Author: Rhys Gregory

Cardiff-based bank, Hodge has announced several new appointments to strengthen its Commercial Lending team. The bank, which provides a range of commercial and residential lending products, welcomes four new appointments to its commercial lending division, following several new products launches across 2019. The new appointments bring more than 60 years’ of collective banking experience to Hodge: Jill Woodward – relationship manager, formerly of Principality Building Society and HBoS Louise Bronson – relationship manager, formerly of Barclays and Bibby Financial Services Jayne Edwards – relationship support manager, formerly of HSBC and Royal Bank of Scotland Sharon Morgan – relationship support manager,…

A Grade II listed office building in Cardiff Bay has been placed on the market for residential conversion / redevelopment, subject to planning. [aoa id=”1″] Baltic House is situated in Mount Stuart Square and currently provides 21,000 sq ft (net) of office accommodation over six floors behind an Edwardian Baroque style façade. The property is owned and occupied by the Wales Council for Voluntary Action, which has instructed property agent, Cushman & Wakefield, to market the building for sale by Informal tender, with bids (conditional and/or unconditional) to be submitted by noon on 31 October 2019. Cardiff Bay is positioned…

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has raised close to £40,000 for its charities Alzheimer’s Society Cymru and the Farming Community Network, following two years of successful fundraising. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease or any other type of dementia, research is desperately underfunded and there are not enough researchers and clinicians joining the fight against dementia. Alzheimer’s Society is committed to spending at least £150 million over the next decade on dementia research to improve care for people today and find a cure for tomorrow. This includes £50 million to develop the UK’s first dedicated Dementia Research Institute. The…

An initiative to foster entrepreneurship amongst young people and boost the use of the Welsh language in business has been launched by Menter a Busnes (MaB) – as part of its 30th-anniversary celebrations. [aoa id=”1″] The independent economic development company offers a wide range of bi-lingual business support and skills development to small, medium and large companies throughout Wales, and business consultancy services wider afield. MaB’s Schools Initiative will see the company working with up to 30 schools in Wales – working with Welsh learners and first language Welsh speakers – providing support and advice to allow schools and pupils…

Boris Johnson is seemingly trying to force a cliff-edge Brexit and the pensions, insurance and healthcare of around 1.3 million British citizens living in the EU are at risk. [aoa id=”1″] This is the stark warning from Nigel Green, CEO of deVere Group, the world’s largest independent financial advisory organisation, which has 80,000 mainly expatriate clients. “The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator yesterday accused Boris Johnson of only ‘pretending to negotiate’ as the UK’s scheduled exit date draws nearer.  The ex-Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd quit the government earlier this month as it was having no formal negotiations with the EU…

Over a third of bikes sold in the United Kingdom are mountain bikes. However, what was once seen as a very male-dominated hobby, is becoming increasingly popular with all members of the family, providing a way for parents to reconnect with their children, improve mental health and discover the natural wildlife and landscape that’s often on their doorstep.  [aoa id=”1″] Evans Cycles recently asked UK cyclists of all abilities to share their secret mountain bike routes, including amazing views, wonderful wildlife and fantastic terrain. Here are ten of the best, as nominated and photographed  by cyclists across the UK: [/aoa]…

The Ivy Collection is delighted to announce the opening of its first brasserie in Wales this winter. Located within the heart of Cardiff on The Hayes at St David’s Cardiff, and catering for over 260 guests across two stunning floors, The Ivy Cardiff will offer sophisticated yet friendly all-day dining in a beautiful setting. [aoa id=”1″] The brasserie will be open seven days a week from morning until night, offering an idyllic location whatever the occasion. As well as the main restaurant and central bar situated on the ground floor, The Ivy Cardiff will also feature a stunning first floor…

A £10 million programme to transform the Hodge House office building in central Cardiff is now under way. [aoa id=”1″] Owner Legal & General has embarked upon major refurbishment works to create 110,000 sq ft of contemporary office space within the neo-classical Portland stone Grade II listed building on St Mary Street. While the building’s unique features – such as the period staircase off St Mary Street and the old vaulted ballroom on the fifth floor – are being restored and enhanced, six floors of large open-plan modern offices are being created, together with a striking atrium. The works, which…

Robin Jones, the managing director of the award-winning Village Bakery, revealed plans were underway to replace the state-of-the art production facility on Wrexham Industrial Estate following the devastating blaze four weeks ago. Architects have already been engaged and they are looking at two possible options, either to rebuild on the original site or on nearby land in Ash Road which they already own and have planning permission for. In the meantime, production has been ramped up at the family firm’s other three bakeries to maintain supplies to their customers. Mr Jones paid tribute to the bakery’s staff who had responded…

A MANCOT mum has braved a 10-mile obstacle course to raise money for a prostate cancer charity after her father was affected by the disease. For the second year running, Delyth Jones, a customer services representative for McCarthy Distribution, on Wrexham Industrial Estate, took part in the Tough Mudder Classic at Cholmondeley Castle in Cheshire. This year, she raised £400 for Prostate Cancer UK after her much-loved Dad, Barry Hickman, 70, of Drury, was given the all clear from the disease two years ago. Barry discovered he had the disease eight years ago following a routine medical check-up. He underwent…