Category Archives: News from Wales

Appointments, Business News, Economy & Jobs News, FInance, Jobs, London, News from Wales

Quantum Advisory promotes Darren Wateridge to Principal Consultant in London

Quantum Advisory, the leading independent financial services consultancy, today announced the promotion of Darren Wateridge FIA to the role of principal consultant. Darren, who is based in the firm’s London office, took up the role on 1 January 2024.

Rhidian Williams, partner, said: “Our people are at the centre of our success as a business and we invest in the highest calibre of staff. Their continued support and development is part of our ethos so promoting talent from within is key.

“Throughout his career at Quantum, Darren’s talent, commitment and client management expertise has been apparent. We are confident he will continue to excel in his new position and play a pivotal role in the continued growth of the company.”

Darren Wateridge added: “The market landscape is the most dynamic and competitive it has ever been, and we welcome that challenge. We have some really exciting plans and initiatives coming up this year to further support our clients.

“It has been a privilege to be part of the evolution of Quantum over the last 10 years and I am very much looking forward to now being integral to the strategic leadership going forward.”

 

Darren joined the firm in 2013 as a senior consultant and actuary and has over 25 years’ experience in the pensions industry.

Darren is currently Scheme Actuary to a number of pension scheme clients and advises trustees and companies on the wide range of issues affecting pension schemes including scheme funding, company accounting, scheme benefit change exercises and de-risking strategies.

Darren is also a member of the Association of Consulting Actuaries.

This is the latest in a string of promotions for the firm, most recently with Simon Hubbard to principal consultant in Cardiff.

For more information on Quantum Advisory, visit www.quantumadvisory.co.uk

Business, Charity Events, Charity News, Events, News from Wales, South Wales, Swansea

Howden official Swansea office opening flanked by rugby star

The official opening of a new Howden office in Swansea was flanked by Welsh rugby legend Tom Shanklin at an event last week, Thursday February 22. 

Howden, the international insurance intermediary group, began trading from the new office in Axis Court, Riverside Business Park, Swansea, last month, with this event marking the official opening of the new location. The office has already welcomed 14 skilled brokers since the beginning of the year, with plans to recruit more talent in the coming months.  

The official opening event saw Tom, who won 70 caps for Wales between 2001 – 2010, share his experiences with Welsh rugby and the British & Irish Lions—an association that aligns with Howden’s headline sponsorship for the upcoming Lion’s tour. 

Guests at the opening event also participated in a raffle in aid of Wales Air Ambulance Charity, with prizes including 4-ball at the Celtic Manor, a £250 Gaucho voucher, and a Fortnum and Mason hamper.  

The creation of an office in Swansea is part of Howden UK & Ireland’s commitment to further strengthen its foothold in the South and West Wales region, providing risk advisory services to businesses. 

On the event, Gary Stevens, Regional Managing Director, said: “Embracing the spirit of Welsh resilience and teamwork, the official opening of our Swansea office alongside rugby icon Tom Shanklin signifies not only our commitment to the region but also our shared values of excellence and community. Just as in rugby, where teamwork and strategy are paramount, at Howden, we are dedicated to working closely with our clients to navigate risks and achieve success together. 

“The swift momentum of our Swansea office speaks volumes, and we’re thrilled to have assembled such a skilled and seasoned team, with more to join in the coming months.” 

 

About Howden  

Howden is a leading global insurance intermediary group with employee ownership at its heart.  Founded in 1994, it operates in 50 countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, the USA, Australia and New Zealand, employing 16,000 people and handling $38bn of premium on behalf of clients. 

  

For more information, please visit www.howdengroupholdings.com 

Accountancy, Appointments, Business, FInance, News from Wales, Wales

Quantum Advisory promotes Simon Hubbard to Principal Consultant in Cardiff

Quantum Advisory, the leading independent financial services consultancy, today announced the promotion of Simon Hubbard to the role of principal consultant. Simon, who is based in the firm’s head office in Cardiff, took up the role from 1 January 2024.

