Tag Archives: Cardiff

HR, HR News, Marketing, PR and SEO, News

Pioneering Orchard Team Takes Ownership of the Business

Award-winning communications agency the Orchard Media and Events Group is setting up an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), one of a small number of Welsh pioneers who are following well-known brands such as John Lewis Partnership, Aardman, and Riverford in putting the business in the hands of its 70 strong team to protect its future independence.

Orchard has been providing a range of creative communications services to clients in Wales and across the world for 14 years, from Welsh Government to Principality Building Society, Aston Martin and Qatar Airways to Nando’s, the AA and Netflix. The agency creates corporate and public events for NATO, UEFA, and Johnson & Johnson; produces film content for Visit Wales, TV programmes for BBC, S4C, Channel 4, and National Geographic; and advises on sponsorships and partnerships for the likes of the RFU, the International Chamber of Commerce, and Orbex.

With the original founders moving on, the ownership of the business will be transferred to Orchard’s staff from October 1st this year, when an employee-owned trust will own and manage the company, the latest Welsh business to take this increasingly popular corporate route.

Orchard co-founder and outgoing Operations Director Al Wilson said: “When we looked at the options for succession planning, the EOT model stood out for us as a way to repay the hard work and commitment of the team here, and give them this huge opportunity to take Orchard into an exciting future. The ethos behind EOTs aligns well with the values we’ve nurtured in the company, and we know that the leadership and wider team are the people best placed to benefit from its future success.

“We‘re grateful to Andrew Evans at Geldards and Paul Cantrill, a Corporate Advisor with Cwmpas for their specialist EOT knowledge and invaluable support in getting us to this point.”

EOTs are becoming an increasing popular way to keep corporate ownership within the country of origin, in this case Wales, to secure jobs and provide more opportunities for talent to build their careers here.

Andrew Evans, a Cardiff Partner with Geldards LLP is hugely experienced in taking companies through EOT across the UK. Andrew said: “Geldards is delighted to be trusted with advising on the transition of Orchard to employee ownership. The shareholders, management team and employees have been very receptive to the idea of employee ownership and a desire to adopt “best practice” in terms of employee engagement to make the transition a success and the basis for future growth in the business.”

While ownership changes, it’s very much business as usual for the agency, with the current senior management team keeping hold of the reins, and a new Group Board bringing the skills and experience of a number of senior corporate figures to drive the firm’s strategic direction.

Joint chief executive Jim Carpenter said: “We’ve had a great reaction to the news from the team that’s built the business – they recognise the EOT protects Orchard’s  independence, sustains our successful working practices and values that might have been compromised in a trade sale, and avoids businesses coming in from outside to asset-strip the company.”

The EOT transfers ownership of the company to a trust, whose trustees of senior figures within Orchard and independent specialists will look after the interests of all employees. Current shareholders will be re-imbursed over time, proportionate to the financial performance of the agency, which will also influence the level of bonuses available to employees. There is no cost or liability for individual workers, but instead a great incentive to ensure the business continues to thrive.

Welsh Government is looking to double the number of businesses in Wales that are employee-owned by 2026 (from 2022), and supports the Employee Ownership Wales service at the development agency Cwmpas to ensure Wales-based companies remain in Welsh hands.

Orchard is an RAR+ Top 100 agency, winner of both Drum and Drum Recommends awards and has been included in the Drum Top Independent Agencies. Last year Orchard’s ‘Cymru i’r Byd, Wales to the World’ integrated, multi-lingual, multi-platform campaign promoting the nation’s appearance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup scooped both the prestigious Grand Prix and the Travel & Tourism World Media Awards.

Accountancy & Accounts, Cardiff

Boardroom leadership needed to manage AI risks and drive trust

  • Businesses urged to take steps to maximise the opportunities of AI and lay foundations for responsible use of new technologies
  • AI use in finance must be built on trust in order for it to succeed in rollout and application

 

Chief executive officers (CEOs) and chief financial officers (CFOs) need to build trust in artificial intelligence (AI) by taking steps in their organisations to manage the associated risks.

 

As AI plays a greater role in the accounting and financial reporting of businesses, CFOs and financial controllers will have to be confident about the adequacy of oversight and controls of AI systems.

