Author: Rhys Gregory

Grŵp Cynefin has appointed Carys Edwards, a former head of adult services for Isle of Anglesey Council, as its new chair. From Parc, near Bala, Carys joined the Board in 2014, after taking early retirement to become self-employed and start a social care consultancy. Her priority now is to guide the housing association, which manages 4,800 properties throughout North Wales and north Powys, as it focuses on ‘exciting’ new opportunities while at the same time dealing with the continuing fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. Carys said: “During the last six months, we’ve done well focusing on delivering services safely, looking…

The Court of Appeal’s decision last week means that planning permission granted more than 50 years ago for a significant development of over 400 homes in Aberdyfi has been quashed.   In 1967 planning permission was granted by the then Meirioneth County Council to build 401 open market houses in Aberdyfi. Since the plans were approved over half a century ago only 27 houses have been built following various subsequent planning permissions granted on the site. These subsequent developments, which have occurred over a period of many years, have deviated from the original 1967 consent to such an extent that the…

A serial entrepreneur and bestselling author from Wales is bringing together inspirational women from across the globe and various areas of enterprise for a one day virtual conference, taking place on Thursday, November 26, between 9am and 6pm. Bernie Davies, a former lawyer, restaurateur, motivational speaker and owner of the Introbiz West Wales franchise, has organised the one-day virtual conference with the aim of inspiring people – particularly women – to overcome the challenges of setting up and running businesses by encouraging you to do it ‘your way’. The virtual event is sponsored by NSP HR Solutions, which supports businesses, charities,…

Transport for Wales is launching Capacity Checker, helping customers check before they travel which trains may have most space available for COVID-19 social distancing safety. The new online portal is available at www.tfwrail.wales or on the TfW Rail app and shows customers when trains typically have plenty of space, are moderately busy or could be full, so they can plan ahead and choose the service that is right for them. With the ‘firebreak’ ending and travel restrictions within Wales removed, capacity checker will help customers travel safer and adhere to social distancing on trains. James Price, Transport for Wales CEO…

Virtual presence at lectures and seminars through the use of telepresence robots are one option being trialled by academics at Bangor University’s School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering as they explore cutting-edge methods of delivering teaching and learning during a global pandemic. Telepresence robots are now widely used in industry, particularly when individuals managing projects from afar want to gain a real ‘feel’ for their environment such as for remote construction site visits or inspection of huge concert rigs. But they are increasingly being used by educational institutions throughout the world, to allow learning to continue and a virtual…

Ammanford-based LSN Diffusion, which manufactures specialised powders for use in the engineering sector, is expanding its operations and creating new jobs thanks to significant support from the Welsh Government. The company, which employs more than 100 staff from its base in Cilyrychen Llandybie, exports its nickel, cobalt and iron based powders to customers worldwide, including a cohort of blue chip businesses around the world. The Welsh Government is providing more than £290,000 from its Economy Futures Fund to help future-proof operations at LSN Diffusion, with the company investing £3 million in new facilities and state-of-the-art processes. The move will see…

The Welsh Government has confirmed that the ‘Future Valleys’ consortium has been awarded the contract to take forward improvements to Section 5 and 6 of the A465, following their appointment as Preferred Bidder in June. Sections 5 and 6 are an 18km stretch of road between Dowlais Top, Merthyr Tydfil and Hirwaun. They are the western section of the wider dualling programme, and their construction will complete the dualling of the A465 a long-standing commitment of Welsh Government. The scheme will see the existing three lane road converted to two lanes in each direction. Construction is due to start in…

Deputy Minister for Culture Sport and Tourism, Lord Elis-Thomas has announced the appointment of the Chair and Members of the first Non-Executive Board for Creative Wales. Creative Wales was set up in January to drive the growth of the creative industries in Wales. Catryn Ramasut has been appointed as chair of the board. As an entrepreneurial media practitioner, Catryn Ramasut’s career has spanned more than 20 years in radio, television, print, music management and advertising, both domestically and internationally.  Since returning to her hometown of Cardiff in 2010 she has established an award-winning production company, ie ie productions.   Speaking of…

The Welsh Government’s new envoy to the United Arab Emirates will play a key role in strengthening Wales’ global presence, Economy Minister Ken Skates has said. The appointment of Paul Gyles will help drive capital investment and promote Welsh exports to the United Arab Emirates which is an important global business hub. Paul is a Chartered Management Accountant (CIMA) with over 30 years’ experience working with market leading companies across UK, Middle East and Asia. He has lived in Dubai in the UAE since 2003 and is the fourth envoy to be appointed by the Welsh Government since the launch…

Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet has agreed free Christmas parking in Neath, Port Talbot and Pontardawe town centres from December 12th 2020 to January 1st 2021. At its meeting on November 4th, the Cabinet decided to make the free Christmas parking period longer than last year’s offer because of the effect on traders of the coronavirus pandemic. The Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, Cllr Rob Jones, said: “It is acknowledged our town centres and the traders operating in them have been significantly affected during lockdown with many being prevented from opening. Providing free car parking over the festive period…