Joanne Eynon, partner, commented: “Our success as a firm depends on the quality of our people and we are pleased to be able to recognise their achievements and support them as their career evolves. This promotion is a demonstration of how we grow our talent from within the firm, and throughout the region.

“Simon has proved himself to be an invaluable member of our team and this promotion is well deserved.”

 

Simon added: “Since joining Quantum I have been pleased to support our clients in all aspects of their journey. I look forward to now also lending my expertise to the strategic leadership of the firm as a whole. We are an ambitious firm with grand plans and to lead the actuarial team in Cardiff will be extremely satisfying.”

Simon joined Quantum in 2016 and sits on Quantum’s risk transfer team, helping to manage client projects and working with major insurers to track market prices and market sentiment.

He has over fifteen years of experience delivering trustee and corporate consulting advice including valuation negotiations, benefit change projects, company pensions accounting and member option exercises.

He is also a member of Quantum’s Defined Benefit Strategy Group and assists with the development of Quantum’s in-house actuarial models.

Simon is currently Scheme Actuary to a number of pension schemes.

For more information on Quantum Advisory, visit www.quantumadvisory.co.uk

Awards, Business, Business News, Industry News, Networking, News from Wales

Final call to enter Wales Business Awards 2024

Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid is encouraging businesses across Wales to submit their entries for the Wales Business Awards 2024, ahead of the forthcoming deadline.

With just a week until the deadline, Thursday 29 February, businesses are now urged to enter to be in with a chance of winning a prestigious accolade.

The Wales Business Awards, organised by the Chamber and sponsored by Jardine Norton, recognise the very best from businesses across Wales.

Chamber members and non-members can submit their entries for free by completing an application form or uploading an audio or video entry.

Paul Butterworth, CEO of Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid, said: “The Wales Business Awards are a brilliant way for businesses to shout about the incredible work they are doing, recognise their teams’ hard work and celebrate their successes in the company of the Welsh business community, ministers and dignitaries.

“We can’t wait to reward the achievements of Welsh businesses in May, which is why we are encouraging firms to get involved now and ensure they have submitted their entries before the deadline.”

There are 11 categories for businesses to enter this year, including: B2B Customer Commitment; B2C Customer Commitment; Digital Business of the Year; Diversity & Inclusion; Employee Engagement; Global Business of the Year; Green Business of the Year; Innovative Business of the Year; SME Exporter of the Year; Workplace Wellbeing; and Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

The Chamber will also be awarding ‘Wales Business of the Year’ at the ceremony on 16 May at The Vale Resort, which sees broadcaster Andrea Byrne return as host.

Entries can be submitted at https://cw-seswm.com/events/awards-2024-enter/ on or before Thursday 29 February.

Apprenticeships, Beauty, Hair and Beauty, News from Wales

How Welsh Salons Can Overcome Recruitment Challenges With Apprenticeships

The Covid-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis are two big factors that salon owners believe are affecting their ability to recruit new staff.

The pandemic meant that salons had to close their doors for months to comply with the laws around social distancing. Now the cost-of-living crisis means some salons are unable to afford to train new staff, and existing employees may be looking for higher-paying jobs outside of the hair and beauty sector.

Donna Bowen-Anderson, Customer Account Manager at ISA, says: “The perception of low-income apprentices is something that is truly a challenge for salon recruitment. It is critical to ensure that learners understand the massive benefit learning a skill in hair, beauty and barbering can have, often leading down the path to becoming higher earners in the future.”

We explore these challenges and explain how apprenticeships can help salons grow their business.

1.    Apprenticeships are an affordable option for learners

 

Removing barriers to apprenticeships can be one of the first steps in widening the appeal to potential learners. Studying at university can be expensive. Many students struggle to find a balance between work and study to support themselves, often finding it difficult to find a suitable job after graduating.

ISA Training (part of Educ8 Training Group) offers a variety of apprenticeships that are fully funded by Welsh Government. As Wales’s leading hair, beauty, and barbering apprenticeship specialist, these courses provide practical lifelong skills, that can act as a foundation to build a truly successful career.