 

In the first in a series of insights, AI monitor: trust, ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) urges finance professionals to ensure that AI governance and AI risk management is in place, beginning with:

 

  • Investing in AI literacy and skills development: finance professionals must invest in education and training to critically evaluate AI outputs, communicate clearly with key stakeholders, and make informed decisions.
  • Collaborating via cross-functional teams: finance professionals should actively engage with IT, data science, legal and risk management teams.
  • Developing an AI governance framework: beginning with critical uses, finance professionals should take steps within their organisation to establish clear policies, oversight and governance practices.

 

AI presents many opportunities to businesses such as providing more insights from a wider array of information sources, driving greater efficiency and better customer experiences. But it also poses a challenge to trust in accounting and finance reporting with new dynamics being introduced to the traditional trust mechanisms that underpin corporate accounting.

 

Alistair Brisbourne, head of technology research, ACCA, said: “Introducing AI is both about trust in the systems and trust in the people that we work with, and how we bring those two elements together.

 

“CEOs and CFOs need to focus on making the changes needed to harness the many potential opportunities but also retain trust. This includes upskilling to deal with the technology and introducing new knowledge into their organisations. They also need to focus on the governance, the oversight and culture required to allow different teams to work together effectively. It’s about bringing change management and governance together.”

 

AI monitor: trust highlights some of the risks of AI in accounting systems, such as:

  • Impacting decision-making without clearly explaining the rationale of the forecast or recommendation;
  • An over-dependence on AI procedures in auditing and assurance and a decline in use of human intervention and judgement;
  • Concern over AI bias or error in fraud detection, risk assessment and compliance monitoring;
  • Over relying on AI-powered virtual assistants which give inaccurate or inappropriate responses.

 

Lloyd Powell, head of ACCA Cymru/Wales, said: “In the AI era, the role of finance professionals is to focus on the outcomes driven by technology. Value lies in understanding how these outputs inform decisions and actions that drive business outcomes.

 

“As we recognised at a recent roundtable held in Cardiff, AI will change the finance function and there will be new roles as a result, but accountants will remain central to the success of Welsh businesses and organisations.”

 

In 2024 future issues of the AI monitor will explore talent, risk and controls, the relevance of effective data strategy, and sustainability applications.

 

Read Enabling trust in an AI-enhanced world

 

Visit ACCA’s website for more information.

Business, Cardiff, Mergers, Mergers & Acquisitions

Two south Wales storage businesses announce merger to drive growth and funding opportunities

CARDIFF based blue self storage Ltd (bss) and Maltings Document Storage Solutions (MDSS) have announced their merger to create a new entity branded as ‘Blue Storage Group’, while continuing to operate under the existing brands.

 

While both companies operate profitably and sustainably, the markets in which they operate are changing rapidly with the emergence of new digital technologies. Becoming a larger entity will allow greater investment in new systems and processes, and both companies to take advantage of new funding opportunities, grow operations and scale up geographically.

 

blue self storage is one of the leading container storage providers in the UK, providing storage services for homes, business, vehicles, and removal companies. The fast-growing company has facilities across the UK in Cardiff, Tyneside, Bridgend and a soon-to-be-launched Gloucester site.

 

Maltings Document Storage Solutions, based in Cardiff, provides reliable document storage and management solutions. MDSS has over 40 years’ experience providing its bespoke services in Cardiff and surrounding areas, with aspirations to expand further into England in the near future.

 

Chris Bryan, Managing Director of blue self storage, will assume responsibility for the strategic direction of the overarching entity that includes both companies, and Dean Daly will continue as Operations Director at blue self storage. Gareth Oram will also continue as a non-executive director of MDSS, with the day-to-day operations being steered by Commercial Director, Chris James.

 

Chris Bryan said “This merger will enable us to improve our current offerings, expand our services, and deliver better value to all our customers. While both businesses offer storage solutions to different industries, the infrastructure that’s required for both offerings are very similar.

 

“We have ambitious plans for Blue Storage Group; building on the recent opening of our Bridgend operation, we are currently finalising our plans to open a facility at Gloucester and have several other sites in the pipeline”

 

Gareth Oram added: “The merger represents a strategic move towards greater growth and efficiency. We believe that we will be better positioned to pursue opportunities and continue our aim to be one of the key innovators in what is a very competitive sector. Striving towards innovation, we have invested in the latest digital software and technology so that we can focus on consistent, high-quality service for all our customers, large or small.”

