celebrates the music of Victoria Wood. Wales Millennium Centre’s own work will also take to the stage. Luke…

Taxi Marshals will be on duty in Bridgend town centre this December, in a bid to ensure a safe journey home for revellers. Liaising closely with South Wales Police, the aim of the service is to provide an oversight – observing for any potentially disruptive situations, as well as supporting those leaving Bridgend’s night spots over the Christmas period. Working on Friday and Saturday evenings throughout December, between 11pm and 5am, two Taxi Marshals will be operating at the taxi rank on Market Street and a further two will be placed at the rank on Derwen Road. Taxi Marshals will…

A landlady has been ordered to pay over £10,000 at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court for a catalogue of failures relating to a house she owns and rents out as a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO.) Rowshanara Begum from Clive Street, Grangetown, Cardiff, did not attend court on December 1stand was sentenced in her absence. A fine of £2,000 was given for each of the five offences, resulting in a £10,000 fine, as well as £2,000 in costs and a victim surcharge of £190. The case came to light following a complaint from a tenant about the conditions at the rented property…

Roads in need of repair in Swansea are set to benefit from an additional £1million investment this year. The funding will also be targeted towards flooding hotspots in the city which have suffered most during severe weather. Swansea Council is seeking to approve a report which sets out plans to invest £5million extra into the city’s highway network over the next three years. The overall investment will mean that in 2022/23 an extra £1million will be spent on highway maintenance, including repairs to pavements and also tackling drainage and flooding issues in parts of the city. £2 million will be…

SWANSEA panto stalwart Kevin Johns MBE has been awarded the Honorary Freedom of the City. Mr Johns was honoured for his charity work and for being an ambassador for the city at a ceremony at Guildhall on December 8. Mr Johns follows Catherine Zeta Jones, rugby legend Alun Wyn-Jones and a host of others who’ve had the honour down the years. Rob Stewart, Leader of the Council, said: “While he’s in the public eye a lot, there’s also much Kevin does behind the scenes to support people in need and that’s one of the reasons why he deserves this award.…