Author: Rhys Gregory

ON Friday 1 March ACCA Cymru Wales held its annual St David’s Day Breakfast at the Hilton Hotel in Cardiff, alongside CMI Cymru Wales. Over 140 business leaders from across all sectors in Wales, as well as representatives from education, health and Government, came together to hear from Gary Thompson, a senior leader specialising in innovation, Full Fibre Networks and 5G. In his speech, Gary outlined the huge opportunities that could arise for Wales, by investing in digital infrastructure. He highlighted how this could meet the grand challenges outlined in the UK Industrial Strategy and the Welsh Government’s Economic Action…

A Swansea-based start-up has developed a first generation of products that will predict whether a person has or is likely to develop a serious lung condition. [aoa id=”1″] PulmonIR Ltd, the company behind the technology, is the first in the world to have developed a commercial instrument of this type specifically designed for respiratory applications.  Its founders say that it will lead to quicker diagnoses of a range of lung conditions, fewer unnecessary procedures, and better long-term outcomes for patients. The device is a clinical-grade infrared spectrometer that uses light to analyse sputum collected from patients.  The data gathered from…

The National Flood Forum, together with Flood Re – the government-backed, not-for profit scheme that reduces the costs of home insurance for those in high flood-risk areas – are bringing their ‘Let’s Talk About Flooding’ campaign to Llandudno next week. The campaign is intended to bring together people who have either been affected by flooding or are at risk of flooding to share experiences, learnings and voice any issues in the local area that are yet to be addressed. The event, the first of the campaign to visit Wales, will be held at Conwy Business Centre in Llandudno on Tuesday…

As the UK reflects on record February temperatures, scientists at Aberystwyth University are reporting a significant increase in heatwaves at sea – with potentially detrimental consequences for marine life. [aoa id=”1″] Writing in the journal Nature Climate Change, Dr Pippa Moore from the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences and colleagues from seven different countries report a 54% increase in ‘Marine Heatwaves’ between 1987 and 2016 compared with the period 1925 to 1954. Similar to heatwaves on land, marine heatwaves occur when unusually warm weather persists for prolonged periods of time at sea, but their impacts on marine species…

A Cardiff based risk management firm specialising in health and safety, environmental and quality compliance has its eyes set on international expansion after consolidation in the UK and investment in its technology offering.    [aoa id=”1″] Alcumus Group, which turns over £48.1million and employs more than 560 employees across five offices in England and Wales, will significantly invest in its product offering, increase headcount and explore additional acquisitions, following support from NatWest to free up capital. The technology-led business develops and implements user friendly software, alongside accreditation and certification, to help companies capture risk data and ensure health and safety compliance.…

UCAC education union has welcomed the proposal made by Welsh Government today to allow an extra INSET day each year for the next three years. The intention is for the extra day to be used to support the introduction of the new curriculum. A consultation on the proposal will be launched this week. In addition, the Education Minister, Kirsty Williams AM outlines the way in which Welsh Government will take forward the recommendations contained in the Professor Mick Water’s report ‘Teaching: a valued profession which was published in September 2018. One of the most noteworthy developments will be the establishment…

A KIND-HEARTED community has helped raise cash for a nursery so it can buy an interactive table tablet to boost children’s learning. [aoa id=”1″] Cylch Meithrin Dolgellau, which caters for more than 70 children, has had the impressive piece of technology installed by Rawson Digital, which has one of its two offices in Y Felinheli, after the nursery received a huge grant from the Co-operative. This has enabled the Smithfield Street nursery to download bilingual apps for the children to learn words and numbers in preparation for mainstream school, as well as playing educational games. The grant was raised through…

The inaugural Mid Wales Tourism Awards have been announced to celebrate and promote the region’s exceptional tourism industry and the talented businesses and individuals driving the sector forward.  [aoa id=”1″] Unveiled at the Mid Wales Tourism Conference, held in Llandrindod Wells, by Steve Hughson, chair of the Regional Tourism Forum (Mid Wales) and chief executive of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, the awards will recognise tourism excellence throughout Powys, the Brecon Beacons, Ceredigion and Southern Meirionnydd. “Mid Wales is being talked about all over the world so it is only fitting that these awards are introduced to reward the outstanding…

Swansea University’s Oriel Science will be returning to the National Waterfront Museum on Sunday, 10th March to host “Super Science Sunday” during British Science Week. From 11am-4pm, visitors of all ages can enjoy over 20 interactive science exhibits in this free event. This year visitors can find out how insects are helping to solve crimes, step into the amazing world of algae and tour the university’s research boat, ‘Noctiluca’. Younger guests can pay a visit to the Teddy Bear Hospital and the Swansea University Race Car Simulator will be available for all to test their skills on the virtual track.…

Tonyrefail-based Treforest Glass has invested in new machinery and premises thanks to support from NatWest and Lombard Asset Finance. [aoa id=”1″] The firm, which specialises in bespoke sealed glass units mainly for joineries, has used a combined £1.10m funding package from NatWest and Lombard Asset Finance to purchase a larger factory unit, as well as state-of-the-art machinery. At 30,000 sq.ft. the new unit on Parc Eirin is three times larger than its predecessor and will enable Treforest to service existing customer accounts, as well as facilitate growing demand for its innovative glass products. The fit-for-purpose unit includes manufacturing facilities, a…