Business, Business Expansion, Cardiff, Cardiff News, Insurance, Investment

New Cardiff office for insurance group Howden

Howden, the global insurance intermediary group, has announced the opening of a new office in Cardiff, to support businesses with tailored insurance solutions.

Located at Regus House, Malthouse Avenue, in Cardiff Gate Business Park, the new office will build on the success of the recently inaugurated office in Swansea last month and Howden’s acquisition of Watkin Davies in 2020. The addition of a new Cardiff office underscores Howden’s dedication to becoming a prominent force in the commercial broking sector in South and West Wales. The expansion will be spearheaded by Gary Stevens, Regional Managing Director, who has outlined ambitious plans to position Howden as the foremost competitor in the region.

Gary expressed his enthusiasm for the expansion, stating: “I am very pleased to lead the opening of yet another office in Wales. An office in Cardiff was the natural choice for our expansion, and we are confident that by increasing our presence in South Wales by growing our team of advisors to 20+ enabling us to continuing to provide exceptional services to our clients.”

Under Gary’s leadership, the new Cardiff office is set to accommodate a team of six highly skilled brokers, who will work to uphold Howden’s commitment to excellence in risk advisory services, with more brokers set to join in the coming months. The team will play a pivotal role in driving the growth of Howden’s UK Corporate & Commercial pillar throughout 2024.

Gary added: “We’ve already made great headway in attracting a team of highly skilled brokers, and we anticipate significant growth throughout 2024. Our new Cardiff office, working closely with our Swansea operation, will play a key role in cementing our position as a leader in the South and West Wales commercial broking sector.

“We are very excited about our South Wales presence, and also becoming a Principal Partner of The British & Irish Lions for their forthcoming tour of Australia in 2025.”

Beauty, Business, Cardiff, Cardiff News, Education, Employee Motivation, Hair and Beauty, Job Opportunities, Jobs

Cardiff teen lands her dream job through Jobs Growth Wales+

A 17-year-old apprentice from Cardiff is flying to Budapest after support from the Welsh Government’s Jobs Growth Wales+ programme to land her dream role as a Hairdresser.

Darla Wathen recently completed her Level 1 NVQ qualification in Hairdressing and is currently working at Henderson & Co. as a Junior Stylist.

When discussing her route to employment, Darla said: “I wasn’t very academic at school, but I’ve always been a creative person. I decided to meet with Working Wales to scope out my options and Jobs Growth Wales+ appealed to me because of the work placements and hands-on training that were incorporated into your learning.

“Back then I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my future, so I attended a few taster days to explore different career pathways. The courses on offer varied from childcare to beauty to construction and animal care, but it was hairdressing that I discovered I had a passion for.”

Having found her feet, Darla excelled on the programme and quickly proved to her tutors that she was a talented and dedicated learner.

Darla said: “My tutor, Charlotte, played a huge role in how comfortable and at ease I felt on Jobs Growth Wales+. I was nervous when I first started the programme, but she spent a lot of time helping me build on my essential skills before looking for employment.

“As well as working with me to improve my CV, Charlotte would act out interview scenarios with me to get me used to a real-life environment. This massively helped with my confidence and was a huge turning point for me.

“My Jobs Growth Wales+ tutors saw my potential. Everyone treated me like an adult, and I could tell the programme wanted me to succeed.”

With the support she received, Darla soon secured her job at Henderson & Co. in Cardiff and is currently thriving as a Junior Stylist.

Darla continued: “Working at Henderson & Co. has been amazing. I really appreciate the advice the other stylists give me, and I’ve already learnt so much in such a short space of time. When I’m not with clients, I’m either on reception, tidying or doing stock take – I love going to work because no day is the same!”

“I’m really keen to specialise in colour and I’ve been lucky enough to practice different techniques – from block colour, balayage, foils and highlights. I even dyed a customer’s hair red the other day.”

This year, Darla will be flying to Budapest with Henderson & Co. to attend a fashion show workshop.

“I feel incredibly lucky to be going with the team to a Kevin Murphy fashion show. It’s another new adventure and an opportunity for me to be taught by the very best influencers and experts in the industry.”

Darla has also got her sights set on gaining more work experience in Australia before returning to Wales to set up her own salon.

Darla said: “I’m hoping to progress with Henderson & Co, and maybe in a few years even live and work in Australia to learn new techniques again. At the moment I’m taking every day as it comes but it would be amazing to set up my own salon eventually.

