Author: Rhys Gregory

Pembrokeshire has reached a major digital milestone with 75% of the county now able to access gigabit-capable broadband. This represents a significant transformation from just over 5% coverage in 2019. Since then, coverage has increased steadily year on year, reflecting both the scale of delivery and the effectiveness of a partnership led approach and key support from the Swansea Bay City Deal’s Digital Infrastructure Programme. With initial limited commercial interest, heavy focus was placed on working closely with communities to demonstrate demand and remove barriers to deployment. This has helped to create the right conditions for competitive investment and has…

All 18 of Powys’ towns are to benefit from an equal share of a £1.5 million investment aimed at improving local spaces, revitalising high streets and strengthening communities. Powys County Council has received the funding through the UK Government’s Pride in Place Impact Fund, which supports short-term projects to improve public and community spaces. As part of the agreed approach, each town council will receive £83,000 to deliver locally-led improvements. The funding will help deliver a range of projects across three key themes: Community spaces – improving or refurbishing facilities and helping community organisations make better use of valued local…

Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid has launched its first Next Generation Talent Network – bringing 18 Chamber members and partner organisations together to support 18 to 25 year olds in developing the skills and connections to progress their careers. The Network will offer a six-month development programme to those who are early in their careers, helping them build professional and interpersonal skills. It will also teach them topics such as managing their personal brand, financial wellbeing, effective business networking, plus skills including LinkedIn training and communication. The Network will establish a Youth Advisory Board chaired by Chambers…

One of the UK’s largest insurance brokers, Howden, has officially launched its commercial offering in North Wales with the appointment of Nathan Brookfield as Account Executive. This marks an important milestone in the growth of Howden’s Commercial team, reinforcing its continued investment in Wales and commitment to supporting regional business growth. This new presence will enable Howden to work more closely with commercial clients across North Wales, delivering tailored insurance advice and risk management solutions to businesses in the region. Nathan Brookfield joins from Lothbury UK Ltd, where he held a similar role. Based in Wrexham, he will support commercial…

A COLEG Cambria lecturer received a hero’s welcome from students and staff after helping make television history as part of the first choir ever to win Britain’s Got Talent (BGT). Aled Morris, a Llangollen farmer and Agricultural Engineering lecturer at the college’s Llysfasi campus, returned to work to cheers and applause after the Britain’s Got Talent final, where the Hawkstone Farmers Choir beat drone light show act Celestial to take the crown. The 34-strong choir, made up of farmers and agricultural workers from across the UK, captivated millions of viewers with emotional performances and a powerful message highlighting mental health…

Distinct stripes painted in a cave on the Gower Peninsula in Wales have been revealed as the earliest known rock art in Britain by archaeologists. The international team who conducted new research at Bacon Hole cave, cared for by National Trust Cymru, confirmed that the art was created by humans 17,100 years ago. Overlooking the Bristol Channel the cave has long been known for its painted rock panel and is renowned as one of Wales’s most significant ‘bone caves’, named as such because of the ancient animal bones uncovered there. However, after being discovered in 1912 the rare creation made…

Nigel Morris, one of Wales’ first fintech disruptors, the managing partner of QED Investors and co-founder of Capital One Financial Services, will take to the main stage at the first Wales Fintech Festival this June for a fireside chat exploring his career journey, entrepreneurial experience and passion for investing. FinTech Wales, the independent membership association for the fintech and financial services industry in Wales, is holding Wales’ first Fintech Festival at Swansea Building Society Arena on June 3rd. Nigel will be joined by Justin Basini, Co-founder and CEO of The ClearScore Group, for the fireside chat during the morning session, hosted by…

A cherished woodland in Talgarth is now part of the National Forest for Wales, following a programme of access and conservation improvements. Park Wood, cared for by Coed Cadw, the Woodland Trust in Wales, has benefited from new and improved paths, step repairs and wider site enhancements made possible through The Woodland Investment Grant (TWIG), helping make the woodland more welcoming and accessible for visitors while supporting wildlife and outdoor learning. TWIG is delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with the Welsh Government’s National Forest for Wales Programme. The work has also created valuable opportunities for students…

Late payment pressures rise for Wales businesses in the first quarter of 2026, with the region seeing an increase in overdue invoices, according to a new report from R3, the UK’s trade body for restructuring, turnaround and insolvency professionals. R3’s latest Quarterly Business Health report, based on data from Creditsafe, shows that there were 475,000 late payments in the region in Q1 2026, an increase of 3% compared to the same period last year when there were 462,000 late payments. There were also around 57,000 companies with overdue invoices on their books in Q1 2026, a slight increase on Q1…

The Development Bank of Wales has invested £154,000 in the British Bird of Prey Centre to support the development of a new visitor attraction in Carmarthenshire, helping the business to strengthen the area’s tourism offer and create new jobs. The British Bird of Prey Centre is the only native bird of prey attraction in the UK, offering visitors close‑up experiences with British birds alongside daily flying shows. The investment, via the Wales Tourism Investment Fund, has supported the business in moving from its former site at the National Botanic Gardens and establishing a purpose‑built centre at a former equestrian centre…