Author: Rhys Gregory

Health Minister Eluned Morgan has today (Thursday 9th December) announced plans to increase capacity for identifying the Omicron variant in Wales. Public Health Wales has introduced comprehensive testing for probable Omicron results across Welsh NHS laboratories. A seven day a week service has been implemented, with a turnaround time of establishing variant details within 24 hours of an initial positive COVID-19 result. In addition to increasing Welsh NHS laboratory capacity, Lighthouse Laboratories operating under the UK testing programme will also utilise technology to identify mutations associated with Omicron to identify probable cases. Minister for Health and Social Services, Eluned Morgan,…

An HR expert is marking three years in business with a move into new offices, several new staff and the latest in a series of acquisitions and mergers of neighbouring franchises. In November 2018, Lee Monroe launched The HR Dept in Abergavenny, Brecon, Blaenau Gwent and Cwmbran, offering outsourced human resources advice and support for small and medium-sized businesses in the local area. Since then, particularly during the pandemic, his business has continued to develop and grow, and he has expanded into other areas around Wales. He has now acquired the licence to run The HR Dept’s independent franchises in…

A Denbighshire manufacturer of luxury touring caravans sold all over the world has announced plans to grow the business through an ambitious new exports strategy with support from the Welsh Government Fifth Wheel Co, which employs 52 people at its base in Rhuallt, designs and builds luxury fifth wheel caravan tourers, often referred to as ‘penthouses on wheels’, which retail between £70-120k. The company, which already exports to over 15 countries, including Germany, France, Switzerland, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium and New Zealand, has set its sights on growing its global presence by expanding in Europe and targeting Asia as a…

A big hearted care organisation has come to the rescue after the £400 in donations from an orchestra’s 10th anniversary concert in a church was stolen. Bosses at Pendine Park were so horrified by the shocking theft at St Giles’ Parish Church in Wrexham that they have reimbursed the Wrexham and St Asaph based NEW Sinfonia for the full amount. The cash box was stolen by the brazen thief who struck despite several people being there at the time, including brothers Robert and Jonathan Guy who founded the orchestra to provide a platform for the talents of up and coming…

With Christmas just around the corner, you have probably already started making your way through this year’s shopping list. Slippers are often a popular gift for elderly loved ones at this time of year but it’s important to consider the style and fit of the pair you choose. Footwear that is badly-fitted or loose can significantly increase the risk of a fall. Every year hundreds of thousands of older people in Wales suffer falls, and unfortunately some really hurt themselves. During 2020, almost 3,000 people aged 75 and over attended the Emergency Department at Morriston Hospital, in Swansea, and the…

In recognition of their commitment to sustainability, The Red Dragon Centre has been awarded the Savills Bronze Sustainability Standard Award. In order to achieve the bronze level award, The Centre had to meet a number of exacting requirements including sending 0% waste to landfill, closely monitoring and reducing energy usage, having an onsite Sustainability Champion and adhering to the Better Building Partnership Core Provision Best Practices. The commitments haven’t just been environmental, The Centre has also demonstrated its social impact over the years by engaging in local community initiatives and supporting multiple charities including Tŷ Hafan, Marie Curie and Bullies…

Ex-Special Forces soldier, TV star and best-selling author Jason Fox is taking on a new expedition with his first ever UK tour. Life At The Limit will see Jason deliver first-hand the remarkable story of his daring exploits in a distinguished career as an elite operator in the UK Special Forces (SBS) and beyond. Visiting 30 towns and cities across the UK, Life At The Limit includes a date at Cardiff St David’s Hall on Monday February 28. From gunfights, hostage rescues, daring escapes and heroic endeavours that defined Jason Fox’s service, to a very different battle that awaited him…

The 13th list of The World’s 50 Best Bars, sponsored by Perrier, was announced at a live awards ceremony on Tuesday 7th December 2021 in London, UK. After extensive consultation with industry figures, its Academy Chairs, bartenders, bar owners and its partners, the 50 Best organisation received overwhelming feedback that the awards should go ahead and be celebrated in person this year following a virtual announcement in 2020 due to the pandemic. For the very first time, Wales has also been included in the awards, with Cardiff’s Lab 22 winning the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu award. The special award…

A new SMART Digital Accelerator project to help Welsh industry benefit from digital technology to accelerate growth is being delivered by the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD). The project is being funded by Welsh Government and supported by the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre Cymru (AMRC Cymru). Its aim is to provide expert support and advice for Welsh manufacturers using the skills and expertise of academia and industry to improve processes, engage talented employees across the company, driving new, profitable business models. The team is made up of industry advisers who will work with manufacturers in Wales to help…

A Cardiff-based internet marketing company has beaten some of the biggest agencies in the UK to land a contract with a leading wealth management firm. Pinnacle Internet Marketing is working with London-based Raymond James Investment Services on a year-long digital marketing and search engine optimisation (SEO) campaign. It won the contract despite stiff competition from some of the top SEO agencies in London and Manchester. Raymond James Investment Services offers wealth management solutions for wealth managers and their clients. It has more than 40,000 client accounts in the UK representing £14.9B in client assets. Howard Wilkins, Managing Director of Pinnacle,…