Category Archives: Development

Innovation Investment Capital announces multimillion-pound investment in Transcend Packaging

Innovation Investment Capital Limited Partnership (IIC), the Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) backed fund, has today announced a multimillion-pound investment into Transcend Packaging (‘Transcend’), the Ystrad Mynach headquartered sustainable packaging company. This investment round has been supplemented by additional equity from significant global corporations, including ITOCHU Corporation, one of Japan’s largest companies and a leading provider of pulp and paper products, providing further investment to the overall region.

 

Transcend is a leading innovator of environmental packaging solutions across the food service and beverage sectors. It supports a new sustainable manufacturing landscape, driven by improved recyclability and reusability legislation and net zero targets, with 290 employees, across three locations. Since launching in 2017, Transcend has successfully innovated and disrupted the traditional packaging sector, recently developing a first to market premium polyethylene-free cup, highlighting its significant ESG credentials.

 

IIC’s decision to invest was based on a variety of factors, but the commitment to expand its R&D facilities, production innovation with impressive intellectual property, strong experienced management team and blue-chip customer base all supported the decision.

 

Launched in November 2022 and backed by UK Government funds with an initial £50 million from CCR, the fund is looking to invest long-term capital in innovative, sustainable growth opportunities across the ten unitary authorities in the CCR. Capricorn Fund Managers (CFM) is the Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM), responsible for managing the fund and the overall portfolio and risk management, with PwC supporting CFM in advisory matters, including investment research and sourcing. The Transcend investment is IIC’s third investment, following on from AMPLYFI (the Cardiff-based generative artificial intelligence business) and Mazuma (a Bridgend-based tech enabled accountancy platform).

 

Councillor Mary Ann Brocklesby, Chair, Cardiff Capital Region, commented: “Transcend is an exceptional local growth story that we are looking to help scale to even greater heights. Our investment, alongside other investors, will help encourage further growth and development in Ystrad Mynach and the broader Caerphilly region.”

 

Lorenzo Angelucci, Transcend CEO, added: “We are thrilled to receive this substantial investment from IIC, which underscores the confidence in our vision and strategy but also empowers us to accelerate our innovation and expand our R&D capabilities. With the support of IIC and our new investors, we will continue our disruptive journey in the sustainable packaging industry, furthering our commitment to environmental stewardship and economic growth in the Cardiff Capital Region.”

 

“In only seven years, Transcend has built one of the most innovative and sustainable packaging businesses globally. Its growth to date and future commercial partnerships positions it impressively for further growth”, said Rob Asplin, PwC Partner. “Sustainable packaging is a fast growth market and highlights the desire of the fund to support net zero propositions.”

 

Councillor Sean Morgan, Leader of Caerphilly Council, further added: “We’re delighted to have such a success story on our doorstep, bringing real economic benefits and social value to Caerphilly and beyond.  Transcend Packaging’s success is based on innovation and sustainability and the solutions they are developing here in Caerphilly will benefit the environment and communities in many countries.”

 

“Our Transcend investment fulfils much of the IIC investment criteria, not only by investing in innovative sustainability solutions, but also backing an exciting local business to scale up and encourage other international players to invest in the CCR. The benefits to Ystrad Mynach and the wider region will be felt for years to come,” concluded Lynda Stoelker, Capricorn Fund Managers’ COO and Chair of the IIC Investment Committee.

 

For further information on the Innovation Investment Capital visit http://www.innovationinvestmentcapital.com.

Pontypridd United announce ownership investment from GS Verde

 

Ambitious Welsh Premier League football club Pontypridd United have announced a co-ownership investment from dealmaking business GS Verde Group.

The investment, which sees GS Verde’s Chief Commercial Officer, David Dulieu, join as Board Director and Ambassador, supports the club’s determination to become a sporting and community force and realise its ambition to achieve qualification to a UEFA European Football competition.

Paul Ragan, Chairman of Pontypridd United, said “It’s a true testament of the progress the club has made over the past few seasons; where we are now able to attract the kind of quality we have to the board in David and others. It’s also a real boost to the Pontypridd United Business Club, with GS Verde becoming one of our latest commercial partners.

