Author: Rhys Gregory

RECRUITMENT of an independent programme director to manage the delivery of the £1.3 billion Swansea Bay City Deal has been approved (Tuesday May 28). [aoa id=”1″] A detailed job description will now be finalised before an advert is placed for candidates. The appointment will meet a recommendation of two reviews into the City Deal aimed at speeding up the investment programme’s delivery. [/aoa] Also approved at a meeting of the City Deal’s Joint Committee this afternoon is the designation of the City Deal’s regional office as a portfolio management office with expertise in major project management. The independent programme director…

INNOVATIVE new plans for a major renewable energy development in Swansea Bay could soon take a step forward. [aoa id=”1″]Welsh Government approval will now be sought to further progress Dragon Energy Island proposals which include a tidal lagoon. Subject to approval, next steps will include further project research and financial analysis before the search for a private sector delivery partner potentially gets under way. [/aoa]Dragon Energy Island conceptThe request to the Welsh Government follows a meeting of the Swansea Bay City Region’s Joint Committee this afternoon (Tuesday May 28), where members were updated on the findings of an independent…

The 22-year-old man who died following an incident in woodland adjacent to Trelai Park in Ely has been named as Mark Anderson, from Caerau in Cardiff. Mark’s mother and father Sonia and James, along with his brother and sisters, Cain, Jodie and Chloe, have issued the following statement: “Mark went to Glynderw High School in Ely and enjoyed his hobbies of fishing, rugby, football and motorcycling as well as playing on his Xbox. “He was very well known in the area with an amazing group of friends who are always there for each other. He was the best person you could…

Cohabitation agreements are not in themselves legally binding; however, if certain legal criteria is met, then it is possible for the agreements to be provided with the full force of the law. Entering into a cohabitation agreement is one of the best ways that cohabiting couples can look to safeguard their assets when starting to cohabit with their partner. A cohabitation agreement is designed to safeguard the assets of a couple who have decided to cohabit. The agreement can be as detailed or as simple as the couple wish. It is similar to a Pre-Nuptial Agreement in the sense that…

Leading Directors within two key Welsh Tech companies were among 13 exemplary Welsh Directors acknowledged at this afternoon’s IoD Wales’ Director of the Year Awards 2019, which were attended by The Rt Hon Liam Fox MP, Trade Secretary Liam Fox and  The Rt Hon Alun Cairns MP, Secretary of State for Wales. [aoa id=”1″]Steve Dalton OBE of Sony Tech Centre was named IOD Wales Chair Jean Church’s Director of the Year while James Rudolf, Chief Operating Officer at TrakCel was acknowledged for his impact in terms of international business, an award which wasn’t open to entry and was announced on the…

The National Library of Wales is inviting visitors to the Urdd National Eisteddfod in Cardiff between May 27 and June 1 to take part in an exciting challenge. [aoa id=”1″]The National Library will have an escape room on their stand outside the entrance of the Millennium Centre. Those who are brave enough to accept the challenge will have less than 20 minutes to escape from the Library by solving a series of clues.[/aoa] The puzzles, which allow contributors to unlock a series of doors, are based on collections held at the National Library. From books to photographs, maps to manuscripts, each…

Cardiff-based CatSci, a fast growing, adaptable and award-winning contract research organisation (CRO), is continuing its strategic £1.3 million expansion plan with the appointment of Dr Jenny Wallis and Dr João Madeira as Business Development Managers. [aoa id=”1″]These newly created roles will enable CatSci to continue its growth across global markets. Both Jenny and João will focus on building long-term relationships with prospective and current customers. This strategy is a key facet of CatSci’s uniquely consultative approach to addressing process chemistry demands that critically support drug discovery and development.[/aoa] Both bring a wealth of complementary experience to the role, with a…

A Pembrokeshire man whose mum has survived cancer twice is taking on a half marathon for Macmillan to thank the charity for the help they gave her and his family. Dan Blyth, of Hakin, is swapping the couch for the Cardiff Half Marathon in October to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. The charity supported his mum Tracy when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 and when the illness returned last year. Macmillan gave Tracy benefits advice, in depth information and a Macmillan grant to cover the increased costs that can come with a cancer diagnosis. Dan, who…

A football tournament to increase respect, trust, equality and engagement between community groups and the South Wales Police force, took place on 16 May for the third year running. [aoa id=”1″] The Western Bay Community Cohesion Cup, which runs across South Wales in conjunction with South Wales Police and Ethnic Youth Support Team and sponsored by Hale Construction, took place at the Liberty Stadium, with The Kush Stars (representatives from a diverse range of ethnic communities) winning against the South Wales Police team 3-1. [/aoa] The event, running across Neath, Port Talbot and Swansea plays a key part of South…

Private, public and third sector partners across Swansea have signed a new agreement to boost the area’s flourishing tourism trade. [aoa id=”1″] The memorandum of understanding (MOU) formalises the working partnership of tourism trade membership organisation Tourism Swansea Bay and Swansea Council. Tourism in the Swansea Bay area is worth more than £447m annually and supports more than 5,700 jobs. [/aoa] Robert Francis-Davies, the council’s cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: “This document celebrates the long-standing relationship we’ve had over many years. We think it’s the first such MOU in Wales. “It recognises all the good work that…