Apprenticeships offer an opportunity for learners to enter employment and earn while they learn. Apprentices can develop new skills without the level of debt typically associated with a university degree, with the opportunity to progress to higher paid job roles.

2.    Apprenticeships support salons with training and recruitment

 

Support outside of the salon is a fantastic way to ensure that apprentices receive a well-rounded education, combining their practical experience with theoretical knowledge.

Qualifications delivered by ISA Training are run by trainer coaches who have a wealth of experience, who are active within the industry and are up to date with hair and beauty trends and techniques. They are dedicated to supporting learners across all aspects of their study, while helping relieve some of the pressures that salon owners face.

Finding candidates with the right technical, creative and customer service skills can be a challenge. With its knowledge of the sector, ISA can support with recruiting apprentices by helping advertise apprenticeship vacancies. They also help employers access funding through Welsh Government’s Employer Incentive Scheme, supporting learners with a disability into employment.

In addition to the support ISA can give salons, Donna Bowen-Anderson advised, “Salon owners need to be proactive in looking for apprentices, think about how and where they engage with their future staff and become a passionate champion for their business and the industry.

And it’s really important to shout about not just the technical skills but the valuable life skills such as teamwork, communication and problem-solving that apprenticeships also offer.”

3.    Apprenticeships can help close skills gaps

 

Hiring an apprentice allows salon owners to not only nurture and develop new talent, but also to address skills gaps that they may have identified within their salon.

ISA apprentices are encouraged to study both hairdressing and barbering to widen opportunities and appeal to a broader clientele. This can allow salons to stand out among their competitors and enhance their reputation, while providing learners more opportunities to develop their skills and train in other areas.

Oli Tracey, Level 3 Hairdressing Apprentice and ISA Ambassador from Slunks salon in Cardiff, said: “My apprenticeship has given me the knowledge and confidence to go out into the hair world and absolutely smash it! The support from not just my ISA trainer coach but the whole ISA community and organisation has been amazing. The opportunities I’ve had throughout my apprenticeship are ones I’ll never forget.”

To learn more about the qualifications offered by ISA Training and what support they can provide your salon, visit www.isatraining.co.uk.

Apprenticeships, Awards, Education News, News from Wales

Educ8 Training wins ‘People-Led Growth’ award at Wales’ Fast 50

Educ8 Training Group has won special recognition for ‘People-Led Growth’ at Wales’ 25th anniversary Fast Growth 50 Awards event in Cardiff.

This news follows on from the company being placed 5th in the ‘Best Large Company to Work For in the UK’ awards, where Educ8 proudly celebrated yet another milestone – retaining its place in the top 5 for the 3rd consecutive year.

Celebrating 25 years and welcoming over 1,100 guests to the Utilita Arena in Cardiff, Wales’ Fast Growth 50 event marks the largest ever assembly of Welsh business talent, recognising the incredible achievements of the fastest growing businesses in Wales.

Since starting in 1999, Wales’ Fast Growth 50 have given a platform to businesses to gain recognition for their achievements and contributes significantly to the Welsh economy. As of this year, the Fast Growth 50 Index expanded its reach nationally, unveiling an extensive list highlighting the 50 fastest growing businesses across seven nations and regions of the UK.

Educ8 Training Group marked its inaugural invitation to the event this year, sharing the stage with AerFin, ALS People, CP Hire GB, FlyForm, Freshwater, Pro Steel Engineering Limited, Smart Solutions Group and Yolk Recruitment Ltd. Winners are chosen based on their turnover growth over a two-year period, recognising their ability to scale rapidly and sustainably. Sponsored by the Cardiff Capital Region, the ‘People-Led Growth’ award showcases Educ8’s people-led approach to phenomenal growth.

Grant Santos, Chief Executive at Educ8 said: “We are so proud to have won the special recognition for ‘People-Led Growth’ award. This is a superb achievement and recognises the substantial growth that we’ve have had over the last couple of years.

