Author: Rhys Gregory

DESPITE market volatility and significant disparities between markets, a senior investment consultant for one of the UK’s leading actuarial and pension consulting firms has stressed that with the continuing effective vaccination rollout, we can confidently expect GDP to bounce back and will see a strong robust economic recovery. Paul Francis, Principal Investment Consultant at Quantum Advisory, was speaking at Quantum’s latest ‘Pensions for Brunch’ webinar which features key insights into selected topical issues affecting the pension and investment industry. Paul opened the event by outlining the investment market forecast for 2021 and themes for pension fund investment. Highlighting…

On International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Deputy Minister and Chief Whip Jane Hutt highlighted some of the amazing women that are leading the fight against Covid in Wales and the importance of studying STEM. Jane Hutt stated: “The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vital role science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) play in the world today. Never before have STEM professionals been more in the public eye. It’s vitally important that on International Day of Women and Girls in Science we increase the visibility, importance and appeal of science for all. By sharing stories of STEM female…

PRESIDENT and Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff Metropolitan University, Professor Cara Aitchison, has spoken about the University’s leadership during the pandemic, opportunities and partnerships it plans to capitalise on and how it expects to emerge even stronger in a post-COVID world. Professor Aitchison was speaking at the Cardiff Business Club’s latest virtual gathering on Tuesday February 9 which was widely attended by business leaders and experts across Wales. Cardiff Met was recently named The Times and Sunday Times Welsh University of Year 2021 and over the past 12 months saw student recruitment levels increase and significant improvements in all league…

The pressures of the pandemic, rigorous infection control measures and a series of rolling lockdowns in Wales has hit the retail and hospitality sectors extremely hard. Many familiar businesses have closed their doors for the final time. In amongst the doom and gloom, one of Cardiff’s most historic pubs is set to re-open its doors after five years – but in a brand-new format. The Corporation in Canton, will once again solidify its place in the heart of the community, however, this time it will become a hub for independent traders. Renamed ‘The Coorp’, the building dating back to 1889,…

A group of enterprising teens from Rhondda, who launched their own children’s publishing business last year, are set to unveil their second book following the continued success and growth of the start-up. Katie Burgess, 16, Seren Collier, 16, Zoë Gable, 17, and Megan Thomas, 18, are the brains behind Lemonêd Publishing (Cyhoeddiadau Lemonêd) – an educational children’s book publisher which aims to encourage young people to open up and get talking about mental health and wellbeing. The youngsters decided to set up the firm in 2019 after being inspired by their own experiences with mental health and bullying. The group…

Many things in our lives depend on pure luck. To meet the right person, win a million at the online casino live roulette wheel, guess the sex of a future child, or predict some out-of-the-box events. With the latter, in today’s realities, it is especially difficult. Not so much time ago a major fire damaged the Blackweir Bridge in Cardiff and required replacement of part of the wooden terrace. However, it turned out that repairs to the bridge, which included replacing damaged panels, had to be postponed because of a significant rise in the water level in the Taff river.…

RSPCA Cymru has welcomed news that Councillors in Carmarthenshire have unanimously backed a motion which could help mitigate the risks fireworks pose to animals in the local area. Cllr Louvain Roberts, who represents the Glanymor ward, put forward the RSPCA-backed motion. It was seconded by Trimsaran ward councillor Kim Broom. Many pets and other animals experience fear and distress as a consequence of the loud bangs associated with fireworks. Across England and Wales, the animal welfare charity receives approximately 400 calls annually about animal welfare issues linked to the use of fireworks. With public displays not taking place amid Covid-19…

After one of the toughest years we can remember, with COVID affecting each and every one of us in some way, Coleg Gwent are very excited to announce that they’ve decided to support a Charity of the Year – St David’s Hospice Care. Charities like St David’s Hospice Care have been hit hard by coronavirus, but throughout the pandemic, they’ve continued to provide their vital services and support to families who need it most, and Coleg Gwent wants to help them continue doing this. St David’s Hospice Care provides bespoke, free, palliative care to patients and their families throughout Newport,…

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to disrupt the lives of young people, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) in Wales is launching an Employability Week starting on 15th February 2021 to share practical support and advice with ‘the COVID generation’. With their academic, social and emotional development limited by social-distancing measures and school closures, and work prospects at risk by inevitable recession, the charity hopes the initiative will help young people from across Wales to discover new skills and use tips to help them on their employment journey. The DofE in Wales enrols around 12,000 young people every year with…

A 26-player squad has been selected for a February training camp at the Vale Resort as Cymru’s preparations for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Round get underway. The camp (Mon 15 Feb – Sat 20 Feb) will feature an almost full strength Cymru squad with captain Sophie Ingle, most-capped international Jess Fishlock and Hayley Ladd amongst the players involved. The only player unavailable will be Megan Wynne, who is at the final stages of her recovery from an ACL injury. The camp will be the first time the squad are together since the departure of Jayne Ludlow as…