Author: Rhys Gregory

THE Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) Regional Cabinet has announced the creation of an Investment and Intervention Framework. It focuses on the region’s three priorities, which include innovation, infrastructure and challenge, enabling maximum leverage of the £495 million the CCR City Deal has available for investment. [aoa id=”1″]The CCR City Deal is a catalyst for long-term economic revival, aiming for the whole region to become self-sufficient. It includes the ten local authorities of Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Torfaen and Vale of Glamorgan.[/aoa] Of the £1.2 billion available, £734 million is ringfenced for the…

ADAPTABILITY is the number one trait employers are looking for when hiring staff, according to a new survey. [aoa id=”1″] Research by CV-Library found the key skills managing directors and HR bosses want in a candidate are the ability to adapt (71.5%), resilience (57.5%) and being able to balance personal life and work (29.2%). More than 300 UK employers were surveyed, with the figures also revealing companies want applicants who are willing to upskill (39.7%) and happy to network (16.4%). [/aoa] Sarah Ellwood, managing director of North Wales recruitment firm Supertemps – and its executive, IT and engineering arm S2…

One of the UK’s top 100 financial planning firms has moved its headquarters following year-on-year growth, a trend it says it is expecting to continue. Originally based in Cedar Court in Newport, Gould Financial Planning has now taken over 1,500 sq ft of the recently renovated Quest House in St Mellons, Cardiff. The company which was established in 2001 has seen remarkable growth in the last three years, increasing turnover by almost 40%, profit by 30% and growing its team to over 16. [aoa id=”1″]Formerly known as Abacus House, the building was one of Cardiff’s first modern, purpose-built out-of-town commercial…

The closure of a £6.5 million dairy processing facility in north Wales, which threatens up to 80 jobs, is a major blow for employees and their families and a worry for Welsh milk producers, says the Farmers’ Union of Wales. The GRH Food Company received a £1.7 million grant from Welsh government in 2017, to re-locate its headquarters to Minfordd, but is now believed to be set to go into receivership with KPMG. “This could have a devastating impact on the employees and their families, and the wider community,” said FUW Dairy Committee Chair Dai Miles.  “Ensuring a future for…

A joint operation to clampdown on air passengers bringing in knives and other weapons from their holidays took place at Cardiff Airport last week. In addition to the routine searches that Border Force officers conduct every day on travellers landing at the airport, South Wales Police officers from the Vale of Glamorgan, were in attendance on June 18 and May 5, as part of Operation Dactylis to raise awareness among passengers that it is illegal to bring home offensive weapons from their holidays. Milo, a search dog was also on hand for both days of the operation to detect any…

Welsh speakers across the world are being asked to play their part in helping to safeguard the digital future of the Welsh language by recording their voices using Common Voice, an initiative run by software company Mozilla, in a bid to bolster digital services in the Welsh language.  The aim is to help technologies including phones, computers and other electronic systems to understand how people speak Welsh and to make voice recognition open and accessible to everyone. If enough people commit to recording their voices, satellite navigation and systems for those with disabilities and visual impairments are some of the…

LIGNIA Wood Company, the South Wales-based modified timber manufacturer has revealed ambitious growth plans, having secured up to £5m development capital funding from its institutional investors. [aoa id=”1″]Production is now up and running at the state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Barry, South Wales and the business is selling in the UK and exporting to the US.  The equity investment, which brings LIGNIA’s total fundraising to £17 million over the past three years, will support the planned expansion by funding working capital and the additional capital expenditure needed to increase production capacity.[/aoa] The company has developed significantly since establishing its Barry site…

Detectives investigating the death of Fahad Mohamed Nur are appealing for information on a missing bike. Fahad, 18, died after being stabbed in the lane near Cathays Railway Station just before 0.24am on Sunday, June 2. Detective Chief Inspector Mark O’Shea, from the South Wales Police Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “While three people have been charged with Fahad’s murder, the investigation is still very much continuing. “As part of the investigation we would like to trace a Carrera bike which is seen on CCTV in the area of the incident at the relevant time. “It is believed the bike…

The Red Dragon Centre has appointed a new General Manager to take over the strategic management of the entertainment centre, as well as the day-to-day running of the entertainment complex. Clare Jenkins joins The Red Dragon Centre with over 30 years of experience in retail operations roles, including a decade spent in commercial property management. Officially opened in 1997, The Red Dragon Centre welcomes 2.5 million visitors a year and during May half term, thanks in part to its hosting of rehearsals for the 2019 Urdd Eisteddfod, recorded its busiest week for 10 years, with 96,766 visitors passing through its…

Earlier this year, the digital bank Monzo created hundreds of new jobs in Cardiff when it launched a new customer service operation in the city. This came about after the leader of the Cardiff council, Huw Thomas, and its chief executive, Paul Orders, met with Monzo over a year ago. This major move not only shows that Cardiff is a prime spot for businesses to come and expand, it also highlights the efforts being made by authorities in helping the area to develop and thrive. Cardiff is certainly on the map now, and other fintech firms may look to expand…