The award encapsulates who we are as a business. Our growth and success has, and will continue to be a result of the fantastic people who make Educ8 such a great place to work.”

This year Educ8 Training Group has gone from strength to strength and remains at the forefront of innovation in the sector. From launching their brand-new Energy and Carbon Management apprenticeship to help support the Welsh Government’s target of becoming a net zero nation by 2050, to pioneering Virtual Reality (VR) in hair salons across South Wales. Educ8 is dedicated to offering innovative programmes that empower individuals to excel in their role.

Jude Holloway, Managing Director at Educ8, added: “2023 has been a monumental year for us as a group and this award is a testament to our people and our values. This award recognises and celebrates all the hard work and dedication of our staff across the Educ8 Group.

Dylan Jones Evans, Founder of Fast Growth 50, said: “After 25 years of the Wales Fast Growth 50, the performance of Educ8 demonstrates that entrepreneurial businesses are still driving prosperity and growth across the nation whilst generating wealth and jobs in their local communities. Most important of all, their success stories will hopefully inspire others to follow a similar journey.

With fifty Welsh firms generating nearly £600 million of additional turnover and creating over 2,000 new jobs between 2020 and 2022, this year’s list demonstrates yet again how innovation, enterprise and sheer hard work can make a real difference in all sectors from construction to financial services to technology.”

If you’re interested in starting your journey with Educ8 Training Group, please visit www.educ8training.co.uk to discover the variety of qualifications and apprenticeships they have to offer.

Bristol, Business, Business News, News from Wales

GS Verde Group Announce Record Deal Activity and Group Revenue in 2023

GS Verde Group, the multidiscipline corporate advisory business, has reported record M&A deal activity in 2023 resulting in record revenue growth in the same period, with over £2m of additional revenue achieved in comparison to the same period in 2022.

GS Verde Group evolved into a multidiscipline corporate advisory business in 2016. The Group specialises in providing end to end advisory services to corporates, businesses and individuals looking to buy, sell or raise investment in relation to business activities.  Corporate law, corporate finance, tax, due diligence and other legal and accountancy advisory matters are covered by the range of services within the Group.

During the course of 2023, GS Verde Group has recruited 20 additional employees and made a further 10 senior promotions across its offices in Bristol, Cardiff, and Dublin. Notably Lorna Bolton was promoted to become a senior director at Group level, Joel Dunning took up the role of Head of Tax & Accounting and Mike Fenwick and Lauren Couch were promoted and recruited to lead director roles in Cardiff and Bristol respectively.

Technology entrepreneur Gavin Johns also joined the strategic Board of GS Verde Group as non-executive Chairman.

In addition to the organic hires and promotions, the Group acquired an additional business into the group in the early part of 2023, making the successful acquisition of Integrated Finance & Technology (now GS Verde Ireland) in Dublin. This step expanded the geographic reach of GS Verde Group and maintained offices in both the UK and the EU.

Experian MarketIQ recently recorded GS Verde Group as the most active dealmakers in Wales, uniquely occupying this ranking in both the corporate legal and corporate finance Experian rankings (the only firm to do so).

The success of 2023 is seen by GS Verde Group as an ideal launch pad for further growth in 2024 with several exciting plans in motion which are set to be announced in Q1 2024.

GS Verde Group founder and CEO, Nigel Greenaway said: “2023 has been another great year. It is exciting to see the year-on-year growth from 2021 and 2022 continue and accelerate in 2023. We have significant plans and opportunities to further accelerate our growth in 2024 as we look to increased market share, additional strategic hires, and new acquisitions to broaden our geographic reach.”

The GS Verde Group are the business-focused experts in getting deals done. Offering legal, finance, tax and communications services, GS Verde Group’s multidiscipline, one-team approach streamlines the M&A process, augmenting the traditional reality of corporate transactions to increase success.

For more information on the services GS Verde Group offer, you can visit their website here.

