Author: Rhys Gregory

ABM University Health Board chairman, Andrew Davies, has announced he is stepping down after six years at the helm. [aoa id=”1″] He made his announcement at the final board meeting of ABM UHB before it becomes Swansea Bay University Health Board on 1st April. However, Andrew, pictured below, will be staying in post over the next few months until a new chairman is appointed. He said: “My decision to step down has been influenced by several factors. Being chairman of a health board in Wales is a demanding job, and I have spent nearly 40 years in public life and…

Welsh craft makers looking to turn their talents into a business will have the opportunity to take part in two craft business masterclasses next week (April 10th & 11th). [aoa id=”1″] Organised by new business support project, Agora, the workshops will feature presentations and advice from some of Wales’ most successful craft business entrepreneurs. The first workshop will be held at The Orangery, Margam Park, Port Talbot on April 10th. Among the speakers will be Nancy Durham of Farmers’ Welsh Lavender Ltd. The Canadian journalist turned farmer planted Wales’ first lavender field north of the Brecon Beacons in 2003. Now,…

One of the UK’s leading parcel delivery companies is to open a high-profile new facility on one of Swansea’s most attractive business expansion sites. [aoa id=”1″] DPD is to occupy a new distribution centre at the 40-acre Parc Felindre, just off junction 46 of the M4, four miles north of the city centre. Developer PMH and funder Equites Property Fund are behind the new development to be occupied by DPD. Rob Stewart, leader of Swansea Council, said: “It’s great news for Swansea and south west Wales that a major business of DPD’s stature is investing significantly here. “Parc Felindre is…

Independent business news platform, Business News Wales has appointed former First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones to boost its senior advisory team. Launched in 2015, Business News Wales has become a trusted source of business online news across Wales, providing an independent forum for owners, organisations and business support functions to share content and learn about business activities. Managing Director, Mark Powney, who has more than two decades experience with using editorial and promoted content to help businesses reach their audiences, explained why he was excited to welcome Mr Jones to the business. He said: “Carwyn has achieved a great…

Children at two Swansea primary schools are benefiting from an innovative learning programme, that will help develop entrepreneurialism and problem-solving skills for future success. [aoa id=”1″] The Bumbles of Honeywood, designed by teachers and enterprise experts takes children to the world of Honeywood, where they learn about the environmental plight of the honeybee and the challenges the community of Honeywood face during their daily adventures. Through a series of visually engaging illustrations, books and a range of interactive educational activities including video, children aged five and six learn skills that encourage enterprising mindsets, preparing them for future life challenges, problem…

The official opening of a new £3 million headquarters and warehouse of a distribution firm is a “major vote of confidence” in Wrexham, according to the town’s AM. [aoa id=”1″] Lesley Griffiths, who is also the Welsh Government’s Minister for the Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, cut the ribbon at the new state-of-the-art complex built by McCarthy Distribution on Wrexham Industrial Estate. The 21 metre high centre will allow the expanding firm owned and run by managing director Mike McCarthy to double its capacity and create 12 new jobs. The event which was also attended by Mr McCarthy’s great nephews,…

The magical Italianate village of Portmeirion is to be the star of a new tv series on ITV Cymru Wales. The Village meets some of the men and women who help to run what is one of Wales’ premier visitor attractions. [aoa id=”1″]From the chef and the gardener to the painter and decorator each of them tells what it takes to keep such a landmark destination in tiptop condition. Cameras have been given unique access to show a year in the life of the iconic community near Porthmadog in Gwynedd. They capture the beauty of four glorious seasons and the…

The new Auditor General for Wales, Adrian Crompton, has set out a fresh ambition for the Wales Audit Office – to unleash its full potential and act as a catalyst for improvement. The Annual Plan, published jointly today with the Board of the Wales Audit Office, is designed to make the organisation bolder, more relevant and more ambitious. The Wales Audit Office is the public sector watchdog for Wales and audits approximately £19 billion of taxpayers’ money; almost a third of the Welsh GDP. It is entirely independent of government. Today’s Annual Plan sets out the planned programme of work…

The deadline for entries to find butchers hoping to win one of the industry’s most prestigious awards has been delayed to accommodate a late rush of entrants. [aoa id=”1″]The nationwide hunt was launched earlier this year to find talented butchers to compete in theButchery WorldSkills UK competition 2019. But with the original April 5 deadline fast approaching and entries still coming in from across the UK, organisers have delayed the closing date until April 12. The competition focuses on all of the essential skills required for a successful career as a multi-skilled butcher within the food manufacturing industry.[/aoa] Butchers are tested for…

This Easter an exciting new attraction will be appearing at The Red Dragon Centre, with a free, indoor maze springing up to entertain the whole family.  [aoa id=”1″] The Spring Maze will be at The Centre from Saturday 13th to Sunday 28th April and will be open daily from 10.30am until 4pm. As well as six Easter eggs hidden in the maze for children to find, maze runners will have the opportunity to hunt for Easter clues and potentially win a family day out at The Red Dragon Centre. The maze, which will take pride of place on The Centre’s main concourse,…