It’s about supporting the local community, enjoying the journey, making friends, and doing business, and in simple terms that’s why we are attracting so much commercial interest at Pontypridd United.”

GS Verde joins the club as the 8th co-owner, alongside entrepreneurs such as Paul Ragan (Chairman) and Matthew Epps (Vice Chairman) amongst several others.

Ragan continued, “With significant investment expected in Welsh Domestic Football over the next 5 years, this is a great time for both existing and aspiring ‘Ryan Reynolds’ to get involved. As a club, we are building a model based on 20 equal owners, who we refer to as Ambassadors. It was important to the Board that we considered longevity in our model and recognise we have a significant role to play throughout the Pontypridd Community. We boast a thriving grassroots section, a strong UEFA ‘Cat B’ rated Academy, and two very ambitious Men’s and Women’s Premiership teams”.

GS Verde Group is an M&A dealmaking group supporting businesses through transactions such as business sales, acquisitions, and raising investment. The Group have previously worked with a number of the entrepreneurs involved in Pontypridd United, including the recent announcement of GS Verde supporting UPVC Direct on their acquisition of Principality Plastics.

David Dulieu, CCO and Board Director of GS Verde said: “We have had a great relationship with many of the business leaders involved in Pontypridd United for several years, and so we know the calibre of those involved. When the opportunity arose, we were delighted to support the club.”

Pontypridd United prides itself on being much more than a football club. With a focus on developing teams of all age groups and genders, and supporting local businesses and charities, the Club puts the local community at the heart of its motivation.

David concluded: “Living in Pontypridd, I know first-hand the impact the Club is having on our local community, with an excellent structure across all age groups. We are excited to join the club and play a part in helping the club achieve its European football ambitions and become recognised as Wales’s number 1 domestic club one day!”

How to Start a Personal Training Business

Are you passionate about fitness and eager to help others achieve their health goals? If so, starting a personal training business might be the perfect career path for you. In this article, we will explore the step-by-step process of becoming a personal trainer and building your own fitness business. Our focus will be on Create PT, a leading provider of online personal training qualification courses. With their extensive expertise and a range of certifications, Create PT offers aspiring trainers the tools they need to succeed in the dynamic world of fitness. Let’s delve into the journey of becoming a certified personal trainer and turning your passion into a rewarding profession.

The Path to Becoming a Qualified Personal Trainer

Embarking on a career in personal training requires a strong foundation of knowledge and skills. Create PT stands out as a trusted resource for those seeking to gain personal training qualifications. Their Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing serves as a fundamental starting point for beginners. This course equips individuals with essential knowledge in fitness instruction and gym operations, providing a valuable introduction to the world of fitness training.

Once you have established a solid base with the Level 2 qualification, it’s time to take it a step further with the Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training. This comprehensive course delves deeper into anatomy, exercise programming, nutrition, and client assessment. By completing the Level 3 course, aspiring personal trainers gain the expertise needed to design tailored workout programmes, offer nutritional advice, and effectively guide clients toward their fitness goals.

For those looking to optimise their training and qualifications, Create PT offers the option to combine Level 2 and Level 3 Diplomas. This combined approach streamlines the learning process, allowing candidates to acquire a broader skill set in a shorter time frame. The combined diploma not only boosts your credibility but also demonstrates your commitment to excellence in personal training.

Expanding Your Skill Set with Sports Massage

As a qualified personal trainer, you have the opportunity to further enhance your services and expand your client base by adding sports massage to your skill set. Create PT’s Level 3 Diploma in Sports Massage equips you with the knowledge and hands-on techniques required to address muscle tension, aid in injury recovery, and improve athletic performance.

Sports massage is a sought-after speciality within the fitness industry, especially among athletes and fitness enthusiasts. By offering sports massage alongside your personal training services, you position yourself as a comprehensive health and wellness expert. This additional qualification not only diversifies your offerings but also provides a competitive edge in the market.

