THIS year is already shaping up to be a landmark one for Laura Hugman, who has stepped into the role of Chief Executive Officer at The Paul Sartori Foundation while also preparing to take on one of the world’s most demanding endurance events – the London Marathon.

Laura moves into the CEO position after a decade as the charity’s Clinical Lead, and following her appointment as Interim CEO in January 2026. Over the past ten years, she has played a central role in shaping and delivering compassionate care across Pembrokeshire, working closely with patients, families, staff and volunteers. Her deep understanding of clinical services, combined with a calm, people-first leadership style, brings continuity, trust and experience at a crucial time for the organisation.

In her new role, Laura is focused on building on the charity’s strong foundations while keeping its core mission firmly in sight – supporting people living with life-limiting illness. She is committed to ensuring sustainable growth while remaining true to the values that underpin the charity’s work within the community. She will continue to work closely with Chair Dave Evans and Vice-Chair Jason Tomlin.

Away from the office, Laura is also taking on a personal challenge that reflects the same determination she brings to her professional life. A relative newcomer to running, she joined The Waterfront Community Runners in 2021, initially as a way to improve her fitness. What began as a modest step has since developed into a goal she once never imagined – completing a full marathon.

Training for the London Marathon demands consistency, resilience and patience – qualities that closely mirror the care delivered every day by the Paul Sartori team. Early starts, long-distance runs and physical fatigue have all become part of the routine, but Laura remains motivated by the cause she represents and the people the charity supports.

The marathon itself – 26.2 miles of physical and mental endurance – will see thousands take to the streets, cheered on by crowds and watched by millions around the world. For Laura, it is more than a race; it is an opportunity to raise awareness of the charity’s vital work and to generate much-needed funds.

She hopes to raise around £3,600 – the equivalent of one day’s cost of providing the charity’s hospice-at-home services, helping ensure that compassionate care remains available to families across Pembrokeshire when they need it most.

As Laura steps into these dual challenges – one in the boardroom and one on the road – she does so with determination, compassion and a clear sense of purpose.

She will be cheered on every step of the way when she takes part in the marathon on Sunday (Apr 26).

To support Laura, visit her JustGiving page:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/laura-hugman-2

A GROUP of former colleagues from a Welsh steelworks are celebrating after scooping £1 million in the EuroMillions draw — a win that has brought them back together after years apart.

The 15-strong syndicate, made up of ex-finance staff at Tata Steel, landed the prize in the draw on Friday (Feb 27) after matching the Millionaire Maker code.

What began as a light-hearted workplace tradition has turned into a life-changing windfall — and a long-overdue reunion.

The group, dubbed the “Tata Steel Syndicate”, first started playing during long shifts in the finance department, pooling £5 each whenever the jackpot climbed above £100 million.

Even after leaving the company, members kept the tradition alive — staying in touch through emails, the occasional pint, and the hope that one day their numbers would come in.

That moment finally arrived when syndicate leader Paul Davy, aged 61, spotted the winning code.

He said: “I couldn’t believe it — a message just popped up on the app.

“I was checking Saturday’s draw when I saw the notification. I thought it must be an error, but then I saw the Millionaire Maker code. I was in complete shock.”

Paul, who has managed the syndicate for seven years, said he always treated the lottery as “a bit like donating to charity — with the chance of winning as a bonus”.

Now, the win is set to fund a host of dreams across the group, from clearing mortgages to once-in-a-lifetime holidays.

For Paul, that includes another cruise — despite initial nerves on his first.

He said: “My partner didn’t like the idea of boats at first, but we absolutely loved it. So another cruise is definitely on the cards — maybe the Mediterranean this time.”

While some members have stayed in touch over the years, the full group has not met up in person for a long time.

“This win has given us the perfect excuse to celebrate together properly,” Paul added.

Among those sharing in the prize are Gill Furlong, Christine Davies, Sally Wise, Julie Lambert, Allan Evans, Ian Howells and Raja Prasad.

The syndicate members — many of whom still live locally — are now planning how to spend their share, with priorities including home improvements, new cars, and helping family and friends.

The ticket was played via The National Lottery app, with the group winning through the EuroMillions Millionaire Maker draw.

THE CONSTRUCTION sector in Wales is entering 2026 with cautious optimism, supported by continued public sector investment and a pipeline of major infrastructure and energy projects, according to a new report.

Analysis by Rider Levett Bucknall suggests that long-term commitments to energy transition, digital infrastructure and transport upgrades are helping to stabilise the market, despite ongoing global uncertainty.

Major projects highlighted in the report include the proposed Wylfa small modular reactor, the green industrial transition at Port Talbot, and the development of AI Growth Zones. These schemes are expected to create significant opportunities for contractors across Wales, particularly in infrastructure and energy resilience.

However, the report warns that short-term challenges remain. Global pressures, including instability in the Middle East, continue to create uncertainty, while longstanding domestic issues such as planning delays are still affecting progress.

Daniel Walker, an associate at the consultancy based in Cardiff, said that while activity levels remain steady, structural barriers are slowing delivery.

He said: “Across Wales, on-site construction activity remains steady, with visible progress across major centres including Cardiff, Swansea and several valley towns. However, structural challenges remain. Planning delays, particularly those linked to sustainable drainage system approvals, continue to slow early-stage progress on both private and public sector schemes.

“Despite this, and wider geopolitical uncertainty, the market has seen a slight increase in project starts over the past quarter.”

Public sector spending continues to underpin much of the activity. The report notes that devolved fiscal powers have unlocked an additional £505 million for infrastructure and local development, supporting projects in education, healthcare and transport.

Wales is also emerging as a growing hub for digital and energy infrastructure. Investment in data centres is ongoing, while preparatory work linked to Wylfa and the decarbonisation of steel production at Port Talbot is expected to drive demand for construction in the coming years.

Infrastructure remains one of the strongest-performing sectors, supported by transport upgrades and early work associated with the proposed Crossrail Cymru programme. Industrial and energy-related construction is also expanding as Wales accelerates its shift towards low-carbon industries.

In contrast, the high-end residential market has softened, although affordable housing and build-to-rent developments continue to perform more strongly.

The consultancy is currently involved in the Cowbridge Road East scheme in Cardiff, a project aimed at delivering affordable and sustainable housing. It said work is ongoing to ensure the scheme remains viable while helping meet demand for new homes.

The report concludes that, despite ongoing challenges, the combination of public investment, energy transition projects and digital growth places the Welsh construction sector on a broadly positive footing for 2026 and beyond.

Tender price inflation is forecast to remain stable, with a projected rate of 3.4% in Wales for 2026, slightly below the UK average of 3.45%.