Author: Rhys Gregory

After almost 20 years as head of Menter a Busnes, chief executive officer Alun Jones is to step away from the company he joined three decades ago. Alun, who has been with the company since its earliest days, will leave Menter a Busnes this autumn. His decision comes after nearly two decades of guiding it to commercial success, cementing its reputation as a driver for rural enterprise, and championing the use of Welsh in business. During his time at Menter a Busnes, Alun has seen the size and scope of the not-for-profit company flourish and become a leading independent economic…

Housebuilding group, Edenstone, has announced a raft of senior promotions as it expands its presence across South Wales and the South West of England with nine senior promotions at its head office in Magor and its Portishead office. In Portishead, James Morgan steps up from his role as Senior Land Manager to become Land Director (Southern), with solicitor, and legal director, Helen Thomas picking up a newly created role as Group Legal Director. Planner, Katie Peters is elevated to Strategic and Southern Planning Director and Bill Hughes becomes Head of Design (Homes). The Group’s commitment both to zero carbon and…

A former doctor’s surgery in Aberaeron has been given a new lease of life after being largely unused for six years. Following a £20,000 grant from the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme, the former doctor’s surgery has reopened as a gallery. This project was led by Ceredigion County Council. Gallery Gwyn officially opened its doors on 8 April 2022 after receiving funding within the year 2021-2022. Gallery Gwyn is a contemporary Gallery in the heart of Aberaeron showcasing the very best of Welsh Art, with three Gallery spaces and a digital room. In addition to exhibition space, Gallery Gwyn will…

The University of South Wales (USW) has opened its second graduate incubator at its campus in Newport to help create new businesses in the city. The Startup Stiwdio will offer space to USW graduates who are starting their own businesses and provides a range of support services, including business advice, assistance with intellectual property, and access to specialist help in a range of areas. It will also provide a bespoke start-up business support programme, a great space to work, and the opportunity for new firms to grow their business contacts through access to various networks and events. The University has…

National law firm Clarke Willmott has strengthened its corporate and commercial property line-up with the appointment of two new members of staff to its Cardiff-based team. Tariq Azim joined the firm from Hogan Lovells as a solicitor in the corporate banking team. Solicitor Jessica Hayward joins the commercial property team – based at Emperor House, Cardiff Bay – from Capital Law and has extensive experience of working with social housing clients. The appointments follow the recent promotion of Sally Grech to associate in the corporate banking team. “We are really pleased to have Tariq and Jessica as part of our…

Newport based office furniture manufacturer Bisley has revealed its latest project with one of the UK’s leading hotel groups, The Celtic Collection. Opened in April 2022 and situated in the heart of Milford Haven, the Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront boasts unbeatable views overlooking Milford Marina on the Pembrokeshire coast. Managed and operated by the team responsible for the Celtic Manor Resort, the new Tŷ Hotel is part of the expanding portfolio in The Celtic Collection and the Tŷ Hotels family. This major collaboration has seen Bisley design, produce and install a bespoke range of furniture for the hotel’s 100 bedrooms.…

Students from the BA Perfformio [Performance] course at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David have recently been running Boal training workshops with Cardiff primary school teachers as a new technique for use in the classroom. The students have held a series of workshops with teachers from Glan Ceubal, Ysgol y Wern, Pencae, Hamadryad, Pwll Coch and Mynydd Bychan schools to teach them about the role-playing technique of the theatre practitioner, Augusto Boal. The training is intended to facilitate an approach that helps children deal with small challenges that can arise during play, or in the classroom. It is hoped…

Caryl Jones from Maesybont in the Gwendraeth Valley, is the new Manager of Yr Atom, Carmarthen’s Welsh language Centre. Caryl graduated from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David in 2017 with a BA Addysg Gynradd (Welsh-medium BA Primary Education) degree with QTS.  During her final year at university, Caryl was the Treasurer of the Welsh Society, and was also the winner of the Norah Isaac Memorial Award for her contribution to Welsh life at the University. Therefore, it is very appropriate that she is returning to the University as Manager of Yr Atom and is sure to lead the…

Work is underway to build new homes at the site of the former Brynmawr Clinic in Blaenau Gwent. The small, supported housing scheme will be built by Celtic Offsite, a new social enterprise within the United Welsh Group. The development will be highly insulated and energy efficient, comprising of three apartments with communal areas and a staff office on the ground floor, with a further two apartments, staff space and storage on the first floor. Celtic Offsite will manufacture the timber frame structures for the building, with fitted insulation and windows, from their new factory in Caerphilly. The homes will…

Ruthin Festival have struck Welsh gold for its popular Top of Town event with the announcement that leading jewellers Clogau are confirmed as sponsors for the traditional climax on St Peter’s Square on Saturday, July 2. It marks the return of the week-long Festival after a three-year Covid absence and up to 4,000 spectators are expected once again to enjoy an impressive line-up headlined by legendary Welsh folk artist Dafydd Iwan. Also back are festival favourites the Pantonic All Stars Steel Drummers to bring some Caribbean sunshine and calypso rhythms to the day in an impressive line-up which includes Denbigh-based…