CERI CRICHTON, a Pembrokeshire-based business consultant specialising in supporting charities and social enterprises, has been nominated for the UK Startup Awards in the Business, Consulting & Management StartUp of the Year category.

In just two years, her consultancy business, The Round House, has helped organisations secure nearly £1 million in funding, supporting vital initiatives that drive social change.
Ceri founded The Round House to ensure small charities and social enterprises receive the kind of practical, hands-on business support that larger organisations often take for granted.

Her work focuses on building financial confidence, strengthening governance, and helping organisations plan for long-term sustainability.

Her expertise spans fundraising, business planning, project management, and governance, enabling charities and social enterprises to grow, innovate, and deliver impactful work in their communities.

Among the organisations she has supported are Get The Boys a Lift, SNAP Specialist Play, Pembrokeshire Action for the Homeless, VC Gallery and Pembroke Town Walls Trust, along with many others that benefit from her tailored approach.

Speaking about her nomination, Ceri said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be shortlisted for this award. At The Round House, its all about collaboration and fresh thinking to help charities and social enterprises do what they do best. There are a lot of pressures facing the third sector right now, and I feel proud to support the hard work of my wonderful clients across South Wales. It’s amazing to see the difference focus and funding can make, and I feel privileged to be part of that work.”

Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE, the creator of the UK StartUp Awards, said: “New businesses are the driving force behind any thriving economy, generating employment, pioneering innovation, and contributing to prosperity across the UK. This year’s finalists embody the very best of entrepreneurial spirit – spotting opportunities and, through dedication, skill, and resilience, turning them into thriving ventures that are making a tangible difference. More importantly, all the winners will go on to represent their region at the 2025 UK National StartUp Awards final later this year”.

The UK StartUp Awards was launched to recognise the booming start-up scene across the UK. The Awards celebrate the achievements of entrepreneurs driving change in their industries.
The cohort of finalists will be considered for the regional prizes by a panel of seasoned judges with experience founding or supporting entrepreneurial ventures. The winners from each region will then be invited to the first UK final taking place at Ideas Fest, the Glastonbury for Business festival in Hertfordshire on 12th September 2025.

Ceri’s nomination reflects her outstanding contributions to the non-profit sector, from securing critical funding to guiding organisations toward long-term sustainability.
The awards take place on Thursday, June 19th in Cardiff.

ROADCHEF has unveiled six new high-powered 360kW electric vehicle chargers at its Pont Abraham site on the M4 at junction 49.

These latest additions feature 360kW charging capability and CCS connectors, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of electric vehicles. With a charge rate of up to 360kW, drivers can rapidly charge their vehicles, significantly reducing downtime during their journey.

In addition to the charging facilities, visitors to Pont Abraham Services can take advantage of a range of amenities, including 2 hours free parking, free Wi-Fi and a selection of shopping and dining options, making their charging experience both quick and convenient.

A recent report from the UK Parliament’s public accounts committee highlights the disparities in provision of EV charging infrastructure. Roadchef’s expansion at Pont Abraham directly addresses this issue by strengthening Wales’ charging network and adding to the 678 rapid and ultra-rapid charge points available across the country.

With the electric vehicle market continuing to grow, as highlighted by the SMMT, Roadchef’s continued investment in charging infrastructure is a crucial step in future-proofing Britain’s roads.

PEMBROKESHIRE HOME TO CONTINUE UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

A FAMILY-RUN residential care home near Haverfordwest has been sold after more than two decades of operation by the same family.

The Graylyns Residential Home, located in a rural setting just outside Haverfordwest, has been providing residential, dementia and respite care for up to 15 residents since it was established in 1998 by Graham and Lynne Jones.

The couple, along with their son Andrew, made the decision to sell as part of their retirement plans. The home was purchased by Lina Chirandura, an experienced care provider who already owns another care home and is expanding her portfolio in Wales.

The sale was handled by Oliver McCarthy of specialist business property adviser Christie & Co, with funding arranged through Gary Boyce at Christie Finance.

Former owner Lynne Jones said: “Graham and I have spent 26 wonderful years with our outstanding care teams, getting to know every person who has graced us with their time, memories and love. We set out to create a loving, caring and empathetic home-from-home—and I’m proud to say we achieved that.

“We have worked tirelessly over recent months to find the right person to take The Graylyns forward, and we truly believe Lina is the right choice. The home’s daily operations will remain unchanged—Andrew will continue as Manager, and all of our incredible care staff will stay in place. Most importantly, our residents and their families will continue to have their ‘forever home’.

“We are deeply grateful to all who have supported us over the last 26 years and look forward with excitement to what the future holds for The Graylyns under new ownership.”

Oliver McCarthy, Director – Care at Christie & Co, said: “I’m delighted to have completed the sale of this remarkable care home. Lina is an outstanding operator, and I have no doubt she’ll continue the exceptional standard of care the Jones family has provided. Demand for trading care homes remains strong in South Wales, and we expect this trend to continue.”

Gary Boyce, Director at Christie Finance, added: “Despite initial reluctance from mainstream lenders due to this being Lina’s first care home purchase and the smaller number of bedrooms, we were able to secure funding through our network of alternative lenders. Lina brings a wealth of experience from her background running adult and children’s care services, and we look forward to seeing her thrive at The Graylyns.”

The Graylyns Residential Home was sold for an undisclosed sum.