Author: Rhys Gregory

A Welsh businessman stood out at this year’s ICAS (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland) Top 100 Young CAs Awards for embracing technology in the finance industry. [aoa id=”1″] Each year, the professional body celebrates a pool of bright young accountants they believe will shape the industry. Among the winners was Gareth Lewis, co-founder of global fintech provider Delio, whose innovative approach set him apart. With its HQ in Cardiff, Delio designs and delivers white-label technology platforms and their clients include global financial organisations. Through their platforms, the Welsh company connects investors to unique investment opportunities within private markets. Gareth Lewis…

The finalists for the 2019 Wales Transport Awards that represent the best of the Welsh transport sector have been revealed. [aoa id=”1″] The Wales Transport Awards was launched to celebrate the outstanding achievements of those in the Welsh transport industry and recognises the significant contribution made by the transport sector to the Welsh economy. The inaugural awards will take place on Friday 1st November at the Mercure Cardiff Holland House Hotel, where over 40 finalists will compete for awards in 11 categories including; Fleet of the Year, Transport Operator of the Year and Apprentice of the Year. [/aoa] Liz Brookes, Founder of the…

Transport for Wales have announced the details of the £194 million investment plan to improve all 247 railway stations across Wales. [aoa id=”1″] The Station Improvement Vision highlights what improvements customers and communities can expect to see at their local stations over the next fifteen years. The ambitious programme will deliver free WiFi, improved shelters, CCTV, improved provision for cycle storage and improved passenger information, at every station. Where possible, Transport for Wales will also create new retail facilities, presenting opportunities for local businesses and work in partnership to develop community spaces at stations. [/aoa] The improvements include expanding the…

Are city deals the way ahead for those regions starved of private sector investment? That is the question being posed at a Swansea University conference for academics, politicians and those people most affected by the four regional partnerships being developed across Wales. [aoa id=”1″] The second Symposium on City Deals, being held at the University’s Bay campus on September 18, will consider the delivery of the four City Deals and Development Partnerships in Wales, in the Cardiff City region, Swansea Bay, Mid Wales and North Wales. Sessions will look at the ambitions of City Deals and growth deals and will…

A strong commitment to apprenticeships has enabled an independently owned hotel, bar and restaurant on the Mid Wales coast to maintain a workforce of 40 highly trained and motivated staff. Gwesty’r Harbourmaster Hotel at Aberaeron, which has 13 luxury boutique style rooms, is focused on providing a high standard of customer care and visitor experience to maintain its excellent reputation across the UK. [aoa id=”1″] The hotel currently has 11 apprentices, has trained 20 over the past five years and plans to recruit more in the future. Learning provider Cambrian Training delivers a BIIAB Foundation Apprenticeship Level 2, Apprenticeships in…

The RSPCA has urged Deeside residents to be on the look-out for approximately 15 pet canaries believed to be loose in the Sandycroft area. It is understood the pet birds are on the loose in the local area, and anyone who spots one has been urged to note the location, carefully confine them if possible in a secure, well-ventilated cardboard box and contact the RSPCA immediately. Sadly, it is not anticipated that the pet birds will be able to survive for very long in the wild – so the RSPCA has issued an urgent call for members of the public…

A new online UK caravan industry directory has been launched to revolutionise the way customers unlock their lifestyle and leisure time dreams by making it easier for them to find and purchase products and services. [aoa id=”1″] The directory – www.UKParkfinder.com – is the result of 15 months of research and detailed planning by two industry professionals, Scott Higgins and Paul Callingham. The good friends are former workmates at Salop Leisure, one of the UK’s leading caravan and motorhome dealerships based in Shrewsbury, where they gave nearly 40 years’ service between them. Having spotted a gap in the market…

THESE are the first images of the new £1.2million community learning complex to be built at Coleg Cambria Llysfasi. The facility will serve people in rural areas of north east Wales as part of the Welsh Government’s Prosperity for All vision to provide more education links in towns and villages across the country. The two-storey hub will include IT and multimedia suites, workshops, classrooms, breakout spaces, a kitchen, offices and meeting rooms. Work is to begin in 2020, and services at the Ruthin Road complex will be bilingual and family and community focused. [aoa id=”1″] Cambria’s chief executive David Jones says the…

Brightly coloured bins and a huge art installation have appeared in Swansea city centre this week as a new on-the-go recycling initiative is being launched by environmental charity Hubbub, in partnership with Swansea City Council. Swansea #InTheLoop, is a five-month pilot scheme with the aim of increasing levels of recycling of plastic packaging, cans, glass bottles and coffee cups across the city.  Wales ranks second in the world for recycling at home, with figures showing that 63% of general waste collected by local authorities is reusable, recyclable or compostable.* While the people of Wales are well versed in home recycling, on-the-go…

One of the UK’s leading teacher training providers has marked its 20th year in business with the launch of its new headquarters in Cardiff. [aoa id=”1″] Dragonfly Training Ltd. has used a £105,000 funding package from NatWest to purchase its new head office in Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff Bay. The move will provide a base for the firm’s existing services, but also allow it to launch a new service, Elite by Dragonfly, offering classroom practices to big businesses and educating them on mental health wellbeing and performance enhancement. Tripling the size of its previous rented space in Penarth, Cardiff, the…