Author: Rhys Gregory

Business to business (b2b) telecoms provider Challenger Mobile Communications is targeting growth after a management buyout service supported by a £1.4m loan from the Development Bank of Wales. The communications specialist has been supplying mobile phone solutions to businesses since it was established by co-founders Jeff Eamens and Wayne Skellon in 1991. This latest development sees Jeff buy out his former business partner to take on sole ownership of the company. Jeff has been working in telecoms since the mid-1980s, initially running a network of shops. When the market changed and Pay As You Go phones took off in the…

A second-year product design student, adventure athlete and Christian from Bangor University has been selected to participate in the bi-annual British Universities Kayak Expedition (BUKE). Elliot Goddard, 20, from Nelson, Caerphilly along with six of the best white-water student kayakers from across the UK, will kayak remote rivers in the Russian Far East in this self-supported expedition in June. The expedition will explore rivers surrounding Lake Baikal, with the aim of discovering rivers that have never been kayaked before. [aoa id=”1″]Elliot said: “I’m really excited and a little nervous about what’s ahead. In the case of some of the rivers,…

A scientist is on a mission to create the perfect gin after setting up his new solar-powered distillery in time for a top food festival this autumn. Former university lecturer Kevin Flower will be unveiling the special edition gin at the popular Llangollen Food Festival on Saturday and Sunday, October 19 and 20. Kevin, 53, who taught chemistry at the University of Manchester, has developed an eco-friendly distillery in the garage at his home in Conwy. Three years ago he threw caution to the wind, alongside university pals Andy Whiting and Euan Noble, to develop a unique brand of gin…

After a lifetime helping patients in the NHS, Anne Smith is running a growing print business and creating jobs for young people. Innovative Anne, and her photographer husband Eric, set up their business in Cardiff’s busy Crwys Road in 2011, within just weeks taking on their first employee. [aoa id=”1″] Fast forward eight years and Amyas Trading is undergoing a major expansion, taking over a unit in St Catherine’s Park off Newport Road, setting up new divisions and planning to add more staff to the payroll. Welsh ethical lender Robert Owen Community Banking Fund  (ROCBF) of Newtown in Powys, which…

A woman from Pontycymer, in Bridgend County Borough, has inspired more than 100 friends and relatives to get their running shoes on for the Cardiff Metropolitan University Cardiff 10K this year, following the tragic loss of her partner. Nicola Parsons (36) had been with her partner Alan (44), for 16-years, however he passed away while waiting for a third kidney transplant in June 2018, due to complications with endocarditis; a rare infection of the inner lining of the heart. Having bravely faced kidney disease for much of his life, Alan had his first kidney transplant in 2002, however after seven…

A fully funded after-work programme designed to support people into starting businesses is set to launch in Pontypridd. [aoa id=”1″]The 5 to 9 Club™ aims to support individuals with an idea and help them turn it into a fully fledged business by equipping them with the skills and knowledge they will need to launch and grow. The workshops are held once a week from 5pm to 9pm, to allow those who work full time to gain the experience and support needed to grow their business idea without taking the risk of giving up full-time employment.[/aoa] The workshops are open to…

Some of North Wales’ finest food and drink will be showcased at an event designed to boost the local tourism industry and champion Welsh food and drink. 2019 has been declared the ‘Year of Discovery’ by Visit Wales, and tourism and hospitality businesses in North Wales are being urged to give their guests a ‘taste of Wales’ by introducing them to new products. [aoa id=”1″]With this goal in mind, Welsh food and drink business growth support project, Cywain – in conjunction with Conwy Cynhaliol (Conwy Rural Partnership) and Go North Wales Tourism and Hospitality Academy – has organised a ‘Meet…

It has been suggested that women who take time off work after having children should receive a £2,000 pension top up.

Law firm Blake Morgan acted on more than £215 million worth of deals in Wales in the 2018/19 financial year, across a broad range of deal types including management buy-outs, acquisitions, disposals and private equity investments. [aoa id=”1″]Led by Partners Rob Cherry and James Williams, notable Welsh transactions included Zip World, Paramount Office Interiors, ALS Managed Services, Fostering Together, Shelton Care, iPulse, DNA (Mining) Ltd, Amberon and Delta Sound.[/aoa] James said:“Last year was a fantastic one for our team in Wales, who advised on a total of 23 Welsh deals to the value of over £215million. We are proud to…

The talent, skills and ambition of the region’s female property and construction student undergraduates were celebrated at the South Wales Women in Property Student Awards dinner held at Voco St David’s in Cardiff on 6th June. [aoa id=”1″]The Student Awards, seek out the best Built Environment degree students, highlighting to industry the necessity to link with Universities early in the education process and also improve the students’ knowledge of the career options available to them. Many secure work placements as a direct result of competing in the Awards, which often translate into permanent positions upon graduation.[/aoa] The 2019 South Wales…