Author: Rhys Gregory

On October 2nd, thousands of students will attend one of the UK’s biggest student shopping events – the St David’s Student Night 2018. This year the event is better than ever, with longer shopping time and no queues! Taking place from 4-9pm, St David’s will come to life as excited students from universities and colleges in South Wales and beyond take advantage of the epic discounts, freebies and music throughout the centre. At this year’s event there’s no need to queue, with everyone who registers receiving a PASS that allows you to enjoy the discounts once you head to the…

One of the oldest and best respected Lettings Agents in south Wales, Parkmans, is concerned for the future of the rental sector following the alarming market snapshot information released by RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) recently. [aoa id=”1″] According to RICS rents in England are expected to surge by 15 per cent over the next five years as a direct result of increasing demand and limited supply following government tax assaults on buy to let investors. Also, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors’ market snapshot stated 22 per cent more lettings agents had reported a fall in new landlord…

ONE of the country’s brightest business minds is among the headline speakers on a popular leadership programme. [aoa id=”1″] Dr Paul Thomas will discuss themes including change management, employee engagement, innovation and sustainability with the next CMI Level 5-7 20Twenty Business Growth cohort in Wrexham. The former BBC Wales Business Doctor and chairman of Sport Wales is now at the helm of think tank DNA Global Solutions. He is one of 10 well-known faces that will present to the group over 10 months, beginning this December. Dr Thomas says the value 20Twenty can bring to companies in Powys, Wrexham and…

A North Wales bakery is going back to the future after planting and harvesting 50 acres of retro wheat. The Village Bakery will be using the flour milled from the wheat to bake a new range of speciality bread to be launched in the Autumn. The crop was grown at a secret location in Flintshire. [aoa id=”1″] They planted Hereward wheat which was popular in the 1970s and 80s but has now fallen out of fashion with scientists developing other varieties with a higher yield. The idea is the brainchild of Village Bakery managing director Robin Jones and it’s all…

A HIGH-FLYING travel firm boss who has created more than 50 jobs in less than a year will tell Wrexham business leaders how his 35-store empire remains rooted in the heart of the town. [aoa id=”1″] Don Bircham, Managing Director of Hays Travel North West, will share the secrets of his success with members of an influential business group, Wrexham Business Professionals (WBP) on Friday September 21. The group is made up of successful businesses and highly skilled professional firms of solicitors, accountants and other business professionals working together to raise the profile of enterprise and expertise that exists in…

Bridgend based Magenta Financial Planning is celebrating its two-year anniversary this week! Headed by Chief Executive, Julie Lord and Managing Director, Gretchen Betts, Magenta is a small financial planning business based in Bridgend. With 43 years financial experience, Magenta works with clients to organise their financial affairs and create personal financial plans for their future security and happiness. Magenta prides itself on a friendly approach to financial planning, and works with clients from a variety of different backgrounds and sectors. The winner of various prestigious awards in 2017, including the Bridgend Business Forum’s ‘Start Up Company of the Year’ the…

Following the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Ester McVey’s, announcement yesterday (4 September) that she supports the pensions dashboard, Stuart Price, Partner and Actuary at Quantum Advisory, has reacted

A Cardiff-headquartered speciality bakery manufacturer has secured an additional £15 million finance package from HSBC UK and its other banking partners to support the acquisition of gluten free bakery business, Ultrapharm Ltd. [aoa id=”1″] Finsbury Foods, which produces a broad range of high-quality bread, cake and snack products, has agreed an uplift on its current £45 million revolving credit facility (RCF) to make the acquisition. This takes Finsbury’s total borrowing to £60 million. The existing £45 million RCF was agreed by banking partners HSBC UK, RBS and Rabobank in February 2018 to provide the business with a range of working…

Hospital corridor art galleries which raise cash to benefit patients have sold their 1,000thpicture. ‘Langland Hut with Ball’ by Rhona Tooze was bought by Jonathan Bishop from Fforestfach, Swansea, as a present for his wife. ”It always puts a smile on her face.” he said. The corridor galleries at Singleton Hospital in Swansea were created in 2007 when property manager and founding member of the arts and heritage team, Fiona Edwards, took over their management. [aoa id=”1″] Fiona was determined that the uninteresting corridors should be more uplifting and welcoming, while raising money for the benefit of patients. As a result,…

DRS Facilities Management, a Swansea-based company that provides specialist engineering solutions to the facilities management sector, has appointed a new managing director.  [aoa id=”1″]Mark Phillips started his new role with DRS in July 2018. Originally from Swansea, he previously worked as project director at Honeywell, and boasts over 30 years’ experience in electrical, IT services and building services control. He is a qualified electrical engineer with a degree in IT and has worked across the UK providing expertise in IT infrastructure installations. His work spans from projects at Heathrow and Stanstead airports to one of the largest pharmaceutical projects in…