Bridgend-based software provider AgentPro, who make specialist software for estate agents and lettings companies, are celebrating after the market leader in property repair and maintenance software, Fixflo, cited them among the best estate agent software providers in the UK.

The company recently celebrated their 10th anniversary and have seen enquiries double and a substantial increase in revenue over recent months, with new jobs being created and exciting new developments in the pipeline.

Fixflo explained their reason to include AgentPro in their prestigious list:

“AgentPro helps property professionals to manage issues with ease. From processing properties from valuation to completion to looking after all aspects of property maintenance, this clever all-in-one software monitors all aspects of a lettings and estate agency; in one efficient place.”

Gareth John, Managing Director of AgentPro said:

“We were delighted with the inclusion. Fixflo are a trusted brand in the industry.  We work with them alongside many other estate agent software providers, so to be recognised by them as one of the best providers in the UK is really encouraging.  2017 was an incredible year for AgentPro, and 2018 is already very promising.  With lots of new software features already in development and testing, which are set to revolutionise the way estate agents work, we’re expecting 2018 to be our best year yet.”

The Welsh government has announced plans to support young welsh farmers with a new scheme designed to develop leadership skills and breathe fresh air into the Welsh agricultural industry.

At present, research shows an ageing agricultural workforce – the average owner of a farm holding in Wales is over 60 years old and just 3% are under 35.

The government has made £6m available to fund the Young People into Agriculture scheme, which alongside the opportunity to benefit from start up grants, aims to help young farmers develop their leadership skills and prepare their businesses for life outside of the EU.

Applications for grants will open in April and will be awarded to “high achieving individuals looking to establish a new business or to develop an existing one”.  The Grants are open to entrepreneurs under 40 years on 1 April who are looking to establish a new business or develop an existing one, and applicants will be required to demonstrate their ability to lead a dynamic business and drive change in the agricultural industry.

Funds can be used as working capital and will be paid in three instalments up until 31 March 2020, and after initial scoring against agreed criteria, applicants will need to meet agreed key performance indicators (KPIs).

Alongside the new scheme, the Welsh Government also announced a new forum which would give young welsh farmers direct access to the Government Ministers responsible for making policy decisions in Wales.

The scheme and forum were announced at the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) annual farmhouse breakfast in Cardiff Bay.

Rural Affairs Secretary Lesley Griffiths explained that supporting young farmers has to be a key priority for the Welsh Government.  She said:

“We need to be prepared for the challenges as we transition from the EU.  The impact on our farmers is likely to be greater than for many other sectors.  We must do all we can to build resilience and ensure we create an environment where business can prosper and individuals develop to become leaders of the industry.”

Glyn Roberts, FUW president, welcomed the announcement, saying:

“We need youngsters – they bring innovation, new ideas and energy into the industry – and in the context of Brexit and the changes to come, it is the younger generation that will be more willing to change and look at the opportunities.”

Swansea Agricultural Valuer, Dylan Williams of Rees Richards, Swansea said the news would give welsh farming a fantastic advantage beyond Brexit:

“Like most within the farming community, we really welcome the new initiatives, particularly for start-ups in what is an ageing industry.  Although there are a number of opportunities available across Wales, the reason we see so few young people creating new agricultural businesses is largely down to the start-up costs.  We have a number of agricultural premises for sale, but for a farm worker who in some instances are on minimum wage, finding premises and obtaining funding for even a modest holding are major hurdles.  This means many talented young farmers leave the industry in search of higher wages – and their entrepreneurial skills go with them.  The new scheme will support the brightest and best young talent in the industry and will hopefully give Welsh farming a fantastic advantage beyond Brexit.”

The shortlist for the FSB Wales’ ‘Celebrating Small Business Awards 2018’ competition has been announced with firms across Wales competing for the awards at this years’ ceremony.

The finals of the FSB Wales contest will be held on February 6 in Cardiff at an event aimed at being a celebration of the thousands of small businesses that play such a vital part in making Wales such a vibrant place to live, work, study and visit.

The full shortlist for the Wales FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards 2018 is:

Janet Jones, FSB Wales Policy Unit Chair, said:

“I’m thrilled to see the sheer excellence and diversity in the pool of finalists for the FSB Awards.  Small businesses are an integral part of communities across Wales. Small businesses hire local staff, spend their money locally and are the reason that we can be so proud of Wales’ vibrant business culture.  I look forward to celebrating the contribution of these fantastic businesses with our finalists and winners on 6^th February.”

The FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards recognise and celebrate the most outstanding smaller businesses, a sector that makes an overwhelming contribution to Wales’ economy and culture.

Tickets for the Wales final, held at Holland House Hotel in Cardiff on Tuesday, February 6, can be purchased by registering on www.fsbawards.co.uk

As ‘flu cases are rising in the UK, employers and their staff could seek protection from a surprising source.

Humidification specialist, Condair, the world’s leading specialist in humidification and evaporative cooling, is launching a “Humidity Fights Flu” campaign to promote awareness that an indoor humidity level of 40-60%RH is very beneficial in combating airborne influenza infections.

Tim Scott, head of sales at Condair plc, comments,

“There is overwhelming scientific evidence that person-to-person airborne flu infections are reduced when indoor humidity is maintained at 40-60%RH. Yet there is still no legislative requirement for public places or healthcare facilities to manage their humidity levels appropriately and take advantage of this effective weapon in the fight against seasonal flu.”

Tim continues:

“The building services sector should not just accept this as an inevitable blight on our society every winter and ought to be doing more to address the spread of seasonal influenza through humidity control. Without humidification most indoor environments will drop below 40%RH for a substantial duration during the winter. It is in this dry danger zone that infectious airborne flu germs survive for many hours. It has been proven that maintaining a room’s air at above 40%RH results in the airborne flu virus becoming deactivated five times faster, which results in a significant reduction in cross-infections, less absenteeism and improved occupant health.”

As part of its Humidity Fights Flu campaign, Condair has published the summaries of 24 scientific studies on its website, which show the effect humidity has on health. The research on www.condair.co.uk/fighting-flu shows three humidity-related processes that inhibit the spread of airborne respiratory infections.

• Firstly, when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs-out infectious particles, fewer of them remain airborne if the air is above 40%RH.
• Secondly, at 40-60%RH those remaining infectious airborne germs are rapidly deactivated due to chemical reactions with the salts and proteins contained within their host airborne droplet.
• Lastly, the studies show that our respiratory system’s defence against airborne infection operates significantly better at between 40-60%RH.

Seasonal flu peaks when indoor humidity levels are at their lowest. Indoor environments where people are forced together for prolonged periods, like schools and educational establishments, offices and healthcare facilities are core battlegrounds in the spread of seasonal infections. This is particularly true of hospitals and GP surgeries where infected individuals are brought into close proximity with susceptible individuals.

A sharp rise in the cases of flu seen by GPs across England in the early weeks of 2018 suggest it could be the worst flu season for seven years. Nearly 22,000 people went to their GP with flu in the first week of 2018, according to the Royal College of GPs, and around 5,000 people were admitted to hospital, based on Public Health England figures for 22 out of 137 trusts. Similar trends have been seen in Scotland and Wales, with just over half of circulating strains believed to be the H3N2 strain known as “Aussie flu”, after problems the virus caused in Australia’s last winter.

Tim Scott, continues,

“Even putting aside the building services sector’s moral obligation to protect the health of its buildings’ occupants, humidity control for health makes obvious financial sense. Staff costs typically account for 90% of business expenditure and respiratory infections are the primary cause of short term absenteeism. Combine this cost to the business economy with the financial burden seasonal flu has on our health service and the cost of humidity control as a preventative measure in offices, educational and healthcare facilities pales into insignificance.”

Alongside the promotion of the scientific research, Condair’s Humidity Fights Flu campaign will see free desktop hygrometers being offered (via www.condair.co.uk/fighting-flu) to people working in offices, education and healthcare, so that they can monitor their indoor humidity levels and report their results to Condair. A similar recent survey of over 290 building services’ consultant and contractor offices across the UK and Ireland, carried out by Condair in 2017, saw that some offices were as low as 20%RH. The average office humidity of those charged with maintaining the nation’s indoor environment was just 38%RH, which is below its own minimum recommended level of 40%RH.

Young Carers’ Awareness Day (on 25 January this year) marks a day when this often forgotten group get recognition, but RedArc wants employers and insurers to ensure they are not overlooked once they reach the workplace.

