Author: Rhys Gregory

The British Business Bank today announces the accreditation of Robert Owen Community Banking Fund (ROCBF) as a lender for the term loan variant of the Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) Programme. [aoa id=”1″] Based in Newtown, Mid Wales, ROCBF has recently launched an enhanced range of ethical loans for businesses, individuals and communities across Wales. These business loans, ranging from £1000 to £50,000, are available to support a spectrum of local enterprises. Their new EFG accreditation will enable ROCBF to increase still further their provision of finance to smaller businesses that might otherwise struggle to obtain the finance they need. The…

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has met with key figures in the European Commission and Parliament to discuss Brexit and its implications, with just 30 days to go before the UK is due to leave the EU. [aoa id=”1″] As well as meeting Welsh MEP Derek Vaughan and others, FUW President Glyn Roberts met with European Parliament Vice President Mairead McGuinnes, Vice Chairman of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee Paolo de Castro, and Commission cabinet member Tom Tynan. Speaking after the round of meetings on Tuesday (February 26), Mr Roberts said: “With just thirty days to go before we…

Three Cardiff Metropolitan University students are celebrating after being awarded coveted scholarships from The National Strength and Conditioning Association Foundation (NSCA) in Colorado. [aoa id=”1″] Megan Wong has been named a recipient of the NSCA’s Women’s Scholarship. This $1,500 scholarship is designed to support women, ages 17 and older, to enter the field of strength and conditioning. Megan is currently attending Cardiff Met for her Ph.D, where she focuses on youth athletic development. She is also a strength and conditioning coach for youth athletes at Glamorgan Cricket County. Ian Dobbs has been named a recipient of the NSCA’s Challenge Scholarship.…

Barry-based LIGNIA® Wood Company, the modified timber business, has announced a new distribution partnership that covers much of Europe and South East Asia with Global Timber, one of Europe’s leading timber companies. [aoa id=”1″] Global Timber, based in Aarhus in Denmark, has the largest warehouse in northern Europe for hardwoods, with stock purchased on six continents. In addition to its European sales, it also has a significant presence in South East Asia. The agreement between LIGNIA and Global Timber covers an initial five-year period. LIGNIA Yacht will be sold across Europe on a joint exclusive basis and LIGNIA and LIGNIA…

The family of a man who died following a collision in Bryntirion on Wednesday 20th February have paid tribute to him. Christopher Paul Badman died at the scene of the single-vehicle collision which occurred on Llangewydd Road at approximately 11:20am. Paying tribute his family said: “My son Christopher, 40 years old, died too young. “He had many faults and usually paid the consequences. What has happened now is the ultimate consequence. “Chris had a heart of gold and would help anyone if he could. He had a partner whom he loved and treated her two boys like his own. “Those…

The Welsh Rugby Union Limited (WRU) has appointed NatWest as its new banker in an agreement that will see the bank provide funding worth £40m in support of the WRU’s commitment to professional and community rugby in Wales. The deal, which has been completed by NatWest’s Corporate Coverage and Structured Finance teams, includes revolving credit facilities to support earnings enhancing capital expenditure and ongoing working capital needs. The funding package will enable the WRU to continue to support Welsh rugby’s professional rugby strategy, which is ultimately aimed at delivering international and regional performance consistency, Pro14 success, and promoting and facilitating…

As evidence linking traditional cleaning products to both environmental and health hazards continues to grow, Genesis Biosciences is calling on the hotel and restaurant industry to rethink the way it cleans its facilities to avoid potentially exposing customers and employees to harsh chemicals.

The Welsh Innovation Centre for Enterprise (Welsh ICE) has appointed a new Community Outreach Manager as it looks to connect with potential business founders across south east Wales. [aoa id=”1″] 30-year-old Lesley Williams joins the team at Welsh ICE as it looks to connect with potential business founders outside of Caerphilly, in order to ensure more people across the region have a route to support. Formerly an events and business development manager, Lesley will be responsible for bringing the guidance and benefits of ICE to communities across the South Wales Valleys – areas that have traditionally struggled to access support.…

You can be sure there will be plenty of cake when North Wales bakery, Siwgr a Sbeis, celebrates its 30th anniversary this week. [aoa id=”1″] In the three decades since opening a small shop in Llanrwst, Siwgr a Sbeis has become an award-winning and thriving business with a customer base stretching across Wales and beyond. Owners Rhian Owen and Rhian Williams met at school in the Vale of Clwyd, both had a passion for cooking and continued their studies at bakery college in Wrexham before pursuing careers in catering and hospitality. But their dream was to run their own business…

Welsh butcher, Tim Rowe, has become one of only 45 butchers in the UK to be awarded Institute of Meat (IoM) accredited Master Butcher status. [aoa id=”1″] A meat consultant at Carmarthenshire-based Castell Howell Foods Ltd and a director of Celtic Pride Ltd – Tim received his award at the IoM’s annual prize-giving event in London. The event, held by The Institute of Meat and The Worshipful Company of Butchers, has been running for over 27 years and celebrates the ‘best of the best’ in the meat and poultry industry. An eighth-generation butcher, Tim was presented with his award by…