Author: Rhys Gregory

The co-founder of innovative online accountancy business Mazuma is warning that many accountants could find themselves killed off by the growing threat from FinTech companies. Lucy Cohen, co-founded award-winning Bridgend-based Mazuma with childhood friend Sophie Hughes in 2006, says getting onto partnership with FinTech businesses could backfire on accountants. In an article entitled ‘Beware the FinTech wolf in collaborator’s clothing’, Lucy says: “Open banking, APIs and the ongoing saga that is Making Tax Digital (MTD) have created a space in the market for increased levels of automation in the compliance ecosystem. In a previous article I talked about the historic implication by…

One of the UK’s leading independent insurance brokers, Towergate Insurance Brokers, has teamed up with the West Wales Rugby Union for the 2019/2020 season. The partnership coincides with the new season and sees Towergate Insurance Brokers sponsor all three cup competitions. As well as the Towergate Insurance Challenge Cup, Plate Cup and Bowl Cup, company signage will be displayed across the 64 member clubs, as well as on the West Wales Rugby Union website. Towergate Insurance Brokers, which has over 60 offices nationwide, has a strong Welsh presence and a long-standing relationship with sporting teams across the country, having also…

SA1 based Peter Lynn and Partners are delighted to appoint ex Welsh rugby international Stuart Davies as their new Business Development Consultant. Stuart, who played over 250 games at No. 8 for Swansea as well as earning 17 caps for Wales, joins the firm through his own company, Stuart Davies Consulting Limited. Senior Partner Peter Lynn commented, “We are delighted to welcome onboard someone of the calibre of Stuart to spearhead our business development operation and help grow the firm.” With a background in a variety of senior positions, having previously worked as Executive Director of Development and Property Services…

A bespoke design by acclaimed international fashion designer Jayne Pierson, the use of a super yacht for three days and a box at the Royal Albert Hall are just some of the prizes that will be available at the National Children of Wales Awards thanks to the generosity of the business community. The National Children of Wales Awards will take place at the Celtic Manor on April 3, 2020. The organisers aim to raise £100,000 at the event, which will be distributed to four charities in Wales that help children: The Teenage Cancer Trust, Dreams & Wishes, the National Society…

A SOUTH Wales shop assistant has won £10,000 a month for a year after playing The National Lottery for just a second time. Ziyaad Fathe-Aldeen, 31, won the prize after matching the five main numbers in the Set For Life draw on November 25. Ziyaad said he had only played The National Lottery once before, buying a EuroMillions ticket a few months ago. He bought his winning ticket at the shop where he works – the Premier Stop, Gloucester Court, Caerleon, after being inspired by customers buying tickets. “A few of them were buying tickets so I thought I would…

As part of Lloyds Banking Group’s national pledge to lend up to £18 billion to UK businesses in 2020, the Group expects to support firms in Wales with up to £1.1 billion of lending this year, highlighting its commitment to be by the side of British business whatever the future brings. The funding is available to firms across Wales and will support entrepreneurs looking to start a new business, micro-businesses seeking to scale-up and small businesses considering trading internationally for the first time. It will also support established mid-sized businesses and large, multinational corporations seeking further growth. This new lending…

This National Technology Day (January 6th) a veteran RNIB volunteer is encouraging people across Wales to help blind and partially sighted people access life-changing technology. Dickon Oliver, 71, from Wenvoe, has been a Technology Support officer for RNIB for almost 40 years. After originally volunteering for the service in 1978 for some years, he started volunteering again in 2000. Dickon, a retired engineer, is now supporting RNIB’s call-out for Welsh technology enthusiasts to join the volunteering team. There are currently 111,000 people living with sight loss in Wales and this number is set to double by 2050. For many blind…

Everyman, an independent network of boutique cinemas has opened its latest five-screen venue in Cardiff. We went along to see if it lives up to expectations… The new venue features a bar and lounge space, offering elevated views of Cardiff Bay. So far so good. How do you book tickets? Like other well-known cinemas, you can book online at Everyman Cinema or book directly at the venue. The advantage of booking in advance is that you will guarantee your seats. You can view a seating plan of the cinema and pick your seats. However, there is a booking fee for…

Pembrokeshire based performance and tuning enthusiast, Matthew Merrick, has won the Revving Red Carpet, the top customisation competition organised by the Performance & Tuning Car Show. Matthew from Haverfordwest beat 19 of the UK’s top tuned cars to win the chance to have his car displayed at the first major tuning show of the year. Inspired by the Fast and Furious movies from an early age, Matthew’s 2011 Mini R56 JCW has been heavily modified with Airrex struts and an airlift v2 management system. Along with suspension modifications, Matthew fitted 17” custom BBS RS, four-pot Brembo brakes and a genuine…

GOOD causes are invited to share in the success of one of the fastest growing businesses in Wales by applying for a grant from the Edenstone Foundation. The Edenstone Group achieved record results, topping Wales Business Insider’s Growth 100 for a second year running, featuring in the top 10 of the Wales Fast 50 list and Business Live’s top businesses in Wales to watch in 2020. The Edenstone Foundation receives a proportion of the proceeds of every home the Magor-based business sells, with staff also fundraising to support good causes. Over the past year the foundation has gifted more than…