Education News, Neath Port Talbot, News from Wales

Educ8 Training Group Launches Community Project Backed by UK Government to Improve Numeracy Skills in Neath-Port Talbot

Following a grant awarded under the UK Shared Prosperity Fund from the government as part of its ‘Levelling Up’ initiative, Educ8 Training Group, an award-winning education provider, has launched ‘Multiply.’ This community project has been developed to improve the numeracy skills of adults in Neath-Port Talbot.

Adopting the slogan ‘Calculating your Potential’, the Multiply project will target those over the age of 19 who do not have a level 2 (Grade C) GCSE Maths qualification. It will offer a variety of practical workshops and sessions in different locations across the area.

The workshops will not only provide students with a qualification equivalent to a level 2 Maths GCSE and equip them with the numeracy skills employers look for when recruiting, but the sessions will also be teaching participants essentials to everyday life. They will learn how to budget for the weekly shop, how to calculate and manage their energy costs, and how they can support children with maths homework helping to instil numeracy confidence in the next generation.

Terri Cotterell-Delap, Programme Manager at Educ8, elaborated on the potential Multiply has to make a difference to the lives of its students: “What makes Multiply so exciting is the fact that the course will provide people with the numeracy skills to perhaps get them on the career ladder or pivot to a new career path while also teaching life skills such as budgeting that are invaluable in the current cost of living crisis. It’s as much about improving well-being as it is about learning a skill and bettering your job prospects.”

Having recruited three new specialised roles to coordinate and deliver the workshops – a project coordinator, engagement officer, and training coach – the workshops are expected to begin delivery in late November.

Educ8 is a leading apprenticeship and training provider across Wales and the UK, dedicated to delivering high-quality educational and growth opportunities to learners and employers alike. The Educ8 Group has an unrivalled track record of delivering outstanding vocational training programs, and the launch of Multiply further demonstrates Educ8’s commitment to creating opportunities through education. This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Grant Santos, CEO of Educ8 added: “The inclusion of Multiply in our roster of excellent training programs and courses further emphasises the importance of life-long learning and how learning valuable skills in a hands-on environment has a positive impact on every aspect of a person’s life, both at home and in the world of work.”

The project, due to run until March 2025, will deliver its workshops in various formats and will be available weekly and monthly, with plans to run sessions in education centres, food banks, and workplaces.

Interested participants can find out more and register their interest in attending at – https://www.educ8training.co.uk/courses/multiply/

Neath Port Talbot, News, News from Wales

Open letter from 130 Port Talbot businesses and community groups to save steel industry

More than 130 Port Talbot businesses, community groups, sports and social clubs have signed an open letter calling on the government to save the town’s steel industry.

Representatives from across the community will come together at Aberavon Green Stars Rugby Club to sign a giant version of the letter (see notes to editors for full list of signatories).

 

When: 1800 hrs, Wednesday, 29 November 2023

Where: Aberavon Green Stars Rugby Club, Darwin Road, Port Talbot, SA12 6BS

The letter states:

We are a coalition of local businesses, community groups, sports and social clubs in Port Talbot speaking up together in support of our steel industry and its workers.

 

Port Talbot’s steel industry is a hugely important employer, providing quality jobs for local people. Its future represents the future of our community and businesses. That future is now uncertain.

For too long the UK steel industry has suffered from patchy investment and short-term vision.       

 

Our politicians, of all stripes, need to stand up and commit to securing a long-term future for the industry before steel communities like ours suffer the same fate as mining and industrial communities did in the 1980s.

Back then, the government sat idly by and allowed communities to suffer. They can’t be allowed to do the same again. Instead, they should commit to the investment needed to make the UK a European leader in green steel and secure the jobs that our community relies on.

 

For communities to thrive they need decent jobs. It is the role of government to ensure that communities have a secure future.

Our politicians should commit to:

 

  • Change procurement rules to let UK public contracts use 100 per cent UK steel. This alone can create thousands of jobs.
  • Public investment for a Steelworkers’ Transition Plan with NO loss of jobs. Phased workers’ transition to Green Steel – while doubling capacity to rebuild our industry and grow jobs.