Young carers can have roles throughout the workplace, including apprenticeships, traineeships or full time employment. Having supported employed carers for over two decades, RedArc knows that they need very specific help to take account of their mental as well as their physical health.

Christine Husbands, managing director, RedArc says: “Typically, this group will have specific issues for which they will need support if they are to remain in employment. In particular, those who have been carers for some of their childhood and teen years may be more affected than those who have taken on caring responsibilities when older.

“Importantly, there are great support services available now, and so there is no need for employers to have any concerns about employing this group. In fact, as a whole, they tend to be mature beyond their years, have some really useful skill sets, such as interpersonal skills and organisational abilities that may not be present in other young employees, and from which many organisations could benefit.”

However, if left unchecked, young carers may develop the following issues:
• Feeling isolated and withdrawn
• Anxiety and depression
• Fatigue
• Low confidence and self-esteem
• Lack of social skills (especially if they had a caring role throughout their teens)
• Propensity for absence due to their own ill-health or loved one’s illness

Husbands continued: “Having so much responsibility from a young age may make young carers less inclined to seek support – simply from a time constraint point of view and also because they don’t know any different – this is their norm.

“We’d like to see more insurers enhance their policies to support carers, and for employers to offer more support – either directly or via protection products such as Group Risk and Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs). With such a heavy burden, young carers are particularly susceptible to mental health issues, and getting early intervention can be vital here – both for the carer and for the individual being cared for.”

For example, an EAP or insurance product with carer-specific support might offer the following – (even when no claim has been made):

• Confidential telephone support – someone that the young carer can trust
• Training and support for the employer on caring issues and for line managers
• Support in how to access additional training that might be needed – especially if the carer missed out on a their education e.g. literacy, social skills
• Assistance to navigate the NHS, social services and charities/support groups
• Advice on how to discuss needing time off work to attend medical appointments with a loved one
• Advice on home adaptations and technology for independent living for their loved one
• Financial support for personal development e.g. professional qualifications, home study
• Legal support

Husbands concluded: “Caring can lead to poverty if an individual has to give up work, but helping someone stay in employment is not only good for their financial wellbeing it also provides a crucial break from their care-giving responsibilities. Employers who support young carers at difficult times often find themselves repaid with years of commitment and dedication, and with more support available than ever, it is becoming increasingly easy to welcome carers in to the workplace.”

Specsavers Corporate Eyecare is proud to announce that household name, Fujitsu, is benefiting from its trusted eyecare services.

Part of the Japanese multinational information technology equipment and services company, Fujitsu employs over 10,000 people in the UK. Fujitsu benefits manager, UK and Ireland, Lorna Hawkes said: ‘Ensuring high-quality eyecare for this many people could prove an issue but the online management system offered by Specsavers Corporate Eyecare makes workplace eyecare straightforward and easy to administer. The national coverage by its many stores and excellent reputation for service made Specsavers the obvious choice.’

All Fujitsu employees in the UK who are classed as Display Screen users under the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Act are being provided with eVouchers for DSE eyecare. The benefits department merely needs to email the eVouchers to the correct recipients, who then make their own appointment directly with Specsavers. Employees may print their eVoucher or present it on their smart phone at the time of their appointment. Their DSE eyecare will then be taken care of, with the optician performing a full eye examination. Anyone requiring glasses, solely for DSE work, will be provided with these as part of the eVoucher deal.

‘There are many other deals and options that our employees are able to take up alongside their DSE eyecare,’ continued Lorna Hawkes. ‘This transforms the obligatory health and safety provision into a tangible employee benefit.’

Leonie Caul, corporate account manager at Specsavers Corporate Eyecare, explained: ‘The DSE eVoucher costs the employer £17 per person and can be used to provide the employee with not only the full eye examination but also DSE glasses from the £45 range, if required. Anyone not requiring DSE glasses can use the eVoucher as a contribution towards higher-priced glasses, including designer frames. They can also make use of our standard two for one offer and are given a £20 Premium Club eVoucher on top. This means that an employee could purchase two pairs of designer frames for just £35 of their own money, as well as getting the vital eye examination. We even offer Premium Club eVouchers, worth £20, to friends and family as well. Those who do require DSE glasses can choose from the standard range at no cost to themselves, or they too can use the other deals to upgrade.’