“My one piece of advice for people who don’t know what they want to do when they’re at school is to talk to others about your options. I felt incredibly listened to and was lucky enough to find a career because of the training and funding provided through Jobs Growth Wales+.”

To learn more about Jobs Growth Wales+ visit workingwales.gov.wales/jobs-growth-wales-plus or call Working Wales on 0800 028 4844.

Marketing, PR and SEO, News

Key Strategic Appointment at Orchard Media and Events Group  

Senior strategist Sarah Mason has joined the Cardiff-based, award-winning communications agency Orchard in the new role of Group Strategy Director to help take the £15 million turnover company onto the next level.

Orchard has been providing a range of creative communications services to clients in Wales and across the world for 14 years, from Welsh Government to Principality Building Society, Aston Martin and Qatar Airways to Nando’s, the AA and Netflix. They create corporate and public events for NATO, UEFA, and Johnson & Johnson; produce film content for Visit Wales; TV programmes for BBC, S4C, Channel 4, and National Geographic; and advise on sponsorships and partnerships for the likes of the RFU, the International Chamber of Commerce, and Orbex.

Sarah has already got stuck into her new role, drawing on her previous experience at VCCP, The & Partnership (now T&Pm), Publicis and Wunderman (now VML), as well as her freelance stints at Havas London, Accenture Song and Oliver Agency. Sarah has also worked with some impressive clients including Compare The Market, ASDA, Barclays, L’Oreal and The Prince’s Trust, and has co-authored a winning IPA Effectiveness paper.

Orchard co-chief executive Jim Carpenter said: “We’re a well established leading independent regional agency and work with big brands, offering an integrated range of marketing communications solutions. We’ve been looking for some time to appoint someone of Sarah’s calibre into this significant new strategic role at Orchard, and we’re really excited to work with Sarah to take us onto the next level.”

Orchard is an RAR+ Top 100 agency, winner of both Drum and Drum Recommends awards and has been included in the Drum Top Independent Agencies. Last year Orchard’s ‘Cymru i’r Byd, Wales to the World’ integrated,  multi-lingual, multi-platform campaign promoting the nation’s appearance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup scooped both the prestigious Grand Prix and the Travel & Tourism World Media Awards.

On her appointment, Sarah said: “Orchard is an agency I’ve long admired from afar, so I’m thrilled to now be part of the team, bolstering their strategic offering as they embark on this exciting next chapter.”

Business News, Cardiff News, Health, Research, Science

Genesis Biosciences joins consortium to tackle antimicrobial resistance

Genesis Biosciences has joined the COMBAT AMR consortium which aims to understand and control the emergence and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance in complex drain biofilms.

Under the leadership of Professor Jean-Yves Maillard of Cardiff University, Genesis Biosciences will collaborate with the university and other European educational institutions on the research project.

Antimicrobial resistance is a significant global challenge and is listed on the UK government’s National Risk Register as a chronic risk that poses continuous challenges. The government’s vision is for antimicrobial resistance to be contained and controlled by 2040 and it is publishing five-year national action plans to achieve this.

Antimicrobial resistance occurs when organisms that cause disease evolve and are no longer affected by antimicrobials including antibiotics, antifungal and antiviral medicines. It is a natural phenomenon but is rapidly accelerating due to factors including misuse or overuse of antimicrobials in humans and animals, environmental contamination and poor infection control practices.

Biofilms, communities of microorganisms living on surfaces, are the most common mode of bacterial growth and harbour pathogens, particularly antimicrobial and multidrug resistant pathogens. Due to their ubiquitous nature, biofilms are recognised as a major cause of antimicrobial resistance.

The COMBAT AMR consortium is studying drain biofilms from farms, healthcare settings and homes to understand the complexity of biofilms in different environments and the persistence of antimicrobial genes and multidrug resistant organisms within those biofilms.

The consortium is using a new multi-species biofilm model based on research by Dr Kate Ledwoch, Laboratory Manager at Genesis Biosciences, and fellow scientists which was published in the Journal of Hospital Infection in 2020.

The innovative model will be used during the project to measure the efficacy of several interventions to control the biofilms, explore the phenotypic characterisations of the key pathogens and establish an impact intervention to control antimicrobial resistant organisms on their resistance genes within the biofilms.

