Author: Rhys Gregory

The shortlist has been announced for the 22nd annual Welsh Contact Centre Awards, ahead of March’s event in the iconic Wales Millennium Centre.  The Welsh Contact Centre Forum-led awards, headline sponsored by Ring Central, celebrate outstanding contributions to a sector which contributes £650m annually to the Welsh economy. Among the 22 company and individual awards, a new category recognises businesses for innovative use of artificial intelligence (AI) or data.  The managing director of the Welsh Contact Centre Forum, Sandra Busby, said: “It’s understandable that nervousness can set in when we talk about technology replacing tasks undertaken by humans.  The bigger…

With the kick off taking place at 2.15pm, there will be a full city centre road closure in Cardiff from 10.45am until 5.15pm on grounds of public safety. The gates to the stadium will open at 11.30am and all supporters are advised to get into the stadium early, to avoid missing kick-off. Those attending the rugby match are strongly advised toleave large bags at home and pay attention to the prohibited items listed at  principalitystadium.wales   before they travel into the city. Road closures From early in the day, Scott Road and Park Street will be closed as a result of the need…

Cardiff’s successful ice hockey team is uniting with Pride Cymru to promote equality and inclusivity in the contact sport, as part of the Elite League’s Pride Weekend (25 – 26 January). While this will be the third Cardiff Devils Pride game, this weekend marks a historic occasion. It is the first time all ten teams within the league come together to make a stand and emphasise that anyone, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation, should feel welcome and safe at the Elite League’s Hockey games. To celebrate this first-ever games weekend, the Devils and Pride Cymru are teaming…

A PROMINENT Conwy Valley hotel will reopen next week after “substantial investment” and a winter revamp. The Gwydyr Hotel in Betws-y-Coed has undergone major redevelopment over the Christmas period, including a new bar and cellar, modern kitchen appliances and equipment and an overhaul of the menu. Owner James Budgen – Director of Woodpecker Films and a former teacher – wanted to give the Holyhead Road venue a complete makeover before launching on January 31. The hotel will be open “around the clock” and offer breakfasts and local produce; celebrating Wales and supporting firms in the area, the 34 year-old will…

Swansea BID has expanded its team, by recruiting both a new Business Liaison Manager and a Projects Officer to help drive the BID’s ongoing success in the City Centre. Andrew Douglas joins the BID team from a career in regional radio, where his focus was on sales and relationship management. Sophie Stockton has a sales, marketing and events background and comes to BID from Creative Hospitality Group – the umbrella firm of some of the City Centre’s best-known hospitality venues, including Peppermint, Brewstone and Bambu. Swansea BID Chief Executive, Russell Greenslade, said: “We are very pleased to be growing the Swansea…

YouTube star Daniel Gonthier says his new three-storey home in Cardiff is one of the best purchases he’s ever made. After spending the last few years renting two and three-bedroom flats in the city, the 26-year-old decided to invest in his first home in November last year – a four-bedroom Southcott housetype at Bellway’s St Lythans Park in Culverhouse Cross. The unique three-floor set-up accommodates Daniel’s work-from-home career perfectly.  Daniel loves the design and uses the middle floor of his home as an office, where he spends lots of time filming and editing videos. His job involves creating YouTube videos,…

The Welsh Rugby Players Association (WRPA) has thanked departing Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) Chief Executive, Martyn Phillips, for his efforts to improve player welfare during his five years in post. Specifically, the WRU supports players through funding the WRPA-delivered Personal Development Programme (PDP), which focuses on Life Skills, Wellbeing, Vulnerabilities and Career & Education. The PDP is designed to help players to maximise the opportunities around them during their playing careers and aids their transition into future employment. Ken Owens, WRPA Chairman and Scarlets, Wales and British & Irish Lions hooker, said: “On behalf of rugby players in Wales, I’d like to thank…

With 2020 now in full swing, Stuart Price, Partner and Actuary at pensions experts Quantum Advisory, reflects on 2019 and the events that impacted the UK pension industry.

One of Wales’ leading medical supply companies has announced a key reorganisation at senior board level as the company enters a new period of strategic growth. Hospital Innovations, which is based in Talbot Green, has promoted Compliance and Operations Director, Sarah Lister-Sims to become the company’s new Managing Director, while Phil Davies has been appointed Chair of the company’s Board. Sarah has worked for Hospital Innovations for more than 10 years, joining in June 2009 in her most recent role. Before this, she has worked in a number of key senior positions that make her suited for her new role,…

Cardiff residents are to be given extra help to recycle properly under a new scheme which will let them know when they put out contaminated waste unsuitable for recycling. It’s hoped the new scheme will make a huge difference in the quality of recycling and composting collected from the kerbside by Cardiff Council – helping the city become one of the best recycling cities in the world. Figures released by the council show that 20% of waste being put into green bags for recycling contains incorrect materials which hamper the recycling process. The main offenders are dirty nappies, clothes, packaging…