Author: Rhys Gregory

Atlantic Service Company, manufacturers of premium bandsaw and handsaw blades for the food industry, has announced that it is changing the structure of its management team as the business looks to continue its pattern of high growth across the globe. Huw James, who has been Managing Director since July 2016 and overseen significant change at the Blackwood-based business, will stay closely involved whilst moving into a new role to develop and implement global strategies for KASCO, Atlantic Service’s American-based owners, as well as directing all their European businesses. Martin Hughes, the current Chief Financial Officer, steps up to become the…

Kind-hearted colleagues from Wales & West Utilities wore their hearts on their sleeve in 2021 and raised a whopping £44,000 for charity in the process. Staff at the gas emergency and pipeline service didn’t let the pandemic deter their plans to help raise money for a host of charitable organisations – all of which are close to their hearts. And, in recognition of the fantastic fundraising efforts of its colleagues, Wales & West Utilities provided match funding and sponsorship to the tune of nearly £10,000, ensuring over £54,000 was donated during 2021. Activity during the past year has seen money…

Researchers from Swansea University and SAIL Databank are playing a key role in a multi-million pound international project to improve the safety of medicines given to mums-to-be and breastfeeding mothers. They have teamed up with colleagues from across Europe to produce their first publication as part of the IMI ConcePTION project. This £28 million Europe-wide project is funded by the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI); a joint undertaking, which receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and EFPIA (the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations). IMI seeks to bridge the knowledge and data gap in…

Making it easier for people to access fertility treatment is the aim of a new pilot programme in Swansea Bay due to start this spring. Fertility Direct will be a one-stop shop where they can be referred by their GP or contact the health board team themselves. Currently, people having difficulty conceiving will go to their GP and then be referred to the health board’s fertility team after going through a series of consultations. They then face a series of tests which can be time-consuming. Tests need to be done within a given cycle and sometimes need to be repeated,…

As social life starts to return to normal, a Port Talbot crafts business is working had to bring the community together. The Paint Pot offers creative and fun experiences to people of all ages and is becoming a focus for parties, special events, groups and families who want to develop their artistic skills in decorating pottery ware and enjoy themselves at the same time. Bethan Bowyer and assistants Laura and Tara have created a colourful, inviting environment, well-stocked with  plenty of figures to choose from. They work closely with the nearby bakery which provides food to order for the sessions. Finished…

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…