Dr Emma Saunders, General Manager at Genesis Biosciences, said: “Antimicrobial resistance is a threat to both human and animal health, impacting the ability to treat infections and ensure food security. As biofilms act as a reservoir for harmful, resistant pathogens, it is important to improve our understanding of antimicrobial genes and the impact of disinfection on complex biofilms.

“We are looking forward to working with Cardiff University and the other members of the consortium to help tackle this global challenge.”

News

Ukrainian water system helping farmers in Wales grow bigger and better fruit and veg

A VEGETABLE farmer has reaped the rewards following a successful trial of a revolutionary Ukrainian irrigation system.

Supported by Menter Mon’s Tech Tyfu vertical farming project – based on Anglesey – Snowdon Valley Farm has tested the Adam’s Water technology over past months and seen a significant increase in the size, quality and yield of its fruit and vegetables.

Warren Priestley, who together with Len and Gareth Griffith-Swain launched the farm business (Fferm Cwm yr Wyddfa) in Waunfawr two years ago, says the process destroys complex compounds of mineral fertilisers for better availability of nutrition, accelerating plant growth and fruit ripening.

It also improves the quality of saline, irrigation water, reduces the harmful effects of hydrocarbons on the plant and could lead to a 10% increase in yield.

“We are incredibly honoured to have been the first farm in the UK to use the Adam’s Water technology and have noticed a difference in our produce, particularly the tomatoes and cucumbers,” said Warren.

“We split the polytunnel into two halves and on the side using this process there was on average a 10% increase in size, and much more with certain varieties.

“It has also allowed us to weigh the produce, check the data and feed that back; we saw an immediate impact and because the produce lasts longer and there is superior growth it allows you to push the season a little longer.”

He added: “We are a small operation, but this could work on a much larger scale, there is no limit to the effect this will have on the sector.

“It is so simple to install, you just plug it in to main supply, add water and fertiliser and the feed becomes almost super-charged, you get faster growing plants, they’re a better quality and more resilient.

“As a result, we’ve been able to experiment and try different things, and after taking the tomatoes – our Y Ddraig Goch (Red Dragon) variety is very popular – to local restaurants they could also see the benefits.”

Warren now plans to slowly increase their operation and eventually plant a ‘food forest’ featuring a combination of local and national varieties of fruit, vegetables, and microgreens.

“We want to attract visitors to the area and promote the ‘grow your own’ ethos, especially given soaring costs at the supermarket,” he said.

“The Adam’s Water system will definitely help us to realise that vision, and there’s no doubt it could help others too.”

Tech Tyfu Senior Project Officer David Wylie said the project – driven by Menter Mon and Business Wales – could be a game-changer for growers across the country.

“Warren has demonstrated that the technology works, in just a matter of months he was able to diversify, try different methods and compare the outcomes,” said David.

“This is a brilliant innovation and the team behind it are keen to collaborate with farms and growers, especially given reports indicate just 6% of fruit and veg sold in the public sector in Wales is grown in Wales.

“We want to increase that number and encourage more and more people to buy local, to support independent producers and embrace sustainability.

“Adam’s Water could be a real driver for that, reducing harmful effects of hydrocarbons on plants, increasing yield, and improving the quality of saline, irrigation water – it is an amazing concept, and it works.”

Vitalii But from Adam’s Water thanked Snowdon Valley Farm, Business Wales, and Tech Tyfu for demonstrating the system’s capabilities.

“In the expansive landscape of Ukraine, farmers have adopted the Adam’s Water system for the past two years and it has benefited various crops like cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, and strawberries,” he said.

“Universally, all users have reported a significant boost in crop yield, improved disease resistance, and extended plant growth seasons. One Ukrainian farm even achieved a remarkable entry in the Ukrainian record book for the number of tomatoes harvested from a single bush, as a result of using this system – so it is making a very positive difference.”

Business Wales Relationship Manager Svetlana Ross added: “We take pride in our role in facilitating the introduction of this transformative technology, furthering our commitment to supporting new and existing businesses in Wales.

“We anticipate continued collaboration and the enduring success of the Adam’s Water system as it continues to revolutionise agriculture in the UK and on a global scale.”

For more news and information from Tech Tyfu, visit www.techtyfu.com and follow them on social media @TechTyfu. 

Visit the Facebook page www.facebook.com/snowdonvalleyfarm/ or email snowdonvalleyfarm@hotmail.com for more on Snowdon Valley Farm.

