Author: Rhys Gregory

In what will be a welcome boost for savers, Swansea Building Society has announced that it will increase the interest rate payable on all its savings accounts by 0.25% from October 1, 2018.  [aoa id=”1″] The Society made the change after conducting a thorough review of the savings interest rates offered by other banks and building societies following the decision by the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee in August to increase the Bank Base Rate by 0.25% to 0.75%. The move also reflects a wider trend whereby building societies pay a more attractive interest rate on savings, compared with high street…

Entrepreneurs, SMEs and start-ups can now access a “one-stop shop” of business advice thanks to a new online toolkit from Wynne-Jones IP. [aoa id=”1″] The intellectual property firm has launched its Pioneer’s Toolkit, which aims to support businesses across all sectors in strengthening and protecting their brands by offering expert industry advice. Through the online resource business owners can access information on areas including finance, branding and marketing, intellectual property, product development, research, tax credits and legal support. [/aoa] Available through Wynne Jones IP’s website, the toolkit provides access to support from the firm’s team of intellectual property experts alongside…

Those at the helm of Swansea City Centre’s bars, clubs and night time businesses were recognised for their dedication to making the City Centre a safe place for evening visitors, at an awards ceremony last week. More than 20 traders in Swansea City Centre officially signed up to the Home Office-backed Best Bar None scheme back in July 2017, in a bid to reduce alcohol related crime and disorder, and to support bar staff to promote safe and responsible practices and behaviour. On Tuesday 12 September, those who have been working towards their accreditations were recognised at an event at…

A hospital consultant and experienced NHS leader has been appointed as ABMU’s new Medical Director. [aoa id=”1″] Dr Richard Evans is currently Clinical Board Director for Medicine and a practising hospital consultant specialising in infectious diseases and general (internal) medicine at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. He has more than 12 years’ experience in senior leadership roles in the NHS and brings with him extensive knowledge of leading complex clinical services. [/aoa] Dr Evans qualified from the University of Wales College of Medicine and undertook his specialist training in Wales and the USA, completing a Research Fellowship at Harvard…

Stuart Price from Quantum Advisory explains why former steelworkers at Allied Steel and Wire are still not getting the pension they were promised and suggests what the Pension Protection Fund could do to resolve the situation.

Chilling police videos have revealed how the callous daughter and grandson of an 84-year-old woman repeatedly denied her murder. [aoa id=”1″] Grandson Barry Rogers was arrested after an ex-partner told police he had confessed to killing frail Betty Guy at her home in Johnston near Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire. Police arrested his mother, Penelope John when they realised that she had lied about Betty’s medical condition in a call to emergency services the night that Betty died. Now police tapes, to be broadcast on ITV Wales’ Crime Files at 8pm on Monday night will show how those lies continued as the…

Seven Welsh high streets have been shortlisted in this year’s Great British High Street Awards 2018, sponsored by Visa, putting them in the running to win a £15,000 prize. After a rigorous selection process led by a panel of independent judges, four Welsh high streets have been shortlisted in the Champion category, which aims to find the UK’s best high street, while three high streets in Wales have been shortlisted in the Rising Star category, which aims to find the UK’s most ambitious high streets. Shortlisted Welsh high streets – Champion Award Holywell, Flintshire Welshpool, Powys Crickhowell, Powys Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire…

As work continues on the first phase of Plasdŵr, the sustainable community being created over the next 20 years in north west Cardiff, the developers have partnered with local business The Bike Shed to offer every household a £50 cycle voucher. [aoa id=”1″] The voucher can be redeemed, against the purchase of a bike, helmets or safety gear, at The Bike Shed store on Cathedral Road, in Pontcanna. Each Plasdŵr home is also provided with one free annual bus pass, with both benefits part of Plasdŵr’s commitment to its own and Cardiff Council’s active travel ambitions. The plan for movement…

Bala farmer Geraint Davies, who resigned as Welsh Chair of Nature Friendly Farming Network last week, has cited differences of opinion on recognising potential impacts of policies on families and food production as key reasons he felt he could no longer lead the organisation in Wales. [aoa id=”1″] Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN), which was launched in January this year at the Real Oxford Farming Conference, comprises farmers from across the UK, and is funded and supported by a range of organisations, including the RSPB, Wildlife Trusts, National Trust, Friends of the Earth and the Organic Soil Association. Speaking about…

As part of the 10-year anniversary of “Encouraging Women into Franchising” (EWIF), the South West & Wales region are bringing a focus on franchising as a business model to university students, aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners looking to expand. Organised and led by local commercial law firm Darwin Gray, the evening event at Cardiff University will take place on 11 October 2018 and will feature a panel of entrepreneurial expertsfrom global franchise Toni & Guy who will talk about their path to success and also the award-winning Mrs Bucket, who will be sharing her inspiring journey starting out as a…