Specsavers Corporate Eyecare won the work with Fujitsu via the tender process and is contracted to provide DSE eyecare for three years.

Nicola Priestley has ditched a high flying career in law to bounce around the world – after swapping her desk for a trampoline.

In a move which has seen her halve her working hours and double her income by becoming a Boogie Bounce instructor – Nicola couldn’t be happier.

For as long as she could remember, her ambition was to become a lawyer. However, Nicola, now 25, of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, quickly discovered that the reality didn’t quite match the dream…

Not only did she hate sitting in an office day in, day out – but the talented dancer also missed the joy, exhilaration and rush of ‘happy hormones’ that an active lifestyle had always given her. “I felt like I’d lost a part of myself,” she says.

The final straw came when she was refused time off for a Christmas trip to New York in 2015.

“It suddenly struck me that life was too short to be stuck at a desk sorting out boundary disputes,” she says. “There was a big world out there and I wanted to see it.”

After booking her flights she promptly handed in her resignation. “I felt like the weight of the world had been lifted from my shoulders,” she recalls.

Returning from her trip to the Big Apple, Nicola set to work creating her new career.

Two years on, she has halved her working hours, more than doubled her income, and has just returned from her eighth holiday in 12 months.

The secret? Boogie Bounce – an exercise class that involves bouncing to music on a mini trampoline. “I absolutely adore teaching people to bounce – and never think of it as work,” she says. “Because there is no stress on the body anyone can do it; it boosts mood and metabolism and transforms lives.”

Nicola’s love for dance and fitness came about almost by accident: “I was 13 when I enrolled in a weekly street dance class – so was quite a late starter.

“When my teacher took me to one side, and said I should do other classes, I didn’t take her seriously. In fact, I only took up ballet, tap and jazz dancing as she challenged me to give them a go.”

Nicola began helping out by teaching pupils at evenings and weekends. “But I was completely focused on my law studies. I was the first person in Hillsborough College to score 100 per cent in a criminal law A’level,” she adds, proudly.

At 18, Nicola secured a job in civil litigation which would enable her to study the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives course at night school. “I worked so hard and was so relieved to gain associate status but my heart just wasn’t in it. I remember thinking ‘something’s not right. I’m just not happy’.”

“Being turned down for holiday leave made me revalue my life. I realised I was happiest when I was both dancing and teaching others how to dance.”

After her New York trip, Nicola became a freelance dance teacher. “But I was on a meagre salary and really struggling financially,” she says. “I had to do something else – but what?”

While browsing Facebook Nicola stumbled across a video of a Boogie Bounce class – which involves exercising to music on mini trampolines with bespoke handles.

“It was the first rebounding class to launch in the UK more than 20 years ago – and looked amazing. I knew instinctively that this was what I was meant to do, and signed up for the next training course,” she says.

Qualifying and launching three Boogie Bounce classes across Sheffield gave Nicola the confidence to launch her own dance academy – and she now runs both companies simultaneously.

Best of all, she has an enviable work/life balance.

Since becoming a Boogie Bounce instructor 18 months ago (June 2016) she has clocked up a staggering TEN holidays.

Here’s how her holiday calendar adds up:

July 2016 – one week in Kos, Greece

October 2016 – weekend in Barcelona, Spain

February 2017 – five days in Rekyavik, Iceland

April 2017 – one week in Marbella, Spain

Early July 2017 – four days in Portugal

Late July 2017 – four days in Rome

August 2017 – long weekend in Paris

September 2017 – four days in Madrid, Spain

October 2017 – long weekend in Dublin

And on Christmas Day 2017 she jetted off to Thailand for a fortnight in the sun.

“I’ve never been better off – and happier,” she says. “In the village of Stockbridge where I live they call me the Boogie Bounce lady! The men say their wives couldn’t cope without me.

“My clients are amazing and feel like family to me. The best thing is being my own boss and having control over my own time and working hours. I have three shadow instructors who step in if I want a day or weekend off.”

Nicola now has a starring role with Boogie Bounce featuring in their promotional videos. She also plans to become a Master Trainer – running courses for instructors all over the world.