Email adams.water.uk@icloud.com for more information on the Adam’s Water project.

News

Outdoor advertising company shows signs of growth across Wales

A MEDIA company has shown further signs of growth across Wales.

Route Media – part of Dragon Group – has expanded its footprint with new partnerships including a West Wales bus network, which serves passengers in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.

The contract will see 10 vehicles installed with streetliner and rear signage viewed by motorists and pedestrians in the popular tourist areas, which are visited by up to 10million people a year.

Also going live this month are a new portrait mega-6 digital screen on Newport Road in Cardiff, and a landmark large format D48 digital screen on the M4 at Newport.

Route’s network of smaller format digital signage also sees two new D6 digital screens installed in Bayview Shopping Centre in Colwyn Bay, and Newport bus station.

The business has a presence in towns and cities all over the country and borders, from Bangor to Bridgend.

Sales and Marketing Director Dean Jones said more and more organisations are turning to digital ‘out-of-home advertising’ to get their message across to a wider audience.

“We are really pleased to be working alongside Taf Valley coaches to bring a great new offering to the market,” he said.

“The region is a hotspot for tourists and these adverts will be viewed by thousands of eyeballs each week, an attractive proposition for potential advertisers.”

Dean added: “To increase our portfolio across Wales is a key strategy for our growth.

“Businesses in particular are seeing just how valuable it is to share their product or service with a captive audience via this high-quality visual medium, and that looks set to continue as we grow even further in the months ahead.”

Route Media has also installed digital screens at Eagles Meadow in Wrexham and others in Rhyl, Llandudno, Bangor, Swansea and more sites in Wales.

The new locations join its network of more than 700 advertising sites across the country.

These latest developments come after the business became advertising sales partner for Transport for Wales and its vast media estate, spanning both the rail and road portfolio in a bid to switch from static to sustainable digital assets and eventually lower its carbon footprint nationwide.

For more information on Route Media, email sales@routemedia.co.uk or visit the website: www.routemedia.co.uk. Use the hashtag #RightRoute on social media.

For more news and information from Dragon Group, visit www.dragon-group.co.uk

News

New net zero qualification launched for next generation of ‘sustainable business leaders’

A NEW ‘net zero’ qualification will help Wales meet its carbon neutral targets and train the next generation of sustainable business leaders.

Agored Cymru has created the Level 3 Diploma in Energy and Carbon Management, a course focused on developing the skills and knowledge required to operate systems and processes of energy consumption and carbon emissions within an organisation and the environment, both locally and globally.

Modules include Analysis of Energy Consumption and Carbon Emissions, Health and Safety in an Energy Management Environment, Energy Procurement, Waste Management, Community Engagement and more, targeting behavioural change and best practice.

Designed in collaboration with ACT and Educ8 Training, Agored Cymru is confident the qualification will support and guide private and public sector organisations in the management of energy and their own carbon footprints.

Judith Archer, Head of Product Development at Agored Cymru, said: “A lot of work has gone into making this a future-proof qualification that can grow given advances in technology and in line with the Welsh Government’s net zero plans, effectively looking to develop the skills needed for this and future generations.

“It’s so important the qualification applies to businesses and organisations of all sizes, and as part of an apprenticeship it is also a flexible way in which to gain qualifications which benefit not only the individual but the workplace too.”

Simone Hawken, Qualifications Manager at Educ8, added: “The programme equips learners with the necessary knowledge, understanding and skills to enable them to become more sustainable and energy efficient at work and at home.

“Global emissions are as high as they have ever been, and this qualification is key in helping us all to work and live more sustainably in future.”

The equivalent of an A Level, the course will play a big part in ensuring Wales becomes a net zero nation by 2050, in line with Welsh Government targets.

Matthew Burnett, ACT’s Head of Operations and Contracts, says the partnership between hybrid technology, engineering and education will support that vision.

“All public sector organisations will have an environmental lead and every small business will also need these skills because the requirements to be sustainable will become more rigorous,” he said.

“The aspiration is that employees will gain new skills that are increasingly important as we drive towards net zero and, in turn, they will be able to share their skills and knowledge to colleagues so that more people are aware of carbon footprints and net zero.”

Visit www.agored.cymru or call 01248 670011 and 02920 747866 for more information on the Level 3 Diploma in Energy and Carbon Management and other qualifications available via Agored Cymru.