Author: Rhys Gregory

If you’re reading this, I’m guessing you’re at least a tiny bit interested in learning Japanese. It’s estimated around 128 million people speak the language already, so you will have plenty of people to converse with. Some might argue you haven’t picked the easiest language to learn – in fact trying to get to grips with learning Japanese might feel like mission impossible at first. The alphabet alone is enough to make you run for the hills.  But, the key to learning this fascinating language is perseverance. With that in mind, here are a few top tips to get you…

Openreach is getting ready for the worst of the Welsh winter weather after stocking up on thousands of snow shoes, snow socks for vehicle tyres, bags of salt and litres of screenwash. Lessons learned from dealing with extreme conditions during recent years has seen the UK’s largest telephone and broadband network invest in huge amounts of winter weather equipment so its engineers can remain on the road. So far the UK-wide seasonal shopping list includes: 62,000 kilos of rock salt; 1,700 snow shovels; 3,400 ice and snow grips for footwear; 3,500 sets of snow socks for van tyres; 20,000 litres…

Principality Building Society has signed up to the Work Welsh programme to support the development of Welsh language skills among its workforce. Developed by the National Centre for Learning Welsh, the programme features a range of courses designed to increase the use of Welsh in the workplace and beyond.  Principality colleagues are currently following an intensive course for beginners. Principality has already shown its commitment to supporting the Welsh language, having established a Welsh language contact centre in Bangor and supporting the National Eisteddfod. Mike Jones, Interim Chief Executive Officer at Principality Building Society, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing…

AN AWARD scheme recognising the courage of children and young people diagnosed with cancer is being launched today in Wales and is supported by Dr Ranj. There are around 130 new cases of cancer in young people each year in Wales. Nominations for the Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People Star Awards, supported by TK Maxx, are now open and families across Wales are being called on to nominate young cancer patients and survivors in the run up to Christmas. The Star Awards are open to under-18s who have been diagnosed with and treated for cancer in the…

Two Swansea Bay University Health Board employees have helped develop maternity training in Africa. Consultant obstetrician Myriam Bonduelle (third from right front row) and consultant midwife Victoria Owens (second from left front row) have spent time in Zimbabwe as part of the Welsh Government’s Wales for Africa programme, which supports learning and the exchange of skills. Their aim was to promote the respectful maternity care (RMC) recommended by the World Health Organization as part of a positive childbirth experience which protects women’s dignity and their rights, ensures freedom from harm and mistreatment and highlights the important of choice. The visit,…

The Football Association of Wales has announced that the Men’s National Team will play an international friendly against Austria on Friday, 27 March 2020. This will be Cymru’s first preparation match of the year ahead of the EURO 2020 finals in June where they will face Switzerland, Turkey and Italy in Group A. Cymru last faced Austria in Cardiff during the 2018 World Cup Qualifying campaign, where Ben Woodburn’s solo strike proved crucial in a 1-0 victory. With Austria also heading to the EURO 2020 finals next summer, both teams will want to start the year on a positive note.…

Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) is now offering newly qualified optometrists mentoring support – UK first for optometry. Previously support for new optometrists has been limited and research suggests this makes them more risk adverse and likely to refer patients unnecessarily to hospital. Recent evidence also suggests increasing numbers of optometrists are leaving their careers within three years of qualifying. HEIW has taken action to make a positive change by introducing a pilot mentorship pilot programme. This service includes an online platform to create a portfolio, peer review and support groups as well as face-to-face and online meetings with…

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) and Clarity Sports, which is part of leading business travel management company Clarity, today announced a new partnership that will see Clarity provide all domestic and international travel for the national team at all levels from age-grade to the senior sides. Clarity Sports, who also work with a number of leading English and Scottish Premiership football teams, as well as top Guinness PRO14 and Gallagher Premiership rugby union clubs, has signed a three-year contract that will see the business provide their best-in-class services at an exciting time for the FAW, with next summer’s men’s…

Redkite Solicitors, one of the largest legal firms in the south-west and Wales, has promoted Llanelli-born Alexia Thomas to Partner and Head of Contentious Probate. The firm’s growth has also resulted in more opportunities for career progression across the business, with Redkite offering an unprecedented six training contracts this year. The firm now employs a total of eight ‘home grown’ trainee solicitors across their office locations. The fast-growing legal firm, which has 12 offices and more than 185 staff, has doubled its turnover to £9 million since 2017. Redkite, which is headquartered in Pembroke and has offices in Brecon, Swansea,…

Fintech disruptor, Sonovate, has provided over £1 billion in funding to businesses, funding contract workers across 39 countries since launch. Created to challenge traditional invoice finance products on offer from the banks, Sonovate has become a backbone of the UK freelance economy, helping companies using contingent workers access the cashflow they need to grow. In 2014, Sonovate provided £1 million in funding to UK businesses. By June 2018 this figure had reached £500 million and the company is now funding over £1 million per day. Starting with a team of 12, Sonovate has grown to a staff of over 100…