Business

Welsh financial services graduate scheme boosted as Principality joins

Published

11 years ago

August 29, 2014

WALES’ pioneering Financial Services Graduate Scheme has welcomed Principality on board as its latest participating member, joining Atradius, Admiral, GMAC UK PLC and Composite Legal Expenses. The Welsh building society joins as the increasingly popular programme recruits additional participants for September.

Current programme graduate, Sam Griffiths, who will be spending his next placement with the Principality said: “The major attraction of the programme was to gain experience in big, established financial services companies. The fact that they are based in Wales is the icing on the cake. Wales’ pool of talent is huge and it is a shame that many of the region’s talented graduates feel obliged to start or indeed further their careers outside Wales, due to the lack of perceived opportunities. “The recent introduction of the Principality to the scheme shows that this ambitious programme is not only thriving, but also really gathering some momentum in how it is viewed by other major Welsh financial services companies.” The programme, partially funded by Welsh Government’s Sector Priority Fund, aims to foster homegrown talent in order to create future leaders and professionals in the sector, which has a strong – and growing – presence in Wales. Offering graduates the chance to experience a professional career in financial services first hand, the scheme gives participants twoyear paid placements, spanning the participating businesses. Those on the scheme will receive structured training, professional qualification and vitally important work experience in key roles such as underwriting, account management and finance, across the participating businesses. Through this collaborative approach, Wales, which has a strong financial services employer presence, is able to inspire and develop a talent pool of future financial services professionals. Anne Middleton, Welsh Chair of the National Skills Academy for Financial Services and HR Manager at Atradius, key in conceptualising and launching the scheme, said: “It’s a real boost that Principality has joined us. Not only because of its importance as a major player on the Welsh financial landscape, but also, with a branch network which reaches all over Wales, it also bring a whole new ‘High Street’ dimension to the scheme, giving participants exposure to another facet of the experience of working in financial services.” Ian Wainwright, Head of Learning and Development at Principality, said: “As a mutual building society, we have a commitment to the people of Wales on many levels, not simply financially but also at community level and beyond. This programme is a fantastic way for us to give something back – helping talented Welsh graduates get a firm foot on the career ladder. But it is also an excellent way for us to join other financial services businesses in creating a base of home grown talent, which will, over time, help secure the future of Wales as a financial service industry centre of excellence.” Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Ken Skates, said: “It is fantastic to see The Principality joining this pioneering scheme, which continues to go from strength to strength. As a mutual building society, it brings so much to this partnership and will play a pivotal role in developing skills and talent within Wales’ financial services sector. “We want to see more of our employers in priority sectors working together and sharing responsibility for training and professional development. This is one of the hallmarks of a sustainable skills system and is a key to our forthcoming Skills Implementation Plan, which I will launch later this month.” The programme would like to hear from businesses and graduates interested in participating. Please contact Rowena O’Sullivan for further details Rowena.O’Sullivan@ atradius.com

Business

Cardigan shop wins St David’s Day competition

Published

3 hours ago

March 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

CARDIGAN Curiosities has won the St David’s Day shop window award for the Cardigan division, an accolade presented by Menter Iaith Ceredigion.

High Street businesses and Guildhall shops embraced the festivities, decorating their windows in a vibrant display to celebrate the national day of Wales and the arrival of spring. The event, which highlighted the Welsh language, saw enthusiastic participation from across Ceredigion.

To mark the occasion and show appreciation for the community, Cardigan Curiosities is offering the chance to win an exclusive piece of local artwork. The prize is a one-of-a-kind watercolour painting of the nave of St David’s Cathedral, created by a Pembrokeshire artist. The framed artwork measures 74×95 cm.

To enter the competition, participants must:

Visit the Cardigan Curiosities Facebook or Instagram page
Like the competition post
Comment with their favourite Welsh word

The winner will be drawn on March 20 by “Ddraig Goch” from inside a dragon egg, with the announcement made that evening on social media.

