Author: Rhys Gregory

Global biosciences company, Genesis Biosciences, has made a key appointment at its Cardiff-based headquarters to support its research into the varying strains of bacteria used in its environmentally-responsible, industry-leading products. Franziska Nagel, originally from Hamburg, Germany, has been appointed as R&D Scientist at Genesis’ UK laboratories and is already making strides in the lab progressing studies into the attributes and potential applications of specific Bacillus strains of bacteria that Genesis bases it’s eco-benign® solutions on. The company’s microbial formulations are continually challenging the use of harsh chemical technologies, replacing the need to use unsustainable, hazardous materials across various industries including…

Packaged Living are pleased to have submitted a planning application for the regeneration of Suffolk House, Trade Street, Cardiff to provide a build-to-rent homes development known as Trade Street Gardens. The application proposes 331 new rental homes comprising one, two and three bedroom apartments alongside fantastic amenity and commercial space to support local independent businesses and provide space for pop up community events. The proposal has been designed to meet the pressing need for new homes within the centre of Cardiff, whilst also providing an opportunity to create a gateway into the proposed Embankment regeneration development. The plans will see enhancements…

Cardiff Players will be putting on Agatha Christie’s “The Hollow” at the Paget Rooms, Penarth from the 31st March to the 2nd April. After more than two years off the stage due to the pandemic, the Cardiff Players are returning this March with an Agatha Christie classic – The Hollow. The return also sees the Players moving to a new theatre – the Paget Rooms in Penarth – after the Mike Barlow Theatre in Cardiff was transformed into additional housing for service users of the YMCA in Cardiff. Cast and crew of The Hollow have been restoring Edwardian furniture, upcycling items…

BT Group has announced plans to invest in a new state-of-the-art office in the centre of Cardiff which will become a hub for up to 900 employees in the city and wider region. The move represents a multi-million pound investment by BT in the city, and secures a new, significant presence for the company in the Welsh capital. The office will be in the new Capital Quarter development in the centre of the city, with BT Group employees due to move in before the end of 2022. Cardiff was named as a key location for BT in 2019 as part…

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…