Tag Archives: South West and Mid

Business, South Wales

Chamber welcomes Thomas Carroll as latest partner

Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid has announced that Thomas Carroll has upgraded its membership status to become the business organisation’s latest corporate partner.

Thomas Carroll, established in 1972, is an independent, employee-owned business that provides organisations and individuals with risk management, insurance, wealth management and people services.

With offices in Caerphilly, Swansea, Pembrokeshire, Hereford, Newport, London, and Bristol, it combines national capability with local presence to achieve its goal of being there when it counts for its clients, colleagues and communities. In 2023, the firm became an Employee Ownership Trust, a move reflecting its long-term thinking and puts the future of the business firmly in its employees’ hands.

The partnership symbolises Thomas Carroll’s determination in supporting the local business community by working alongside other ambitious, forward-thinking organisations who are invested in making a difference.

Through this partnership, the Chamber will provide Thomas Carroll with a platform to support members with tailored risk management solutions that give businesses and individuals peace of mind and reach businesses who may not realise the breadth of support available. The partnership operates as a two-way system, creating opportunities for shared insight, collaboration and resilience.

Rhys Thomas, Chief Executive of Thomas Carroll Group, said: “We’ve always believed that the strongest businesses are those that are deeply connected to their local communities. Becoming a partner of the Chamber was a natural extension of this belief.

“Being a partner is more than networking; it’s about contributing to a community where businesses support each other to grow, succeed and stay resilient. We’re proud to play our part, sharing our expertise and building connections that make a real difference.”

Penny Lock, Director of Partnerships and Business Development at Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid, said: “We are delighted to introduce Thomas Carroll as our latest corporate partner. Being longstanding members of the Chamber, we are confident that this partnership will go on to enhance their business goals while bolstering the opportunities available for our members to access expert insurance services.

“Becoming a Chamber partner provides Thomas Carroll with a valuable space to listen and understand the challenges that businesses face and adapt and innovate their services to meet the needs of the business community. Together with the Chamber’s other partners, we are creating an environment where businesses of all sizes can thrive and be successful.”

Business, Business Advice, Business Finance, Economy & Jobs News, Politics, South Wales

Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid comments on Spring Statement 2025

Gus Williams, interim CEO at Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid, said:

“As expected, there was not much in terms of new announcements in the Chancellor’s Spring Statement today. The OBR forecasts highlight economic concerns already familiar to most businesses in Wales. Inflation concerns have not yet disappeared and there are worries about business and consumer confidence.

“Infrastructure and housing falls within the remit of the Welsh Government and like the rest of the UK, Welsh businesses support the prioritisation of simplifying the planning system but are keen to see the proof of this with spades in the ground. The industrial strategy and increased defence spending we hope will have a positive impact in Wales where the manufacturing and defence industries have a significant presence. Infrastructure investments are proven to boost economic investment, and channelling more spending out of the civil service and directly into infrastructure and increasing the amount of funding available to Wales is also welcome, providing the right projects are chosen.

“It is difficult to see any significant improvement in confidence and investment driving economic growth without capital investment led by the government. The government remains bound by fiscal rules that I would argue ignore the economic impact of borrowing to fund capital investments. Part of the problem has been the lack of any robust return on investment analysis on government spending.

“Consumer confidence remains hamstrung by a two-tier economy. The success of healthcare, welfare, and employment reforms will hang on whether they manage to improve overall employment and wage growth; this will be a big test over the next 12 months. The government has been clear that this is how it expects to be judged in the long term.

“Business owners are facing significant headwinds, the full impact of which we are yet to see. The economy could break out of these headwinds but the government will need to lead the way – just cutting spending will not change much, reform needs to achieve change.

“Global trade remains the government’s other major challenge. At the moment the government is trying to balance its relationship with the US and EU and whether events will force them off the fence one way or another remains to be seen. With domestic demand static, growth may be dependent on how the global trade environment now evolves.”

Awards, Business, Business & Property News

Businesses urged to enter Wales Business Awards as deadline looms

Businesses across Wales are being encouraged by Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid to submit their entries for the highly anticipated Wales Business Awards 2025 as the deadline approaches.

The Wales Business Awards celebrate the best of business in Wales and firms now have just one week to go until the entry deadline (Friday 7 March).

The awards are free to enter for both Chamber members and non-members and entries can be submitted by completing an online application form.

Gus Williams, interim CEO of Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid, said: “The Wales Business Awards annually showcase the incredible work and achievements of the Welsh business community and 2025 is set to be another fantastic year!

“The only thing stopping the possibility of your business winning is not entering. There are so many successful businesses in Wales who could have the chance to walk away with one of our prestigious accolades and we strongly encourage them to enter before it’s too late.”

There are 12 revamped categories for businesses to enter this year, including: Apprenticeship Scheme of the Year; Customer Excellence Award; Digital Business Award; Emerging Exporter of the Year; Equity and Inclusion Award; Global Business of the Year; Green Business Award; Innovation Award; Manufacturer of the Year; Outstanding Workplace Culture Award; Professional Services Firm of the Year; and SME Exporter of the Year.

The Chamber will also present ‘Wales Business of the Year’ at the ceremony on 12 June at Mercure Cardiff Holland House, which sees broadcaster Andrea Byrne return as host.

Entries can be submitted at https://cw-seswm.com/events/wales-business-awards-2025/ on or before Friday 7 March.

Data & Analytics

Recruitment, skills and labour pressures felt by Welsh businesses in Q1

Businesses in Wales are continuing to face challenges regarding recruitment, the ongoing skills shortage and labour costs, according to Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid’s latest Quarterly Economic Survey.

In the survey for Q1 of 2024, 46% of businesses in Wales reported that they had attempted to recruit staff, predominantly for full-time and permanent roles. 69% of those who attempted to recruit experienced difficulties in finding suitable staff, a 5% increase compared to the previous quarter, with businesses citing finding candidates with the correct skill sets and qualifications as barriers to recruitment and meeting salary expectations as a challenge for retention.

Salaries and other labour costs were also stated as a key business pressure, with 75% of businesses in Wales feeling under pressure to raise their prices because of these costs. This is also reflected in the national picture with the British Chambers of Commerce reporting that 68% of UK businesses cited labour and staffing costs as their main cost pressure.

However, despite these challenges, there is optimism. 46% of Welsh businesses believe that turnover and profitability will improve over the next 12 months.

Paul Butterworth, CEO of Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid, said: “The results are a timely reminder of the ongoing challenges businesses in Wales face, particularly around ongoing issues such as recruitment, skills development and employee retention.

“While the economy is caught in a low-to-no growth cycle and managing the effects of interest rates and inflation, businesses have been hesitant to invest in training and skills. With consistent and lower inflation, we hope that the Bank of England will lower interest rates to stimulate investment into skills and the seeds of economic growth.

“In the new first minister’s leadership manifesto, he included pledges to provide flexible and timely reskilling opportunities, a much-needed reinvestment in apprenticeships and developing regional sectoral skill centres for excellence. It is our ask that he starts to deliver on his pledges to rekindle Wales’ productivity levels, a skilled Welsh workforce and business support for economic growth.”

The latest edition of the Quarterly Economic Survey also included questions specific to changes happening in Wales such as the election of the new first minister and the new workplace recycling law.

94% of businesses in Wales had heard about the workplace recycling law which came into effect from 6 April, with 71% aware of the changes and how it affected their business.

Over a quarter (26%) of Welsh businesses were aware of the recycling changes but were unaware of how it affected their organisation and only 3% were unaware of the changes or how it affected their business. These businesses suggested that clarity, simple guidelines and research would help them comply with the new law.