BUSINESS leaders, students and policymakers will gather in Pembrokeshire next month to mark International Women’s Day with an event focused on opportunity, leadership and retaining talent in West Wales.

The third annual Partners in Progress: Give to Gain conference will take place on Friday (Mar 6), bringing together established professionals and the next generation of workers to share practical advice and real-world experience.

The event is organised by Institute of Directors Wales, in partnership with Bluestone National Park Resort and the Welsh Government through Trade & Invest Wales.

Hosting the conference in West Wales, rather than a city centre, aims to highlight the growing opportunities available in regional communities and the role local employers play in keeping skilled people closer to home.

Running from 10:00am to 2:00pm, the programme will include panel discussions, site tours and networking sessions. Sixth form, college and university students will be encouraged to question speakers directly about careers, leadership and progression.

Speakers include Belinda Houghton-Jones of RBC Brewin Dolphin, Alex Shufflebottom Jones, former managing director of Shufflebottom Ltd and now an investor and mentor, Dr Owain James of Darogan, and Jane Wallace-Jones, founder of Something Different. The panel will be chaired by Richard Selby, National Chair of IoD Wales.

Organisers say the focus will be firmly practical, with businesses sharing examples of how they are developing staff, widening access to opportunity and building inclusive workplaces.

The discussion comes as Welsh firms continue to report difficulties recruiting and retaining skilled staff. IoD Wales’ latest State of the Nation survey found that skills shortages remain the biggest concern for almost four in ten organisations.

Jo Price, Nations Manager for Wales at IoD Wales, said the aim is to connect experience with ambition.

She said: “Partners in Progress is about bringing people together to tackle real challenges facing businesses and future talent in Wales.

“By connecting leaders and students in West Wales, we can share what works, build confidence and create opportunities where people live and want to work.”

Rebecca Rigby, Director of Operations at Bluestone, added: “We’re proud to host this event for a third year. It’s about creating meaningful connections between future talent and inspirational leaders, and showing what’s possible beyond the big cities.”

Thanks to Welsh Government support, tickets are fully funded, although places are limited. Standard prices are £25 plus VAT for members and £35 plus VAT for non-members.

Places can be booked online via the IoD website.

Award-winning estate agency founded during Covid expands with new office and national recognition

A WEST WALES estate agency launched at the height of the Covid pandemic is celebrating five years in business after building a strong reputation across the region.

Cardigan Bay Properties was founded in February 2021 by Helen Worrall, from Glynarthen, and Tania Dutnell, from Betws Ifan, with the aim of offering what they describe as a more personal, customer-focused approach to buying and selling homes.

Based at Aberporth Technology Park near Aberporth and serving the wider Cardigan area and beyond, the firm says it has grown steadily, moving into larger premises, expanding its team and collecting a string of industry awards.

Among its recent accolades are Residential Estate Agency of the Year at the 2025 Welsh Estate Agency Awards and a Client Service Excellence Award at the SME UK Enterprise Awards.

The founders say their success has been built on transparency and customer service.

Tania Dutnell said: “We started the business because we felt buyers and sellers deserved a better, more personal experience. Five years on, we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved and the trust our clients place in us.”

The company reports almost entirely five-star online reviews and says word-of-mouth recommendations have helped drive much of its growth.

Helen Worrall added: “We’re grateful to our families, our team and our clients for supporting us. Moving into our new office and seeing the business develop has been a real milestone, but we still have plenty of plans for the future.”

Alongside residential and commercial sales, the agency offers accompanied viewings, video tours, digital marketing tools and online portals for sellers to track viewings and offers.

The business also supports local causes and is backing the West Wales Domestic Abuse Service during 2025 and 2026.

For appointments or enquiries, the team can be contacted on 01239 562 500 or via their website.

A JOINT business advice surgery will take place later this month after more than one hundred and fifty local firms signed up to an online forum highlighting growing concerns over business rates and rising costs.

The event has been organised by Samuel Kurtz and Paul Davies, who say they were inundated with requests for further help following their recent virtual session on the business rates system.

More than one hundred and fifty businesses from across Pembrokeshire and west Wales registered for the online forum, raising questions about the Valuation Office Agency revaluation process, how rateable values are calculated and what elements can be challenged.

Both Members of the Senedd said the scale of engagement showed a clear appetite for practical, one-to-one advice.

The in-person surgery, scheduled for February 17, will give business owners the chance to discuss their individual circumstances confidentially and seek tailored guidance directly from their elected representatives.

Samuel Kurtz said the response to the forum demonstrated the pressure many firms are under.

“The response showed just how strong the demand is for clear advice and constructive engagement,” he said. “With more than one hundred and fifty registrations, it was evident that many businesses want the opportunity to explore their own situations in greater depth, and that is exactly what this advice surgery is designed to provide.

“Businesses in west Wales are at a cliff edge. Employers tell us the current business rates system is placing real strain on high streets at a time when they are already facing rising staffing, energy and supply costs. Policy should encourage investment and growth, not penalise it.”

Paul Davies added that the session would help them build a stronger case with ministers.

“We want to do everything we can to support businesses in Pembrokeshire and this surgery is a valuable opportunity to listen to their specific concerns and make representations on their behalf,” he said.

“Firms are telling us they feel like they are walking a tightrope. Whether it is rates increases, higher overheads or workforce challenges, the strain is clear. Taking real-world evidence directly to the Welsh Government is the best way to push for change.”

Businesses interested in attending are encouraged to contact the pair’s constituency offices to book an appointment.

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Offering support: Paul Davies MS and Samuel Kurtz MS (Pic: Supplied)