Author: Rhys Gregory

Equity investment across Wales and the wider UK faced another challenging year in 2024, according to the latest British Business Bank annual Small Business Equity Tracker published today. UK-wide there were declines in both deal numbers and investment values, however, Wales stood out as one of only five UK Nations and regions to experience growth in equity deal numbers, recording a 7.2% increase compared to 2023, demonstrating resilience amid a more cautious investment climate. This contrasts with the broader UK market, which saw a 15.1% drop in equity deal activity. Despite the increase in deal numbers, the total value of…

The majority of Welsh firms believe AI adoption will be a key growth driver in the country’s economy, according to Lloyds’ Business Barometer, as many report AI-related increases in productivity and profitability. More than three in five (63%) Welsh businesses believe greater AI adoption will be a major driver of local economic growth. Of the 61% of the country’s businesses already using AI, 81% say it has increased their productivity, while 80% say it has improved their profitability. Firms are most commonly using AI platforms to improve efficiency (71%) or to analyse data and make better-informed decisions (36%). Looking ahead,…

Swansea Building Society has expanded its frontline team across its branch network and head office, following the announcement of a fourth consecutive year of record-breaking results. The Society has welcomed nine new team members across a variety of roles in recent months, reinforcing its commitment to delivering exceptional personal service while continuing to grow and invest in its future. Among the recent appointments are Callum Curtis, who joins as Financial Risk Manager; Conor Harrison and Daniel Clifford, both taking on Mortgage Administrator roles at the Society’s head office; and Jaimee Walters, who has joined as a Manager’s Assistant, also based…

A groundbreaking scheme that encourages people to take control of their health through recovery, self-care and preventative support has won Best Collaboration Initiative at the 2025 WSA Sports Industry Awards. Operating under the Better brand, GLL is the staff-owned, not-for-profit charitable social enterprise that runs Cardiff leisure centres on behalf of the city council. Working in close partnership with NHS Wales, GLL has co-designed water-based, physical activity programmes that focus on health. They are believed to be the first of their kind in Wales, and possibly the UK. To date, the joint NHS/GLL initiative has supported over 3,000 individuals, many of whom…

A new report from The Open University reveals a growing disconnect between Welsh employers and the next generation of workers — one that could be preventing employers from addressing the country’s persistent skills shortages. The ‘Business Barometer: Skills for today and tomorrow: how employers can plan for future skills’, is a survey of over 2,000 UK organisation leaders and 1,000 Gen Z adults. In Wales, 139 organisation leaders and 80 Gen Z adults (under the age of 25) were surveyed and reported that more than half (58%) of organisations are currently experiencing a skills shortage, the highest of all UK…

With one month to go until the British & Irish Para Badminton International in Cardiff, Welsh athlete Jack Wilson is preparing to take centre stage – not just to win, but to inspire. Jack Wilson (age 30) from Wrexham, who competes in the SU5 category for athletes with upper limb impairments, has become a powerful voice in para sport. He is currently the only Welsh athlete on the GB para-badminton programme, and he will be one of seven GB athletes taking part in the British & Irish Para Badminton International in Cardiff this July. Wilson, who also studied and lived in Cardiff,…

The Welsh Government (WG) has reinforced its commitment to protecting Welsh livestock from Bluetongue, a serious viral disease, with new disease control measures coming into effect in time for 1 July. To date, Wales has successfully kept Bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) from circulating locally and remains BTV-3 free. Recognising the introduction of the England-wide Bluetongue Restricted Zone (RZ) from 1 July, WG is implementing updated movement controls to safeguard Welsh livestock. To ensure Welsh farm businesses are well-informed about this disease, Farming Connect will be hosting a webinar on Monday, 30th of June at 7:30 PM. To register, contact the…

WALES’ First Minister visited a £14m health and wellbeing complex and welcomed plans for a new Welsh language centre at a leading college. Eluned Morgan MS toured the state-of-the-art Nant building at Coleg Cambria Yale in Wrexham, which includes an immersive learning environment and Iâl Spa, an industry-standard facility, complete with sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and health food bar. She also met with students and staff, including Chief Operating Officer Steve Jackson, Victoria Edwards, Vice Principal for Technical Studies, and Director of Welsh Language Development Llinos Roberts, who discussed plans for the college’s new Welsh Language Centre for Excellence, Camu. Construction work…

Cwmbran-based care service organisation, Expanding Horizons, has acquired Enable Care Services (South Wales) Ltd to expand its support service capabilities following a £3.25m funding boost from NatWest. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Expanding Horizons provides a range of personalised support services for individuals living with learning disabilities and severe mental illnesses (SMI’s) so they can lead fulfilling and rewarding lives. A portion of the funding has been used to support the acquisition of Enable Care Services which provides support for residents at three care homes in South Wales, two in Cwmbran and one in Argoed which will now join…

36-year-old Dean Bradley from Neath sexually assaulted his victim over the course of a year. The victim had the strength to disclose the horrific abuse to a family member at the end of last year. After changing his plea from not guilty to guilty Bradley was convicted of 3 counts of Assaulting a child under the age of 13 by penetration and three counts of causing a child under 13 to watch/ look at an image of sexual activity. Bradley was sentenced on Monday June 23, 2025, at Swansea Crown Court to 12 years and 8 months in prison and…