Author: Rhys Gregory

British pop giants Madness will headline the Welsh capital this summer. After waiting patiently for a return to live music, the ‘Nutty Boys’ are finally getting back to doing what they do best – getting everyone together for a raucous live bash. And with a set list teeming with hits from their unrivalled back catalogue, what a night it promises to be. Madness famously emerged from the backstreets of Camden Town in the late 70s, and recently released a three-part original docu-series about the beginnings of the band in the area;  Before We Was We: Madness by Madness, chronicles the…

20-year-old Mathew Clark says his apprenticeship gave him a new focus in life after his career aspirations of joining the RAF were shattered due to a medical condition. To mark Apprenticeship Week Wales 2022, he is now encouraging other young people in Wales not to give up hope of following their dream career. The Level 2 Air Traffic Engineer Apprentice, who works at Ceredigion-based airfield West Wales Airport, always knew he wanted a career in the aviation industry. “Since I was 10 years old, my career goal was to work in the RAF. I worked hard in school, but I…

Azets, the UK’s largest regional accountancy firm and business advisor to SMEs, has announced a raft of promotions in South Wales, as part of a growth plan for the area. Craig Yearsley, who has been with the firm for over 10 years, has been promoted to partner, focusing on audit. His experience sits across both public and private sector clients, and in his new role, will be responsible for overseeing a considerable portfolio of SMEs as well as a variety of larger group companies, and government bodies. Working alongside Craig, Claire Thompson has been promoted to Director in the audit team with a…

The leaders of Wales’ contact centre industry have branded the current recruitment battle between sectors to simply fill vacancies as “shortsighted” and are instead encouraging job seekers to realise that they have the power to choose careers over jobs. Speaking ahead of a major industry recruitment event at Cardiff City Hall on the 17th February, the Welsh Contact Centre Forum (WCCF) says those looking to find their next should expect more than a wage. Sandra Busby, managing director of the WCCF, said: “The fact that almost every sector in the UK has launched major recruitment drives is all the evidence…

2B Enterprising, who recently announced the completion of their first investment round, a deal advised on by the GS Verde Group, have announced a partnership with the dealmaking business to support local primary schools. The partnership will see a number of primary schools across Wales and England receive The Bumbles of Honeywood enterprise skills programme, devised by 2B Enterprising for children aged 5 to 8 years old. 2B Enterprising has rapidly expanded, having grown from a team of 2 to 10 employees in just 6 months and are already working with over 80 schools in south Wales and England. The…

The apparel, accessories and footwear industry is currently the worlds largest e-commerce sector and is valued at around $759.5bn. Much of the sector is made up of fast fashion, and with the industry expected to grow into a trillion-dollar market in the next five years, it’s unlikely to slow down. Big industry value comes with big industry problems and some reports credit the sector with producing 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year – more than the shipping and aviation industry combined. The World Economic Forum lists the fashion industry as the planets third-largest polluter, and responsible for 5%…

A prestigious industry body for UK business leaders has awarded its highest membership grade to a North Wales director for his dedication to the business community. The Institute of Directors (IoD) has recognised David Roberts, who runs the North-East Wales peer-to-peer coaching service The Alternative Board (TAB), as a Fellow of the organisation. David has been chair of the IoD North Wales branch since February 2021, following three years on the committee with activity including supporting company directors and managers through training and networking opportunities. In addition to showing a strong commitment to his own professional development, he has also…

ASW Property Services, a property services specialist covering Wales, the Midlands and the South West of England, has offered permanent employment to three apprentices originally taken on through its partnership with Cyfle Building Skills Shared Apprenticeship Scheme. The company has made the announcement during National Apprenticeship Week 2022, which is taking place between the 7th and the 13th of February. The theme this year is ‘Build the Future’, which is designed to recognise the benefit of apprenticeships in delivering a rewarding career and for businesses in developing a talented and well-equipped workforce. Carpenters Ewan Evans and Keilan Ryan and fire…

The brand-new home for Fitzalan High School has accomplished its topping out milestone, as construction reaches the highest point at the new school building in Leckwith. Jointly funded by Cardiff Council and Welsh Government, the £64m scheme is the city’s latest to be delivered under the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme. To mark the milestone, Cardiff Council’s Leader, Cllr Huw Thomas and Cardiff’s Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Cllr Sarah Merry were joined at the site of the new school by the Welsh Government’s Minister for Education and Welsh Language Jeremy Miles MS. Other guests included Fitzalan High…

Caerphilly Cabinet have recently endorsed the recommendation that the experimental traffic regulation orders at three primary schools within the borough be made permanent. The implementation of pedestrian and cycle zones were initially made on an experimental basis in September 2020, after funding was received from Welsh Government’s Local Sustainable Transport Response Fund; with the schemes being in force for a period of 18 months. The three primary schools that were selected are listed below: Libanus Primary School in Blackwood Risca Primary School Twyn Primary School in Caerphilly The schools were chosen as their locations were deemed feasible for the measures…