Author: Rhys Gregory

Currencycloud, the leading embedded cross-border solutions platform, today announced plans to invest £1.5 million on measures to embrace remote-first working across its business as it envisages life after the pandemic. The policy marks a mindset shift, with remote work being assumed as the default going forward.  Offices in prime locations such as London, New York, and Amsterdam will remain part of the footprint, however plan to be refurbished and optimised for relationship building and collaboration as opposed to siloed open plan working.  They will also be used at employees’ discretion, with no set quota of when employees are required to…

Five Welsh firms transitioned to the Employee Ownership model in 2020, in a move that is part of a growing trend that will continue to gain traction in Wales, according to some of the leading experts in the field. This year saw the Employee Ownership model being adopted by an increasing number of firms in Wales including BIC Innovation, Wavehill, Heron House Financial Management, Lorax Ltd (Heinie Haynes) and Arfon Timber. Paul Cantrill from the Employee Ownership Wales team at Social Business Wales, which provides fully-funded Employee Ownership help and advice, said: “Congratulations to BIC Innovation, Wavehill Research, Heron House…

Manufacturing businesses across Wales can remain at the forefront of innovation, thanks to £4 million of EU funding announced by the Welsh Government. The extra support will build on the success of Wales’ top higher education Institutions industry-led research partnership by extending the ASTUTE 2020 (Advanced Sustainable Manufacturing Technologies) operation. Led by Swansea University in collaboration with Aberystwyth University, Cardiff University, the University of South Wales and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, ASTUTE 2020 has been collaborating with industry for ten years, delivering high impact demand-led research, development and innovation within the manufacturing sector across Wales. Thanks to…

Dragon Taxis has donated 240 Christmas selection boxes to a local community organisation to support families in need this festive season. The Bigger Picture, based at the Community Hub in Francis Drive, Pill, was set up by sisters Carys and Rachel Jones in 2018. The organisation aims to support the local community by promoting inclusivity through arts projects. Prior to COVID-19 restrictions, the organisation hosted weekly activities including baby cafes, arts and crafts sessions, and performing arts classes. Recognising the impact of the pandemic on their community, The Bigger Picture established a food parcel scheme to distribute items to families…

Secondary Schools in Ceredigion will close for face to face learning from Monday, 14 December and all Primary Schools from Tuesday, 15 December 2020. From 15 to 18 December, all Ceredigion pupils will be taught remotely. Whilst school sites will physically close, schools will continue to provide high quality teaching digitally. This decision has been made with the full support of Head-teachers and Teaching Unions and in the best interest of pupils, their families and school staff. This decision reduces the potential for pupils needing to self-isolate over Christmas. Over recent days and weeks, there have been increasing cases of…

A number of new business support models are available to small businesses, providing a one-stop shop of support and facilitating their growth, according to a new study by ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants). Traditionally, government initiatives and high street advice outlets provided a business support infrastructure for SMEs.  ACCA’s new report Space to Grow examines how new and emerging business support models are being used to allow more SMEs (small medium-sized enterprises) to achieve rapid growth, but also to support business recovery post Covid-19. The report is based on a number of case studies from around the world and…

Local Welsh charity, City Hospice, is encouraging people (and their pets) to don their festive gear for its Jolly Jumper campaign this Christmas. The aim of the campaign is to bring a little joy to the festive period, while raising much needed funds for the Cardiff-based hospice. Those taking part are encouraged to wear a ‘jolly’ jumper on a day of their choice, festive headgear if they wish, and even involve their pets in the celebrations. Local schools and workplaces are invited to dig out their jolly jumpers as a great was of brightening up their surroundings over the festive…

With widespread community transmission of Covid-19 across Wales leading to there being more Covid-19 patients in hospital than at any other time this year, nine unions representing frontline healthcare workers have joined forces to highlight the impact the rise in cases is having on the staff providing care, and to urge the public to do all they can to protect the NHS. BMA Cymru Wales, British Association of Occupational Therapists, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, GMB, Royal College of Midwives, Royal College of Nursing Wales, Society of Radiographers, Unison and Unite say staff are ‘beyond exhausted’ and they have significant…

Road improvements and repairs are set to get a £2m cash injection over the coming months under proposals being seen by Swansea Council’s Cabinet next week. Some of the money is already being earmarked for street re-surfacing across the entire city, starting in Uplands with more to follow in the coming weeks. Mark Thomas, Cabinet Member for Environment Enhancement and Infrastructure Management said the extra cash was much needed and add to £7.4m already committed to highways maintenance during the current financial year, including upgrading pavements and street lighting. He said: “We’re taking a flexible approach to using this extra…

Caerphilly Country Borough Council will be delivering free school meals during the week commencing 14/12 in readiness for the school Christmas holidays. Each FSM pupil will receive the below: Fish Portion, Chips and Peas Tomato Soup and Bread Slice Turkey Dinner and Vegetables Sausage, Mash and Vegetables Fish Fingers, Savoury Herb Potatoes and Farmhouse Mixed Vegetables Gammon Ham, Savoury Herb Diced Potatoes and Farmhouse Mixed Vegetables Turkey Curry with Rice Roast Beef, Yorkshire Pudding, Roast Potatoes Vegetables and Gravy Ham Sandwich Fish Fingers, Savoury Herb Diced Potatoes and Broccoli Vegetarian option: Meat Free Sausage Roll, Cheesy Mash and Vegetables Tomato…