Author: Rhys Gregory

The latest NatWest Wales PMI® data indicated a marginal rise in business activity across the Welsh private sector in November. The slowdown in output growth was reflective of a weaker expansion in new business. [aoa id=”1″]That said, firms continued to increase their workforce numbers and at the fastest rate since September 2017. This was largely in response to a sustained rise in business requirements and efforts to clear backlogs. Concurrently, firms expressed a lower degree of optimism towards future output. The level of confidence was the weakest since March 2013 amid increasing concerns surrounding Brexit.The headline Wales Business Activity Index…

Michael Gove today will announce a strengthening of the law and new money to ensure the whole of the UK’s fishing industry prospers as we become an independent coastal state. [aoa id=”1″]The UK Government will table an amendment to the Fisheries Bill which will enshrine its commitment to secure a fairer share of fishing opportunities for UK fishermen. The amendment would place a legal obligation on the Secretary of State, when negotiating a fisheries agreement with the EU, to pursue a fairer share of fishing opportunities than the UK currently receives under the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). This would overhaul the current system where UK…

Salisbury Group – the provider of building energy and facilities management solutions – received a prestigious award at the Energy Awards last week.[aoa id=”1″][/aoa]The company was announced as the winner of the Lighting Energy Impact Award for its landmark energy transformation at Cardiff Airport.The results of the Energy Awards 2018 were revealed at Hilton Park Lane in London, where the energy industry elite came together for a night of recognition and celebration of the sector’s achievements. An expert judging panel from across the industry unanimously chose Salisbury Group as its winner following a rigorous selection process.Cardiff Airport is one of…

Scores of green-fingered volunteers have been doing their bit for the environment.[aoa id=”1″]A series of planting days have been held in Rhyl by Denbighshire County Council’s Countryside Service as part of a project to plant 18,000 trees in the county.The Council is in the process of planting 11,000 trees at Rhyl’s former tip site, Glan Morfa, transforming it into a multi-use community green space, while a further 7,000 trees will be planted at other sites in Rhyl and Upper Denbigh.[/aoa]The extensive tree planting is part of the Council’s corporate priority to protect and enhance the county’s environment.Cllr Tony Thomas, Denbighshire’s…

The firm, which has five offices across the South and Wales: Reading, Bristol, Cardiff, Plymouth and the South Coast, saw revenues increase by 8% from £2,172m to £2,338m for the financial year ended 30 September 2018 and underlying profit increased by 18% year on year to reach £356m.Karen Witton, south regional chair for KPMG said:“In line with the wider firm, our business across the South West and Wales has had a very strong year. Alongside supporting businesses in our core capabilities of tax and audit, we have been in demand as companies plan for Brexit, respond to a changing consumer…

A record 2,000 people turned out in fancy dress to take part in this year’s Santa dash in Cardiff Bay.Now in its fifth year, the Santa dash in Cardiff Bay in aid of Welsh Hearts is the biggest Santa run of its kind in Wales.The race started in Roald Dahl Plass, with participants running and walking the 5km to the barrage and back. All monies raised for Welsh Hearts will go towards:Heart Screening in WalesPlacing Defibrillators in Welsh communitiesProviding free CPR & Defibrillator trainingSpeaking to Wales247, Kimberley Lloyd, Operations Manager for Welsh Hearts said:”We are delighted. This event has grown and now…

South Wales Police are investigating a serious road collision that occurred at approximately 07:15 hours on Sunday 9thDecember 2018. The collision occurred at Princess Louise Road near its junction with Oakfield Terrace, Llwynypia, Tonypandy, Rhondda. A white Nissan NV 200 van, was in collision with a female pedestrian. As a result of the collision the 65 year old female pedestrian suffered fatal injuries.South Wales Police are appealing for any witnesses to the collision, or the driving of the small white Nissan van prior to the collision, to contact 101 quoting reference 1800469936.The road was closed for a number of hours…

St David’s Cardiff, Wales’ leading shopping and leisure destination, has welcomed international fashion brand Bershka to the centre today, marking its first store in Wales.[aoa id=”1″][/aoa]Established in 1998, Bershka has grown into a multinational brand with 1,000 stores in over 70 markets around the world, offering a wide range of fashion forward footwear and accessories for men and women.Fans of the brand enjoy Bershka’s wide spectrum of trends ranging from casual wear to sports to basic garments and more fashionable items.Steven Madeley, general manager of St David’s Cardiff said:“The shoppers of Cardiff always have their finger on the pulse when…

Every year, Bangor University supports students with sporting ability by offering a number of Sports Scholarships for students studying for a degree in any subject area.[aoa id=”1″][/aoa] These Sports Scholarships are awarded to recognise and support sporting excellence and achievement. They are aimed at helping talented and high performance students to combine their academic study and sporting performance to assist them in achieving their full potential. Richard Bennett, Director of Commercial Services, said:“We are very pleased to support a number of highly talented athletes at Bangor University. We keep investing in up-to-date equipment to attract top athletes to the university. The athletes…

GE Aviation Wales has won a Gold Valued Partner Award through its involvement in the Careers Wales Education Business Exchange Programme.[aoa id=”1″]The programme is designed to help bridge the skills gap between education and employment by bringing schools and businesses together. From offering work placements, to visiting schools and running mock interviews, the Education Business Exchange programme was launched by Careers Wales in 2018 and now has more than 50 companies on board.Receiving the award is a celebration of the contribution GE Aviation Wales has made to business and careers-focussed activities in schools to support the development of Wales’ future…