The Convenience of Online Personal Trainer Courses

Gone are the days of traditional classroom learning – online personal trainer courses have become increasingly popular due to their flexibility and convenience. Create PT’s online courses allow aspiring trainers to study at their own pace and from the comfort of their homes, making it feasible for those with busy schedules or geographical limitations.

With online personal training courses, you can access high-quality educational materials, instructional videos, and interactive assessments. Create PT ensures that their online courses maintain the same standards as their in-person counterparts, providing a seamless and immersive learning experience.

Embarking on the journey to become a qualified personal trainer has never been more accessible, thanks to Create PT’s online personal training qualification courses. Whether you are just starting in the fitness industry or looking to expand your skill set, Create PT’s Level 2, Level 3, and combined diploma courses offer the expertise and credibility needed to thrive in this competitive field. Additionally, their Level 3 Diploma in Sports Massage provides an excellent opportunity to diversify your services and cater to a broader clientele. Embrace the convenience of online learning and take the first step toward building your successful personal training business.

WSO2 is Named a Leader in Two G2 Summer 2022 Grid Reports

WSO2 API Manager is a Leader in the Summer 2022 G2 Grid Report for API Management; WSO2 Identity Server is a Leader in the Summer 2022 G2 Grid Report for Identity and Access Management

London, UK – 29th June, 2022 – WSO2, a leader in digital transformation technology, today announced that two of its products have been recognised as leaders by G2, the world’s largest and most trusted software marketplace. WSO2 API Manager has been named a Leader in the Summer 2022 G2 Grid Report for API Management while WSO2 Identity Server has been named a Leader in the Summer 2022 G2 Grid Report for Identity and Access Management (IAM).

Products in the Leader quadrant have high satisfaction ratings from G2 users, as well as a substantial market presence. Among users who reviewed either WSO2 API Manager or WSO2 Identity Server, 100% rated the products four or five stars. Additionally, 100% of users believe WSO2 Identity Server is headed in the right direction, and 97% of users say WSO2 API Manager is headed in the right direction.

Collectively, WSO2’s products also earned several badges from G2. In the Summer 2022 G2 Grid Report for API Management, WSO2 API Manager received the Best Support badge, which is awarded to one vendor for “the highest Quality of Support rating in its category.” Other badges earned by WSO2 API Manager in the report include Overall Leader, Leader – Enterprise, High Performer – Mid-market, and Users Love Us. In the Summer 2022 G2 Grid Report for Identity and Access Management, WSO2 Identity Server received both the Easiest Setup badge in the Implementation Index and the Best Meets Requirements badge in the Usability Index.

“We recognise that our success at WSO2 is closely tied to our customers’ success in implementing their digital initiatives,” said Devaka Randeniya, WSO2 chief revenue officer. “The G2 Grid rankings, which rely on user reviews, provide critical validation of how our software and services are meeting enterprises’ real-world demands. So, we are excited by the strong performance of both WSO2 API Manager and WSO2 Identity Server in the newly released G2 Grid Reports.”

WSO2 API Manager for API Management

WSO2 API Manager provides full lifecycle API management that helps organisations to accelerate API development and reuse across legacy, cloud native, and event-driven architectures. With WSO2 API Manager, enterprises have a complete open-source solution for designing, developing, publishing, managing, monetising and analysing different APIs. Additionally, developers can create APIs by integrating other APIs and services. WSO2 API Manager runs on-premises, in the cloud, and in hybrid environments. More than 20 trillion transactions run through WSO2 API Manager each year.

WSO2 Identity Server for IAM and CIAM

WSO2 Identity Server is part of WSO2’s customer IAM (CIAM) platform, a world-class, developer-focused framework that simplifies creation of unique, compelling digital customer experiences (CX). With powerful developer tools, documentation and code samples, WSO2 handles identity, security and compliance requirements so developers can focus on what adds the most value to their CX projects—an engaging, low-friction digital customer experience that moves the needle. WSO2’s open-source CIAM platform manages over 1 billion identities annually across a range of industries.