Author: Rhys Gregory

A former British Champion kickboxer from Cwmbran has credited the support he received from Business Wales for giving him the confidence to leave his day job and pursue a career as a start-up entrepreneur. Hywel Smith, a qualified personal trainer, competitive bodybuilder, and kickboxer, had considered becoming a self-employed coach for some time. However, it wasn’t until the sad passing of a close friend and fellow athlete that he decided to reach out to Business Wales for support in starting his entrepreneurial journey as a fitness coach. Graham Harvey, a Business Wales Adviser specialising in business and commercial relationship banking,…

Plans for Cardiff’s highly anticipated 16,500 capacity indoor arena have reached a significant milestone as Cardiff Council, and the consortium comprised of Live Nation and Robertson Property today announced financial close on the project. The announcement marks a key step forward in delivering a state-of-the-art venue that will attract world-class artists and entertainment to the city. Designed for music, with world class acoustics and stunning sight lines, the arena is expected to have a transformative impact not only on Cardiff’s cultural scene, but also on its economic landscape. The arena will create over 1000 jobs and, when open, attract more…

The Independent Office for Police Conduct has today published an update on its investigation into the tragic deaths of Kyrees Sullivan and Harvey Evans in Ely in 2023. Assistant Chief Constable Simon Belcher said: “Following the tragic deaths of Kyrees Sullivan and Harvey Evans in Ely in 2023, South Wales Police made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct to ensure the matter received independent scrutiny. “The force has fully co-operated with the IOPC investigation and provided information and material, including CCTV footage and body-worn video.” The IOPC investigation has determined that a police van was half a mile…

We popped along to Cardiff Bay to see what all the fuss was about with the new flower vending machine at The Red Dragon Centre. Coincidentally, it also happened to be our 2nd wedding anniversary, so I thought, why not give it a go? Now, the idea of buying flowers from a vending machine doesn’t exactly scream romance at first. Let’s be honest, it makes you think of last-minute petrol station bunches, the sort you pick up in a panic when you’ve forgotten a birthday or an anniversary. But after trying it out, I take it all back. The flowers…

A North Wales entrepreneur has turned a kitchen-table idea into a thriving artisan ferments brand, thanks to a £5,000 Start Up Loan from the British Business Bank. Anna Lloyd, 27, is the founder of Bwblin, a vegan, organic and carbon-neutral fermented food brand based on the coast of Anglesey. Specialising in small-batch sauerkraut made using seasonal British produce, Bwblin is now expanding into other fermented favourites, including kimchi and miso, all handmade with ingredients sourced as local as possible. After launching the business in September 2024, Anna quickly outgrew her home kitchen. The Start Up Loan allowed her to invest…

Leading UK recruitment company Acorn by Synergie is proud to announce a renewed five-year contract with long-standing partner Vale, one of the world’s largest nickel producers. This new contract maintains the successful 10-year collaboration between Vale and Acorn by Synergie that has seen 95 contract positions filled to date – 24 of which have now become permanent roles. Vale has over 120 years of production history and continues to play a key role in South Wales’ engineering and manufacturing sectors. The extended partnership with Acorn reinforces Vale’s commitment to attracting and retaining top-tier talent across its diverse operational functions. Acorn…

Businesses in North Wales are being urged to stay alert following a sharp rise in cybercrime including a £1.3 million theft from one company. According to North Wales Police, online crime now surpasses street crime, with ransomware attacks – where hackers encrypt files and demand hefty payments to unlock them – also on the increase That will be the key message from Detective Constable Roheryn Evans of the force’s Cyber Crime Team, when he addresses the next meeting of Wrexham Business Professionals at Hotel Wrexham on Thursday, September 11. As part of his talk, DC Evans will outline the growing…

Today the Government has confirmed that six new electric vehicles, including two Ford models with the maximum £3,750 discount, are now eligible under the Electric Car Grant (ECG) scheme. A total of 28 models are now on the list for grants of either £3,750 or £1,500. The latest additions form part of the government’s £650 million plan to put money back in people’s pockets and make it cheaper and easier than ever before to own an EV. The plans hope boost the UK’s automotive industry, a key sector identified in the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy, which supports 133,000 jobs in…

A man from Neath Port Talbot has been sentenced after carrying out two arson attacks earlier this year. 18-year-old Josh Smith, from Waunceirch, committed the offences when aged 17. On January 4, he set fire to clothing belonging to his ex-partner, filming the act and later sharing it to Instagram. Two days later, Smith deliberately started a fire in the toilets of the Somerset Arms, Commercial Road, Taibach. After pleading guilty to both offences, Smith has been made subject of a five-year restraining order against the victim and has been sentenced to 16 months in a Young Offenders Institution. Smith…

An ambitious regeneration project which is set to transform the former Ewenny Road industrial estate in Maesteg with new homes, shops and community facilities has moved a step closer. Contracts have been exchanged between Bridgend County Borough Council and Avant Homes for the purchase of land at the derelict site which will be used to build up to 200 new houses on behalf of Bridgend-based housing association, Valleys To Coast. Supported by law firm Hugh James, the £41.8m scheme will be the housing association’s largest development undertaken to date and aims to provide a mix of low-cost home ownership properties,…