Today's Top Stories

Thursday, 22nd December 2022

EXPORTS | Welsh Goods Export Values Recover to Beyond Pre-Pandemic Levels to Total £19.4 Billion - The latest provisional figures show Welsh goods exporters have demonstrated significant resilience amid ongoing challenges in the global trading environment, from the war in Ukraine to currency instability and the increased costs of shipping and energy.

FREEPORT | The Celtic Freeport Could be the Southwest Version of Hinkley Point - As part of a new series focused on the ambitions and opportunities of the Celtic Freeport bid in South Wales, Business News Wales spoke with social impact director at Bouygues UK, Leigh Hughes, about amplifying Wales’ global position in the energy sector and the opportunity to create the Southwest version of Hinkley Point as an economic exporter through new green industries.

ECONOMY | Building a Sustainable Economy in 2023 - Just 12 months ago I took up my role as Director of ICAEW in Wales. It has been a busy and rewarding year as part of a team that promotes, develops and supports Chartered Accountants and students around the world.

STARTUP | Young Entrepreneur Launches New Hospitality Booking Service - A 24-year-old entrepreneur from Cardiff is in the process of launching a first-of-its-kind virtual booking service app with the hope of being just in time to support the hospitality sector this festive season.

TECHNOLOGY | New funding for Agriculture and Horticulture Automation and Robotics- Ahead of its launch in January, Defra has published guidance for the third round of the Farming Futures Research and Development Fund competition focusing on agriculture and robotics.

FINANCIAL SERVICES | Good Investment Decisions are Important for Successful Pension Schemes- Key figures from the pension and legal industries in South Wales and the South West of England have come together to provide a market overview for business leaders following a recent volatile period.

BUILT ENVIRONMENT | How Good Architecture Benefits Healthcare in Wales - Delivering excellent healthcare is achievable when staff have access to first-class facilities. At Roberts Limbrick, we have the ability and expertise to design state-of-the-art healthcare buildings that work for a wide range of users.

MANUFACTURING | STG Aerospace Partner with Cardiff Metropolitan University for R&D Project- Cwmbran aerospace lighting manufacturer, STG Aerospace, has recently collaborated with the Cardiff School of Art & Design at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

LEGAL | Hugh James Appointed to Advise Bangor University - Top 100 law firm Hugh James has been appointed to advise Bangor University following a competitive tender exercise.

TECHNOLOGY | Australia, Canada and USA Sign up to UK’s Vision for a Stronger 5G Supply Chain- Australia, Canada and the United States have backed guidelines for telecoms companies, developed by the UK, designed to build a more innovative, competitive and secure supply of equipment.

GROWTH | Entrepreneur Acquires Sustainable Pet Brand Aiming to Reduce Carbon Pawprints- Luxury pet brand Baker & Bray has been acquired by an ambitious entrepreneur set to refresh the sector with a committed focus on sustainability, in a deal advised on by the GS Verde Group.

ENERGY | Sustainability Experts Share Advice on Training Your Employees on Energy-Saving in the Workplace- As we are heading into the new year, one of the most common topics we are all thinking about is saving money and improving our environment.

SKILLS | Almost a Quarter of a Million UK Youth Turned Off Working for Life- New research from City & Guilds, the global skills development organisation, finds that the odds are being stacked against young people’s futures and career aspirations – particularly the most disadvantaged.

RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS | Schools Benefit as Nearly 7,000 Deloitte Laptops get Second Lease of Life- Deloitte in Wales has donated 250 laptops to three Cardiff schools since the firm first committed to donating the firm’s used laptops in 2021.

RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS | Inspirational Diversity Advisor given Ambassador for Peace Award- An inspirational entrepreneur and bestselling author from Wales has been honoured with a prestigious award by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) in the same month as being appointed to a new role on the Advisory Panel of the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales.

RURAL ECONOMY | Clwyd Hands Over the Baton to Glamorgan as RWAS Feature County - During the annual meeting of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society Council this month, Clwyd's remarkable period as feature county came to an end as Glamorgan took on the role.

INNOVATION | Wales: A Place and Nation with a World Leading Reputation for Research and Innovation - The UK government has recently reaffirmed its ambition, as outlined in its Innovation Strategy, of making the UK the most exciting place for innovation talent. What does this mean though in more tangible terms?