Author: Rhys Gregory

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…

Principality Building Society has repledged its commitment to Time to Change Wales to help support the mental wellbeing of its colleagues. Since it signed in 2015, Principality has made huge progress by introducing a number of policies after listening to feedback from its colleagues. It now has a team of mental health first aiders, has introduced a number of new networks such as one for mental health advocates, carers, as well as PRIDE and REACH groups, so colleagues can share their experiences in an informal, supportive space. Monthly  “rejuvenate days” are now common practice for all colleagues, so they can…

More than one in three UK adults surveyed (36 per cent) never make space in their day or the time to speak about their mental health – the equivalent of 19.6 million people aged 16 and over. And the cost-of-living crisis, on top of the long lasting impact of the pandemic, is affecting people’s ability to make space and manage their mental health. The mental health of nearly 8 in 10 Britons (78 per cent) surveyed has been affected by the cost-of-living crisis. The poll of more than 5,000 people was conducted as part of Time to Talk Day, the…

The Second Parc Margam 10k run raising money for the Mayor of Neath Port Talbot’s Charity Fund is to get under way in the beautiful surroundings of Port Talbot’s Margam Country Park on Sunday, March 12th, 2023. Entrants can choose between 10k and 5k routes and as well as enjoying the run through the historic park. The run starts and finishes at historic Margam Castle, and will showcase the very best of Margam Park. Runners will pass alongside three of the park’s lakes before meandering through its woodland trails and past the fields which are home to the famous Margam…

Pembrokeshire residents are once again the best recyclers in Wales, with nearly three-quarters of all waste recycled. Statistics published by Welsh Government show Pembrokeshire’s recycling rates were the highest in Wales last year – for the third year running. Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said the figure was outstanding. “As Wales is ranked third in the world for recycling, this is a massive achievement by everyone in Pembrokeshire,” he said. “I would like to thank every household in the county for getting behind this important aspect of reducing our carbon footprint and making Pembrokeshire a cleaner and…

Household recycling centres are not usually the first place someone would visit if they were looking for something antique or valuable. But a recent find of vintage books are sending curious collectors and bookworms, alike, into a spin. A collection of old books by P.G Wodehouse, which were destined for the dump, have been saved by Suez colleagues at Five Lanes Household Recycling Centre (HRC) near Caldicot and are thought to be worth several hundred pounds. Suez is the council’s contractor that looks after all three of Monmouthshire’s household recycling centres. The books, which were dropped off at HRC last year, caught the eye of colleagues, who thought…

Young people from Merthyr Tydfil’s Glynmil Caravan Park have remembered the lives of Gypsy/Roma Holocaust victims who died in World War Two by creating an educational art installation that will be on display at events and buildings across the UK. The artwork, which recently featured in a Holocaust commemoration service held at St Tydfil’s Parish Church, is currently at Merthyr Tydfil Central Library and will be displayed at other events before travelling to the Senedd in August for Roma Holocaust Memorial Day. A Welsh Government Youth Support Grant funded the project, which was led by Head4Arts’s Creative Director Kate Strudwick,…