Author: Rhys Gregory

The headline NatWest Wales Business Activity Index – a seasonally adjusted index that measures the month-on-month change in the combined output of the region’s manufacturing and service sectors – registered 60.7 during February, up from 55.0 in January, to signal a marked expansion in private sector output. The rate of output growth was the fastest seen for four months and among the sharpest of the 12 monitored UK areas, slower than only London and Yorkshire & Humber. Firms noted that the uptick in activity stemmed from stronger client demand and a steeper rise in new business. Welsh private sector firms…

Local businessman Karl Symmonds has completed the management buy-out of Tru-Plas, the home improvements company based in his home town of Haverfordwest. Financed by a six-figure loan from the Development Bank of Wales, the management buy-out has enabled former owner and Director Rhys Hoddinott to handover Tru-Plas to Karl who first joined in 2018 and has since been responsible for the management of the business. Rhys will remain involved in an advisory capacity to ensure a smooth transition with customers and suppliers. Established in 1991, Tru-Plas is a well-respected home improvements company that specialises in PVCu doors, windows, conservatories and…

Bouygues UK has started the second phase of its build at Pencoedtre High School in Barry, to build the floodlit all-weather hockey pitch, as well as grass rugby and football pitches. The contractor handed over the main buildings of the £34.7 million school to the Vale of Glamorgan Council, staff and pupils of the school on 23rd December, allowing the pupils and staff to start the spring term in the new building. Work has now begun on the second stage of the build – the outside sports facilities. Bouygues UK started the project before the pandemic hit, and despite having…

The extensive refurbishment of Cardiff University’s Bute Building – home to the internationally-renowned Welsh School of Architecture (WSA) for more than 100 years – has been completed. The project has formed part of Cardiff University’s biggest campus upgrade in a generation, which has seen more than £600m invested in research and teaching facilities. Originally designed by Sir Percy Thomas, the Grade II listed Bute Building has undergone a £9.7m renovation that has completely modernised the facilities with the addition of new studios, offices, workshops and a state-of-the-art exhibition hall. Global, interdisciplinary design practice, BDP, was the project architect. The refurbishment has…

On Saturday 12 March, a group of children who have cerebral palsy and their families visited Dyffryn Gardens to mark the launch of a new partnership between National Trust Cymru and Cerebral Palsy Cymru. Together, the two charities aim to work beyond their boundaries to benefit people and nature by creating new green spaces and increasing access to the outdoors. To launch the partnership and to celebrate the Trust’s annual #BlossomWatch campaign, children from Cerebral Palsy Cymru planted two blossom trees and hundreds of snowdrops in the arboretum at Dyffryn Gardens near Cardiff. Eleven-year-old, Mary Tuck from Cerebral Palsy Cymru…

A North Wales-based PR agency is continuing its strong start to the year after being shortlisted for two industry awards. Outwrite PR is up for best integrated communications campaign as well as integrated PR agency of the year at the PR Moment Awards. The PR company, which secured 15 new contracts last year and doubled the size of its team to six people, kick-started 2022 with new client wins and further recruitment. Outwrite, which won five PR awards in 2021, worked with Jones Bros Civil Engineering and Cambridgeshire County Council on a £32m level crossing scheme, with PR activity including…

Ned Boulting, ITV’s lead Tour de France commentator, will be returning to Newport’s Riverfront theatre on Wednesday 12th October with his one-man stage show to provide a fresh assault on your cycling senses. The cunningly entitled “Re-Tour de Ned” is an indispensable theatrical road map for anyone aspiring to wear the yellow jersey on the Champs Elysées: a really very rough guide to the tactics (pedal faster) and challenges (not pedalling fast enough) which will need to be deployed to win the biggest bike race in the world. Ned’s visit to Newport is the fourth leg of a 29-date tour that will…

The foodie favourite that is the Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival is back with a bang this year with a whole host of tasty treats to tempt festival goers across the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend (17-18 April). With something to suit all diets, ages and interests – moreish meats, vegan varieties, curries, cheeses, chutneys; scrumptious ciders, great gins, sweet treats and so much more – it promises to be a real highlight in this year’s calendar. As well as the main festival site, the Old Hall Gardens will be buzzing with plenty of family-friendly activities to enjoy including artist workshops,…

120 pupils from Corpus Christi Catholic High School and Llysfaen Primary School in Cardiff have been working with artist David Mackie to develop a public art programme that celebrates the diversity of their local wildlife. Using biodiversity as the theme, the pupils have created a series of designs for a new sculpture trail that will surround Redrow’s homes at Churchlands in Lisvane, Cardiff. Due to be constructed in Autumn 2022, the trail through public open spaces will include a combination of sculptures, seating, and signage as well as railings, bollards and lighting. David Mackie said: “Noticing the everyday nature close…

Leading specialist personal injury and medical negligence law firm, Novum Law, based in Cardiff and its sister Court of Protection firm, Hyphen Law has appointed Sally Calverley as its new Chief Executive. Sally brings a wealth of expertise and experience from the legal sector where she has held senior positions at law firms including Carbon Law Partners, Bevan Brittan and Capsticks. An experienced executive coach and business mentor, Sally is a founding partner of the highly successful management consultancy business, Richmonte Wells, which launched in 2010 to provide strategic advice to growing, ambitious businesses in the professional services sector. She…