And Nicola’s message to anyone out there envious of her lifestyle? “You can do it too,” she urges. “Don’t settle for a job you think you ought to do – do what really makes you happy. It’s true what they say; find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.”

For information on Boogie Bounce and becoming an instructor log onto www.boogiebounce.com

TUI, the world’s largest travel company, has announced plans to create 175 new jobs in Swansea with the support of a Welsh Government Business Finance grant of £525,000.

The company’s Swansea-based customer services centre has already grown from 48 people to over 280 over the last three years. The support will both secure existing customer services jobs within the UK, and support further growth of the company’s successful operations here in Wales.

As the world’s leading tourism business, TUI understands it has a real opportunity to shape the future of sustainable tourism.

In 2015 TUI launched their ambitious ‘Better Holidays, Better World’ strategy. The strategy focuses on reducing the environmental impact of holidays, creating positive change for people and communities and pioneering sustainable tourism.

By 2020 TUI aims to be the most carbon-efficient airline in Europe as well as delivering 10 million ‘greener and fairer holidays’ enabling more local people to share in the benefits of tourism.

The company has begun recruitment, seeking advisers to help customers in their choice of flights, holidays, hotels and increasingly, cruises. TUI’s commitment to training and development means TUI staff will be supported in an exciting and rewarding career, giving them real opportunities to progress.

Economy Secretary Ken Skates said:

“I am delighted that with Welsh Government support TUI is creating 175 new jobs in Wales. The company’s expansion in Swansea is testament to our reputation for delivering excellence in customer service.

“Our growing and vibrant customer service sector now employs in excess of 30,000 people in over 200 centres across Wales.

“Also, TUI’s commitment to sustainability reflects our commitments in our new Economic Action Plan, which has the principles of growth, fair work and decarbonisation at its heart.”

Helen Caron, Director for Distribution and Cruise for TUI UK & Ireland said:

“We opened our Alexandra House Office in Swansea which is home to our contact centre team in 2015 and it’s continued to go from strength to strength. We are really grateful for the support of the Welsh Government as we look to further grow our office in Swansea. This came out of extensive research, consideration and discussion about the future of our business and ensuring we can best serve and communicate with our customers as we move forwards.”

Finance North, the specialist protection adviser based in Cheshire, has today announced its partnership with RedArc in order for its clients to benefit from the practical advice and emotional support provided by the company’s nurse advisers. The service will be available at no additional cost to individual and business protection clients who don’t already have RedArc services built in to their selected policies.

The importance of support beyond financial is well known to owner-manager Mark Roberts. He experienced the benefits of RedArc support first hand when his wife died in 2010: Mark’s wife received both medical and emotional support whilst she was undergoing treatment.

Having taken time out of the business to run a £1m appeal for the hospital she was treated at, and set up a national cancer charity (for which he was awarded a British Empire Medal by Her Majesty The Queen), he wanted to remove barriers that would prevent other people from receiving the support which he found so invaluable.

The agreement between Finance North and RedArc begins on 1 December 2017. Around 70 per cent of Finance North’s business is currently individual, 5 per cent business and 20 per cent group but the company is aiming to specifically grow the number of group and business protection clients, believing that many SMEs are under-insured or uninsured.

Mark Roberts, Owner, Finance North said:

“Unfortunately I’ve had first-hand experience of a claim and being a specialist protection adviser means that I can help others understand how difficult it can be to cope when you or a loved one is diagnosed with a serious illness. Most people think it won’t happen to them but the statistics for some illnesses such as cancer and diabetes show a different story. Having a professional medical expert on standby to help navigate the NHS, understand diagnoses & treatment options, as well as provide every-day practical advice and emotional guidance is just as important as the financial support.”

Christine Husbands, MD, RedArc said:

“We’re proud to be part of the legacy that Mark and Finance North are creating. Protection insurances and their inherent benefits are often considered as unnecessary or exclusive for many individuals and it’s a breath of fresh air for a company to be really tackling this lack of understanding with its clients so directly. They really are putting their money where their mouth is.”

Mark previously spent 14 years with Barclays, and 7 years in wealth management before Finance North was founded in 2008. The company also offers a free basic Will writing service to all individual protection clients and will donate £15 to Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal deaths charity for every for every family protection policy the company writes in 2018.