Author: Rhys Gregory

Transport and North Wales Minister Ken Skates is encouraging people to look at the preferred options for changes along the A483 in Wrexham and to have their say on these important proposals. The A483 is one of the key connecting routes between North and South Wales, and between North Wales and the Midlands.  It is an important route for tourists travelling to the region, and for freight travelling from Europe, UK and Ireland. Changes need to be introduced to address congestion at the junctions along the A483 and the impact this is having on the economy of Wrexham and wider…

Employee experience is significant to an organization’s success. Employee experience spans from the application process and continues through their onboarding to years after they exit. Employers need to create a holistic approach to the employee’s feelings regarding work life, especially in these changing times.  Business transparency is key to creating an exceptional employee experience. Despite the size of your business, the most effective way to implement and maintain transparency is to have the right communication tools. Excellent employee experience is beneficial to acquiring and retaining top talent in today’s competitive market.  Improving employee experience is a continuous process in an…

John Bogle died in 2019, at the age of 89. You might not have heard of him, but he was a successful investor. The founder of Vanguard was also known as the father of index funds. He could have been a billionaire quite easily, but he was more interested in the upliftment of others rather than himself. He is no longer with us, but his advice for investors will always be helpful, especially for newcomers to the investment market. So, here are some of the best tips from the Vanguard founder. 1. His Advice About Stock Market John Bogle said,…

While it may be tempting to spend some extra money on your friends and family this year, you will want to consider your investment opportunities before squandering it all away. Keeping some money aside for a rainy day is an excellent idea but what you want to do is let your money work for you. By investing in the right areas, you can easily get amazing returns. The trick to financial welfare is not working extra hard or earning extra money. It is in fact, knowing where to invest your money. By getting into the habit of investing some extra…

‘PGI Welsh Lamb is a family affair that must be protected’ is the Farmers’ Union of Wales’ key message ahead of Love Lamb Week (1-7 September). Love Lamb Week was set up in 2015 by the late Rachel Lumley, a passionate Cumbrian sheep farmer who campaigned for lamb to get the attention it deserves. Speaking from his North Wales farm, Union President Glyn Roberts said: “ Our Welsh lamb is a family affair from start to finish. From the Welsh family farms who produce it,  to our consumers who enjoy coming together round the table to eat. But we must…

A social care leader has given a “cautious” welcome to news that indoor care home visits are being allowed again in Wales from August 29. But Mary Wimbury, the chief executive of Care Forum Wales which represents nearly 500 providers, stressed the need for the visits to be properly “risk assessed” so that they are done safely in a way that did not place residents, families or staff at risk. Back in March Care Forum Wales urged care homes to lockdown – well ahead of the Welsh Government advice to do so. At the same time they launched a campaign to…

A rapidly expanding Welsh utility company has invested £1.5 million and created 20 jobs in recent months. Arch Utility Services of Porth is outstripping its forecasts as business continues to grow, despite the pandemic. The company is spreading its wings and opening new depots in the West of England and sites in the Midlands are being explored. Managing Director Damian Tranter said that the company had invested over £1.5 million in equipment and now had a workforce of over 50, around 20 of these positions being created  in the last 3 months. “In recent months we have added two new…

House prices in Wales have remained steady in Q2 2020 (April – June) despite the coronavirus pandemic, with the average house price now £191,880. The figures have been released from Principality Building Society’s Wales House Price Index, which demonstrates the rise and fall in house prices in each of the 22 local authorities in Wales. The new average house price for Wales represents a 2.2% annual rise but a quarterly drop of 0.7%, although the number of purchases is lower than normal due to lockdown measures that were in place. Transactions were down by 66% in Q2 in which the…

A Cardiff teenager will be heading to the states this September to kickstart his dream career in economics after securing a place at one of the top universities in the world. Donte Day, 18, from Pentwyn, has secured his spot at the University of Chicago to study economics after achieving an outstanding 4A*s in his Biology, Chemistry, Economics and Maths A-levels. The former deputy head boy at Llanishen High School had his interest in studying Stateside sparked by attending a prestigious summer school at Yale University last year through Seren – a scheme funded by Welsh Government which is designed…

A temporary court room has been set up in the council chamber at Swansea’s Civic Centre. It comes at the request of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) as part of a solution to help the courts system respond to the pandemic. HM Courts and Tribunals Service officials worked with Swansea Council officers to make the new arrangements. Lord Mayor Mark Child visited the new facility to mark its opening. Cllr David Hopkins, council joint deputy leader and cabinet member for delivery and operations, said: “I’m glad that the council and courts service has been able to work hard together to…