Author: Rhys Gregory

More than 150 former students reunited to celebrate their time at Swansea University Medical School with a unique virtual graduation celebration. The participants – some joined by proud parents- linked up virtually with senior staff for the University’s first ever graduation conducted via video conferencing. Many of them are already working as junior hospital doctors after being allowed to join the NHS early at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. But despite the pressures of their new careers, they were eager to see each other again after spending the past four years studying together. The event was designed to combine…

A Porth-headquartered utilities business is set for significant expansion as it looks to double sales in the next two years. Arch Drainage, which provides advanced diagnostics and drain repair services for businesses and local authorities across Wales and the South West, aims to boost its turnover to £3.9million by 2022. The expansion plans will see the firm create 12 new operations and back office roles in the next year, supported by a new £250k invoice finance facility provided by Lloyds Bank. Counting several major contractors among its client base, the business underwent a management buyout in 2019. It subsequently rebranded…

Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in Wales have been significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the second annual report published by Economic Intelligence Wales (EIW). The report highlights the initial effects of the pandemic on the Welsh economy and details subsequent mitigation policies from both UK and Welsh Governments as the UK prepares for a recession in 2020. The outbreak of the coronavirus has affected an economy that was already slowing down, with both production and investment facing significant problems in anticipation of the UK’s departure from the EU. EIW, launched in 2018, is an unique collaboration between…

At a meeting of the National Park Authority’s Planning Committee this week, planning consent was granted for the erection of a tunnel head house to the south east of the Dwyryd estuary on the edge of the National Park. This development will enable the National Grid to proceed with plans to underground 3.4km of cabling that currently crosses the estuary overhead. The Dwyryd estuary is one of four locations across Wales and England to benefit from the National Grid’s Ofgem funded Visual Impact Provision project to minimise the visual impact of electricity infrastructure in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and…

A care home in Mid Wales has embarked on its second major recruitment drive in the space of a few months. Sandstone Care Group already employs 66 full and part-time workers at The Oaks care home in Newtown following its opening in January. It now expects to recruit a further 30 people across a range of roles including senior carer, carer, domestic and catering assistant. The new recruitment drive coincides with the opening of the second phase of the purpose-built care home. It will take the total number of people employed at the 73-bed care home to around 100. The…

Companies can now bid for work that will transform the venue’s central casual area into a new destination for people to meet, greet, eat and enjoy events. It’s part of a £439,000 improvement project at the city centre hub, named Britain’s best large indoor market this year in the Great British Market Awards. Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: “We want to keep the market’s great appeal and make it even more attractive for future generations. “By enhancing the large area that now hosts casual trading tables we’ll see more people want to visit…

One of Wales’ leading coffee roasteries has turned lockdown stress into business success by quadrupling its online sales during the lockdown period. Coaltown Coffee, based in Ammanford in south west Wales, saw sales with its 275 wholesale customers stop virtually overnight as the UK entered lockdown in March. But the company, which has two café sites and was about to open two more before the pandemic hit, has seen a huge spike in its online sales thanks to a quick response in enhancing its digital presence. Fast tracking its plans to redevelop its web shop, which was due to happen…

An accessible book service from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) is celebrating reaching half a million books. RNIB Bookshare, which supports print-disabled learners, has a vast UK education collection that provides textbooks and materials to support the UK curriculum from early years to adult education. The free service, which can be accessed by teachers, students and now parents in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, has a range of accessible formats so books can be read electronically or adapted to suit personal reading needs. Books for leisure reading are also available. RNIB Bookshare has publications from 850 publishers…

More than 50 free digital events have been announced as part of the first-ever Wales Tech Week, a virtual festival taking place between 13th – 17th July. Wales Tech Week has announced Lee Waters MS, Deputy Minister for the Economy and Transport as its keynote speaker. The Deputy Minister will join Avril Lewis MBE in the festival’s opening event, available to stream globally live on Monday 13th July at 9:15 GMT. The inaugural event has been organised by non-profit organisation Technology Connected, the representative body of technology in Wales, to bring together the technology community and showcase the depth and…

Swansea based Peter Lynn and Partners solicitors have promoted senior lawyer Nia Godsmark to the role of partner. The appointment comes after a successful period at the firm where Nia has led on several high profile cases including the recent multi-million-pound merger between two of Wales’ biggest IT companies, Pisys.net and Comcen. “I am delighted to be promoted to the position of partner,” said Nia, “and am looking forward to being part of the leadership team that drives the business forward over the coming years.” Nia, who joined the firm in 2014, specialises in both corporate law and employment law…