Author: Rhys Gregory

THE brightest young creative minds from across Wales are being given a chance to boost their skills and employment prospects through a new development scheme. [aoa id=”1″] The Wales Creative Industries Academy launched at the University of South Wales (USW) Cardiff Campus this earlier week. The collaboration will see USW working with further education colleges across Wales to provide creative challenges that stretch high achievers, raise their aspirations, and develop leadership potential. During the launch, the first cohort of students learned about creative talent from Robin Moore, the Head of Innovation at BBC Wales, and visiting Professor at USW’s Faculty…

LSN Diffusion (LSN), a high-tech metallurgical business has secured a further £1.25m loan from the Development Bank of Wales to support their ambitious growth plans. LSN’s cutting-edge technology is used to manufacture high alloy atomised powders used in high-tech industrial applications including 3D printing and specialised uses in the defence and other industrial sectors. The latest loan will help the business increase production capacity by 80% over the next three years by expanding manufacturing facilities in Cilyrychen, Ammanford. The funding will secure existing employment and create 40 new skilled jobs bringing the headcount to over 135 employees. In 2012, LSN…

Welsh food and drink companies are preparing to attend one of the world’s largest food trade events in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from 17-21 February. [aoa id=”1″] Held at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Gulfood will attract over 98,000 visitors over the five days, welcoming more than 5,000 exhibitors from 193 countries showcasing products across 8 primary market sectors. Supported by the Welsh Government, 14 Welsh companies from across the food and drink sector in Wales will be present under the Cymru/Wales banner all looking to promote their products and increase their export markets. [/aoa] The Welsh companies exhibiting include…

For the first time ever, rail customers on the Wales and Borders network can claim for delays of just 15 minutes. [aoa id=”1″] The move follows the successful introduction of the Delay Repay system in late 2018 and will mean customers will be compensated if they reach their final destination 15 minutes later than expected, regardless of the reason. Customers are now able to claim 25% of the cost of the single fare or 25% of the cost of the relevant leg of a return ticket for delays of between 15 and 29 minutes. Delay Repay offers a wider choice…

ASH Wales is calling for a review of recommendations around e-cigarettes in Wales, after a study showed they make quitting smoking easier. The study led by Queen Mary University of London tested e-cigarettes and nicotine replacement products (NRT) such as patches and gum on 900 smokers in the first study of its kind. It found that 18.0% of those using e-cigarettes managed to successfully quit smoking and were smoke free after a year, compared to just 9.9% of smokers using other forms of NRT. The smokers taking part in the study were attending UK NHS stop smoking services and were…

Detectives have this afternoon charged a 40-year-old man with the attempted murder of a pensioner in Pontarddulais. Jeffrey Paul Lloyd was arrested at his home in the town on Monday, following the incident which occurred on Garnswllt Road on the morning of January 9th. The 72-year-old victim of the assault remains in hospital with serious head injuries. Her condition is described as critical but stable. The suspect will appear before Swansea Magistrates’ Court tomorrow (Friday, February 1st), charged with attempted murder and robbery. Officers are not currently looking for anyone else in relation to the incident, however they are still…

The Wrexham-based Village Bakery have been invited by the Welsh Government to attend a one of the world’s largest food trade events in Dubai. [aoa id=”1″] The five-day show, Gulfood, gets underway on February 17 and is expected to attract 97,000 buyers from more than 185 countries all over the world. The Village Bakery will be showcasing their award-winning products, including their sourdough blinis and crumpets as well as the Welsh Cakes. Bosses at the family firm are hoping for a similar reaction to the enthusiastic response Duchess of Sussex when she raved about their Welsh Cakes. [/aoa] She sampled…

The thriving Welsh technology community is set to celebrate excellence and innovation as nominations officially open for the Wales Technology Awards 2019. [aoa id=”1″] Now in its seventh year, the Wales Technology Awards powered by the ESTnet (the network for the Welsh tech industry), champion the outstanding achievements and innovations made by Wales’ 3,000 technology companies. Nominations for the prestigious awards are now open, and will remain open until 5 April. The award ceremony itself will take place on 20 June at Cardiff City Hall. Award categories will cover all aspects of the Welsh tech sector, including the prestigious Sir…

Winners of the 2019 British Pool & Hot Tub Awards have been revealed at the annual wet leisure industry gala evening, held during SPATEX at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry (on 29th January 2019).  The annual Industry Gala Evening brings together BISHTA (British and Irish Spa and Hot Tub Association) and SPATA (Swimming Pool and Allied Trades Association) in a joint event to highlight the achievements of their members in the wet leisure industry, by showcasing the best examples of design, construction, installation and innovation. Local company, Oyster Pools & Leisure, based in South Wales, were awarded Gold in the Peter Geekie…

Bipsync, a research platform provider for investment management firms, with bases in Cardiff and New York, has announced a $7 million (approx. £5.34m) growth investment led by leading fintech investment firm Edison Partners, with FINTOP Capital also participating in the round. [aoa id=”1″] Proceeds will be used to expand the company’s global footprint and accelerate product innovation, customer success initiatives, and sales and marketing operations for Bipsync’s category-defining approach to knowledge management for the investment front office. Growing out of Silicon Valley in 2013, Bipsync chose Cardiff to be the home of its product development as its then co-founder Dan…