Author: Rhys Gregory

Legal & General Assurance Society Limited (“Legal & General”) has announced that it has invested £200 million in new trains for the Wales & Borders franchise. Legal & General is helping to finance a new fleet of 60 trains for the Core Valley Lines (CVL) in and around Cardiff, representing a significant investment in new rolling stock for Wales. The fleet is scheduled to begin running in 2024. The new Wales & Borders rolling stock fleet will be a critical part of delivering increased capacity for the rail service in and around Cardiff. The replacement of an ageing diesel fleet…

Based in Wrexham, Lee Robinson joins Transport for Wales with a wealth of experience, having previously held post as Director of Economy and Place for nine years at Wrexham County Borough Council. Having worked closely on developing the regional transport network in North Wales, he is now excited about the prospect of investing in and improving the current transport links. Transport for Wales is at the start of a very exciting journey to transform the transport sector throughout the whole of Wales through driving forward the Welsh Government’s vision of a high quality, safe, integrated, affordable and accessible transport network.…

Research into investment in start-ups across the UK during 2018, shows that Cardiff is buzzing with new businesses that investors are keen to back; a strong indication of the city’s future growth, according KPMG’s Venture Pulse survey.  It revealed that 13 different companies in the capital together received over £40 million in 2018. While there was a strong focus on the tech sector, with the largest injection of £15 million going to MYPINPAD (which provides payment software authentication solutions), there was a creative smorgasbord of businesses receiving investment: £5 million went to Surechill, a company specialising in refrigeration systems £133,000…

James Sheehan and Zoe Carter have swapped London’s bright lights and fast paced city life for the tranquility and beauty of the Welsh borderlands. The couple fell in love with Milebrook House Hotel, which nestles in the Teme Valley near Knighton, when they stayed there in 2017. They enjoyed their stay in the picturesque country house hotel so much that they decided to buy in. “It’s a funny thing but I suppose our story reminds us of the old Remington ad when Victor Kiam says ‘I liked the shaver so much, I bought the company’,” said James. He and Zoe completed the purchase…

A magnificent country house in the heart of Mid Wales which is used for weddings, corporate events, school and group visits and conferences, has appointed a new general manager. David Kelly joins Broneirion, Llandinam, near Llanidloes having gained many years’ experience within the hospitality industry. Focused on driving forward customer service and building on the award-winning property’s good reputation, he has introduced Gold Standard Award Service for staff training, has rejuvenated menus and introduced new theme nights. Broneirion has again been recognised by the Welsh Wedding Awards. After winning Welsh Wedding Venue of the Year in 2018, both the team…

The Rhug Estate welcomed a group of Year Seven pupils from Ysgol y Berwyn, Bala, recently. The group of ten children and staff visited Rhug Farm as part of the Lead Creative Schools Scheme which explores new and creative approaches to teaching and learning. Ysgol y Berwyn pupils are working with lead artist, Jessica Balla, on a cross-curricular project responding to the theme of agriculture. The aim of the project is to approve attainment in numeracy. On their visit to Rhug the pupils practiced their numeracy skills by undertaking practical tasks and learnt how these skills are used day-to -day…

A new report that calls on the Welsh Government to implement changes to the country’s successful apprenticeships programme to make it world class, has been welcomed by the Minister for Economy and Transport, Ken Skates. “This report makes a great contribution to our thinking and consideration of future policy development,” he said at the launch of the thought-provoking, independent report, ‘Maximising the Value of Apprenticeships to Wales’, at the Senedd in Cardiff. “For all of us the challenge is to create a responsive apprenticeship system that has social justice at its heart.” In response to the report, the City &…

Detectives investigating an attempted robbery in Port Talbot are appealing for a good Samaritan who intervened to come forward. The victim, a woman in her 70s, was approached by an unknown man as she walked through an alleyway between the Well Pharmacy and Sweetmans on Forge Road at approximately 8.30pm on Friday, January 18th. As she made her way to her car, which was parked in the car park to the rear of the buildings, she heard a man shout. She turned and was confronted by the suspect, who grabbed her face and attempted to take her handbag, telling her…

Being named Trainer of the Year in the 2018 Vocational Qualification (VQ) Awards for Wales was one of the proudest moments in Tom Jones’ educational career. For the inspirational lecturer from Cardiff and Vale College, who has overcome a spinal injury to develop a rewarding teaching career, it was national recognition and an endorsement that he was doing a good job. Now 32-year-old Tom, who lives in Barry, is encouraging other trainers, learners and employers to enter the 2019 VQ Awards. “I wasn’t expecting to be nominated for the award let alone to win it, but it was a massive…

Detectives in Cardiff are investigating a serious assault which occurred on City Road on Thursday night (February 7th). Officers were called to an altercation involving several people near Chicken.Com at approximately 11.45pm. Armed officers were deployed to the scene alongside divisional officers, but those involved left prior to police arrival. A 17-year-old later presented at the University Hospital of Wales with stab wounds. His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening. Arrest enquiries have been carried out across the city, and four people have so far been arrested. An 18 and 19-year-old have since been released on bail, while a…