Author: Rhys Gregory

Swansea Building Society has reached a substantial landmark in its growth story – in the same month it has unveiled a number of new investments including a £1 million investment in IT and the recruitment of 6 new staff. The Building Society has built on its 2021 success and growth – when its total assets, mortgage balances, savings, capital and profits all reached record highs – by hitting the landmark £500 million in total assets for the first time. It achieved that on the back of posting growth of £28.5 million in the first quarter – its highest ever growth…

Joseph Thomas, a second year Fashion Design student at the University of South Wales (USW), has launched a genderless clothing range to fit a variety of body types, using prints inspired by his nephew’s drawings. The 22-year-old, who is originally from Swansea, established his own brand, Haus Of Androgyny, with the aim of making clothing that is as inclusive as possible. “The inspiration for my brand came from my experience growing up,” said Joe. “I struggled to find clothing that suited my style – a mixture of masculine and feminine – and was often unable to find pieces in high…

Cardiff-based international freight forwarders, Freight Systems Express Wales (FSEW), has launched a full customs clearance service to help businesses struggling with post-Brexit import and export rules. FSEW is a logistics and international freight forwarding company based at Freightliner in Wentloog, Cardiff. Currently employing approximately 70 people, the company provides transport services to clients in the UK, Europe, and worldwide. Research by the British Chambers of Commerce found that 60% of exporters face difficulties adapting to the changes to goods trade following the ratification of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) in January 2021. When asked about the specific difficulties businesses faced, commonly cited…

A Cardiff man and woman have been handed suspended prison sentences for causing unnecessary suffering to their dog after failing to treat a “horrific injury” on her face. Dean Wayne Dando and Ceri Ann Parker both of Highbury Road, Ely, appeared at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 10 May. They each faced the same one offence under the Animal Welfare Act in that on and before 2 July 2021 at Highbury Road, they caused unnecessary suffering to their dog Elsa, by failing to ensure she had received veterinary care for swelling to her face and/or weight loss. Both defendants pleaded…

As an occupational therapist, one of Eleri D’Arcy’s passions has always been striving to prevent the number of falls that occur in day to day life. Whether it’s offering advice around making changes at home or providing support if someone has suffered a fall, her role has centred on reducing the risks and potential impacts associated with falling. “Occupational therapists tend to look at falls holistically; considering the physical and cognitive challenges a person may face, the environment, levels of activity, understanding of risks and their personal preferences and goals,” Eleri said. “We look at how people can remain independent and…

Tech company Nightingale HQ has appointed Chris Wilson as its new Chief Technical Officer (CTO) as it continues to set out its vision to promote digitisation across the manufacturing sector. The Cardiff-headquartered data and AI company specialise in helping manufacturers to digitalise and optimise their operations. The company has seen significant growth in this industry, expanding across the UK, Ireland, and Germany, with further partnerships across Europe expected in the next twelve months. Having originally joined Nightingale HQ in 2019, Chris played a key role in delivering core customer projects, he will now lead on the company’s technology vision and…

The latest Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Small Business Index (SBI) showed an increase in cost of doing business in Wales, with 80.4% of small firms in Wales reporting increase in costs in the first quarter. 67.9% of firms cited rising fuel costs as the main reason for an increase in costs, followed closely by rising utility prices. Despite increased cost concerns, the SBI also found a rise in small business confidence in Wales, with an easing of Covid-related restrictions in the first months of 2022. This followed national trends, which saw a general uplift across the UK following consecutive…

Volunteer support has helped a Ruthin wildflower site bloom with colour. Last Autumn, Ruthin’s Friends of the Earth along with other local volunteers and staff helped plant up thousands of wildflower plants on a large road verge at Glasdir. Denbighshire County Council’s Wildflower Meadow project has become larger this year following the announcement of additional sites for the environment initiative. Following the Council’s declaration of a climate and ecological emergency in 2019, this project is part of an ongoing commitment to enhancing biodiversity across the county, At the end of 2021 there were nearly 60 Wildflower Meadows project sites, including…

A LONG-STANDING accountancy firm has joined forces with a leading name in the sector. Lotti Summers Ltd in Beaumaris, Anglesey, is now part of Salisbury’s Chartered Accountants. The move comes after Salisbury’s – based in St Asaph, Penmaenmawr and Ruthin – opened new offices in Menai Bridge. Lotti grew up on the island and has spent more than 30 years in the industry; she and colleague Jess Massey are delighted to retain the company’s identity while uniting with the award-winning practice, led by Directors Aled Roberts, Jeremy Salisbury, and Jason Matischok. “I look forward to this next chapter for the…

A giant triangle that’s the height of 36 double decker buses stacked on top of each other has appeared on a hillside overlooking Denbigh. The massive structure in the shape of the famous Urdd logo has created a huge stir on social media and has been designed to flag up that the organisation’s National Eisteddfod is finally coming to town at the end of May. The week-long festival was originally due to be held there in 2020 but had to be postponed for the last two years due to Covid-19. The event, one of Europe’s largest youth festivals which usually…