Author: Rhys Gregory

If terms such as ‘furlough’ and ‘pivot’ featured high on the list of business lexicon for 2020, a contender for buzz word of this year must surely be ‘purpose’. It’s not new of course; many businesses have always looked beyond the bottom line and striven to do good for their customers and communities. In the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis, I recorded a package for the BBC’s business programme, Wales@work, at the How The Light Gets In festival in Hay-on-Wye. The discussion topic was the trend we were seeing towards businesses embracing stakeholder value, as opposed to shareholder…

A work placement at Menai Science Park (M-SParc) has paid off for a university student, who is now in his second year of full-time employment with a business at the space. Callum Murray joined start-up Cufflink, based at M-SParc on the Isle of Anglesey shortly after completing his studies at Bangor University in July 2019. Cufflink, which aims to allow people to regain control of their own online personal data through an encrypted and secure method, has been operating out of M-SParc since October 2018. Callum said: “My role came about through a dissertation presentation event I attended while I…

Local businesses and organisations from around Cardiff came to St. David’s Hall last week to visit leading sustainability certification group Planet Mark’s 100% electric battle bus and hear from local people, businesses and community groups about the impactful and inspiring projects they are undertaking to reduce their carbon emissions. The event was attended by more than 50 local organisations including hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle manufacturer Riversimple, business energy management group Amber Energy, corporate and social responsibility firm Bee 1 and sustainable food company Food Cardiff, who shared their net zero carbon learnings and discussed the challenges they faced while reducing…

A “funny and cheeky” six-year-old with leukaemia is urging people across Wales to clear out their wardrobes to help more children and young people survive the disease. This September – Childhood Cancer Awareness Month – Sonny Jones is backing TK Maxx’s Give Up Clothes for Good campaign, in support of Cancer Research UK. Sonny, who received a star award from the charity for his bravery earlier this year, is encouraging the public to donate any pre-loved quality fashion and homeware they no longer need to their nearest TK Maxx store. Sonny, from Dinas Powys, is one of around 75 youngsters…

Flintshire based ACAI is revolutionising outdoor wear for women as the company is on track to double turnover to £6 million and begin exporting to international markets with the help of a £500,000 loan from the Development Bank of Wales. First launched in 2017 by husband and wife team Joe and Kasia Bromley, ACAI offers a range of sustainable, stylish and functional outdoor wear designed by women for women. ACAI will use the funding as working capital to invest in a new ERP operating system, additional stock and strengthen the team with the appointment of up to 10 new roles.…

Mermaid Quay is set to play host to the UK’s largest animatronic Dragon this October, allowing visitors to the top dining and leisure destination in Cardiff Bay to be the first in the world to see the ‘roarsome’ beast. Towering over the centre’s Tacoma Square from Saturday 23 October – Sunday 7 November, the brand-new 15-metre-long and 6-metre-tall dragon has never been on display before. Featuring a moving head and tail, opening and closing eyes, life-like breathing movements, along with a terrifying roar and smoky breath, the fearsome red dragon, which is of course the symbol of Wales, will be…

A LEADING manufacturer celebrating 10 years in business is steeling itself for further growth after securing major national contracts. S4S (Steel 4 Structures) is planning to recruit 10 new staff and unveil a 12,500 sq ft extension to its 37,500 sq ft Buckley factory after winning a raft of clients during Covid. The company, which already employs more than 30 people, recently won a tender to build and extend sites for a top supermarket chain and has carried out fabrication and engineering work for brands including Porsche, Coca Cola, Heineken, Costa Coffee, Greggs, and Home Bargains. Managing Director Tom Phillips…

Cultural organisations and self-employed creatives in Swansea’s arts and heritage sectors can apply for up to £1,500 to help them present their work to new audiences. Swansea Council has launched the offer of support for locally-based arts, cultural and heritage organisations and freelance art, culture and heritage practitioners. The total fund amounts to £50,000 and it’s designed to help the city out of the pandemic. It will help organisations and individual freelancers as they look to bounce back from the difficulties of the past 18 months by helping to cover costs that would otherwise create unnecessary burdens. These may include costs…

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has agreed pilot projects to deliver highways improvements at seven private roads, including carrying out a Welsh Government pilot for one of the locations. Each road will then be permanently adopted by the Council. At their meeting this week on Tuesday, September 21, Cabinet Members considered a report proposing a pilot programme of works at seven streets in the County Borough. They include Miner’s Row in Llwydcoed, Brecon Place in Aberaman, Heol Penrhiw in Mountain Ash, Hillside Terrace in Llwynypia, Trafalgar Terrace in Ystrad, Poet’s Close in Rhydyfelin and Belle Vue in Trecynon. All seven locations are…

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Cabinet has approved plans for land at Clydach Vale to be officially designated as a Country Park. At a Cabinet meeting held this week (Tuesday, September 21), Members agreed to progress the proposals for the 166 acres of land in Tonypandy, currently known as Cwm Clydach Countryside Park. Councillor Ann Crimmings, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Cabinet Member for Environment, Leisure and Heritage Services, said: “I am delighted that the proposals for a new Country Park within our County Borough have taken a huge step forward today. “The Council has already developed a working partnership with both…