Author: Rhys Gregory

Cardiff-based Yolk Recruitment has appointed a head of its newly-created finance and accountancy division to service demand from its existing client base. [aoa id=”1″] Merle Howells, 32, joins the award-winning business as part of Yolk’s ambitious growth strategy, with the firm on course to solidify its position as Wales’ market-leading recruitment agency by 2020. Originally from Cheltenham, Ms Howells has over 12 years’ experience in the recruitment industry, gained with brands such as Adecco. She will be heading up the new finance and accountancy division, managing a growing team alongside developing the strategy for Yolk’s offer in the fast-growing finance…

A group of learners from South Wales have jumped on the opportunity to get an international perspective on their dream careers working with children, after swapping the Valleys for the Mediterranean to take part in an intensive work placement in northern Italy. [aoa id=”1″] Keira-Lee Walker (18), Sian Lawrence (17), Gemma Lynch (35) and Leah Oakes-Bickford (18), have spent the last fortnight working abroad as part of a trip arranged by their college tutors. Organised as part of the ERASMUS+ EU funding programme, the trip allowed the four children’s care learners from Coleg y Cymoedd to gain experience with a…

This May a new walking festival celebrating seven years of the 870-mile coast path will take place. The festival’s aim is to encourage people across Wales to get outdoors, meet new people and appreciate our beautiful Welsh landscapes. [aoa id=”1″] Walks will be held in seven coastal regions and will be organised by the Wales Coast Path and Ramblers Cymru. The Wales Coast Path Walking Festival not only aims to showcase Wales’ beautiful coastline and countless natural assets but also boost local tourism along the path whilst encouraging residents to come together to celebrate the country’s iconic coastline. [/aoa] Taking…

A LEISURE business will make a splash with the country’s first hot tub exhibition. [aoa id=”1″] The North Wales Hot Tub Expo takes place in Mochdre over three days from Friday May 10. Organised by UK Leisure Living, the free event will feature some of the top names in the sector, including Hot Springs, Rotospa, Darlly and Elite Spas. More than 30 hot tubs will be on display at the Station Road showroom, which has been extended to host workshops and seminars on maintenance, filters, compliance, what to look out for when buying products and holiday park installations. [/aoa]…

South Wales Police is currently in attendance with emergency service colleagues from fire and rescue and the ambulance service at an incident at Tata Steelworks, Port Talbot. Emergency services received numerous calls at around 3.35am this morning and remain on scene. All members of staff are have been accounted for and there are only two casualties with minor injuries. Early indications are that the seat of the explosion was a train which carries molton metal into the works. The explosion caused some small fires which are all under control and damage to some buildings on the site. South West Fire…

Innovative technology developed by a fast-growing firm in Wales is being used to help make precision products aimed at saving lives – and has won a Queen’s Award for Innovation in recognition of its work. [aoa id=”1″] Laser Wire Solutions, based in Treforest Industrial Estate in Rhondda Cynon Taf, develops cutting-edge laser technology for the stripping and connection of specialist high value wires – used mainly in medical device manufacturing. The firm, which employs 30 people at its Pontypridd base, was established seven years ago and in 2017 launched a new laser machine for manufacturers of medical devices. [/aoa] It…

Hosted by Coleg Cambria Llysfasi, the UK Loggers (UKL) Competition and training day was a huge success, welcoming 11 participants in a series of challenges. Overall winner was Mark Edwards, who compiled the highest score in a multitude of categories including tree felling, combined cuts, limbing, fitting a new chain and precision cuts. [aoa id=”1″] Sponsored by Tilhill Forestry, Euroforest Ltd, Husqvarna, Aspen, mwmac Ltd and Ruthin’s Clifford Jones Timber, UKL spokesman Richard Siddons said it was a fantastic occasion. “Well done to Mark Edwards for an excellent performance, and thanks to all the judges, helpers and competitors for making…

The newly created Hard Asset Vendor section at Henry Howard Finance have increased their team with two new appointments, to support companies who offer finance solutions to their business customers.  [aoa id=”1″] Ben Bennet, Senior Account Manager at Henry Howard Finance, joins the team from DLL.  Prior to this Ben held financial roles spanning 25 years, at GE Capital. Simon Dodd, Account Manager, has over 30 years financial industry experience, and also previously held a role at GE Capital. [/aoa] The Hard Asset Vendor team specialise in working with dealers and manufacturers in the Construction, Materials Handling and Transport sectors.…

The Cardiff-based Thermal Compaction Group (TCG) has been awarded £426k by Innovate UK to develop its pioneering work in the recycling of medical waste material which can generate income for the NHS. [aoa id=”1″] The award was made through Innovate UK Open Call competition and the £426k is 70% funded by Innovate UK, with 30% invested by TCG. TCG has already won numerous awards for its work to divert polypropylene patient transfer sheets and single-use sterilisation wraps, used for surgical instruments in millions of operations in hospitals across the UK every year, from landfill. The company then uses the materials to…

Overall sentiment in the commercial property sector in Wales weakened in Q1 2019, with data for the office and industrial sectors softening and retail continuing to struggle, according to the Q1 2019 RICS survey. [aoa id=”1″]Overall demand from occupiers for commercial property in Wales saw a marginal decline over the quarter.  However, that was driven by the retail sector, where 31% more respondents reported a fall rather than rise in demand for retail units. Occupier demand for office space edged upwards but at a slower rate than in Q4 2018. Meanwhile, the industrial sector including warehouses, continued to see a…