 

Commenting on the letter, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The businesses and communities of Port Talbot know that is crunch time for steel and for the future of their town. They are joining with Unite in their droves to call on our politicians to act now.

“The government’s current plans for the industry are an abysmal failure that will result in the loss of countless jobs and the decimation of an industry vital to both the communities it supports and the UK’s economic success.

“Unite and the people of Port Talbot will not rest until politicians make the right choices. Steel production in the UK can have a bright future – it’s time to save our steel.”

 

Remi Whitelock, from Afan United Football Club, said: “We’re kicking against these proposed job losses. The impact on the community here in Port Talbot would be devastating. Everyone involved in this club is involved in steel somehow – players, coaches, staff, fans – we either work there or have friends or family there. The government needs to act: stop the jobs cuts, invest properly in the future of steel production and invest in the future of the community here in Port Talbot”

 

Owner of Afan Ales & Fine Wines, Gavin John, said: “If thousands of jobs go at the steel works it will be a sledgehammer to local businesses in Port Talbot – way beyond the steel industry. It’s already tough out there for small businesses like us. We need to stop the proposed job cuts and look again. Proper investment in clean steel could help secure the future for local businesses and really make this place.”

 

Awards, Education News, News from Wales

Educ8 Training Group Secures Top 5 Placement at ‘Best Companies to Work For’ Awards

Educ8 Training Group, a leading provider of innovative training and education solutions, has been named in the Top 5 ‘Best Large Companies to Work For in the UK’ list and has also taken the #2 spot in the ‘Best Education and Training Companies in the UK’ category.

The Best Companies list is compiled each year, naming those companies that care about doing the right thing, value their people, and understand the value of a truly engaged workforce. Businesses placed on the list are committed to fostering positivity and recognise their employees as a vital part of their success. The national, regional and sector lists for 2023 were recently revealed at a prestigious ceremony in Battersea Evolution in London.

This year marked Educ8 Training Group’s inaugural entry into the ‘Large Companies’ category, having been named in the ‘Medium Companies’ category in previous years. 2023 is the ninth consecutive year that Educ8 has been commended on the Best Companies list and the third consecutive yearthe business has been in the top 5.

The transition to the ‘Large Companies; category is a testament to the company’s exceptional growth while maintaining its commitment to providing an outstanding workplace environment for its 275 employees.

The awards ceremony, attended by companies from across the length and breadth of the UK, was a hugely encouraging experience that showcased the truly positive and empowering workplace cultures present across the country.

Grant Santos, Chief Executive at Educ8 said: “We are so pleased to have placed so highly amongst some of the best companies in the UK. Educ8 truly values its employees and the important contribution they bring to the workplace every day, and we aim to provide them with a positive and encouraging environment where they feel supported. An organisation’s employees are critical to its success, and nurturing our employees continues to be a priority for Educ8 Training Group.”

Educ8 Training Group has consistently demonstrated its commitment to employee engagement and an inclusive workplace culture by moving to an employee ownership model last year. This strategic decision saw the company transition to an employee-owned business, enabling employees to become more involved in key company decisions through a committee.

Jude Holloway, Managing Director of Operations at Educ8, added: “Moving to employee ownership was a tangible way to acknowledge and reward our exceptional staff. It was an excellent way to crystallise our other employee engagement and wellbeing initiatives that include an increased benefits package, 24/7 staff support and dedicated Rejuven8 time. We are very proud to be named in the Top 5 large companies, and this award inspires us to always strive for the happiness of our employees.”

With 275 employees, Educ8 Training Group remains at the forefront of innovation in the sector, this year introducing a new Energy and Carbon Management apprenticeship and pioneering Virtual Reality (VR) training for hairdressing apprentices in partnership with ISA Training and CEMET.

For those eager to embark on a learning journey with Educ8 Training Group, visit www.educ8training.co.uk to explore the wide range of qualifications and apprenticeships available.