For those interested in viewing the artwork or the decorated shop window, Cardigan Curiosities is located at 32A Cardigan High Street and is open Thursday to Sunday, from 10:00am to 5:00pm.

Business

Calling all creatives, join this month’s advice and networking drop-in!

Published

2 days ago

March 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

CREATIVE WEST WALES and Pembrokeshire’s Business Team will join forces at a drop in session this month to celebrate and support the region’s amazing creative industries.

Established companies, freelancers or those considering a new start-up, are invited to visit the Bridge Innovation Centre, Pembroke Dock on Friday, 28^th March, 9am to 12pm to find out what business support is available from a range of organisations including Pembrokeshire County Council, Business Wales, FSB and Visit Pembrokeshire.

A networking session will offer a chance to meet fellow creatives, explore potential collaborations, and meet representatives from Yr Egin, Creative Wales and the Creative West Wales Network to find out more about assistance available for talented people in the West Wales area, especially those in the music, screen, gaming, publishing and animation sectors.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Creative Industries Officer Anwen Baldwin said: “There is a wealth of creative talent in this area which should be celebrated and supported.

“We host a popular Business Drop In event on the last Friday of each month. It’s great to be able to focus on the creative industries this month and offer an opportunity to find out more about what support is available, discuss challenges and network with other local people from these sectors.”

If you would like to showcase your work during this event please email [email protected]

Refreshments available, register via Eventbrite Digwyddiad Galw Heibio i Fusnesau / Drop In Business Support & Networking Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

Business

Launch of Celtic Freeport ‘vital’ for economic growth and clean energy

Published

2 days ago

March 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

CELTIC FREEPORT AT MILFORD HAVEN AND PORT TALBOT TO DRIVE UK ECONOMIC GROWTH MISSION

THE CELTIC FREEPORT has been officially launched, bringing significant inward investment to South West Wales and taking a major step towards creating thousands of new jobs, the Welsh Government announced this week.

It also re-affirmed its commitment to £26 million of UK Government investment.

The freeport, covering the ports of Milford Haven and Port Talbot, is set to play a crucial role in the UK’s clean energy future. It spans multiple industries, including clean energy developments, fuel terminals, power generation, heavy engineering, and the steel sector.

Businesses operating within the freeport area will benefit from substantial UK and Welsh Government tax breaks and customs exemptions to encourage investment. The initiative is expected to attract £8.4 billion in private and public investment, generate 11,500 new jobs, and contribute £8.1 billion in economic value (GVA) to the region.

The freeport was launched at an event in Cardiff, attended by Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens and Rebecca Evans, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning.

***Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens on a visit to Associated British Ports at Port Talbot***

“Significant step towards a renewable energy superpower”

Jo Stevens, Secretary of State for Wales, said: “This Government has a Plan for Change focused on delivering economic growth and ensuring the UK becomes a renewable energy superpower. This announcement is a significant step towards achieving those ambitions.

“The Celtic Freeport will create up to 11,500 well-paid, highly skilled jobs and could leverage up to £8.4 billion in investment.

“The UK Government has committed £26 million to the freeport, alongside significant incentives from both the UK and Welsh Governments. I am very pleased to see two governments working in partnership to deliver for the people of Wales.”*

“A vital cog in the UK’s low-carbon economy”

Rebecca Evans, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, said: “The official opening of the Celtic Freeport sends another clear signal to the world that the industrial heartlands of South Wales are a vital cog in the UK’s low-carbon economy.

“We are already seeing real enthusiasm across the region and beyond to capitalise on the skills and job opportunities that this new industrial age will provide. The Welsh Government will be at Celtic’s side, offering major tax reliefs to attract business investment.

“The Freeport will also be able to use future non-domestic rates revenues to fund vital infrastructure and skills projects, benefiting Port Talbot and Milford Haven for generations to come.”

Freeport projects already making progress

Following the successful launch, Luciana Ciubotariu, CEO of Celtic Freeport, highlighted the rapid progress of key projects: “The Celtic Freeport is making significant strides forward with milestones such as planning consents for LanzaTech’s sustainable aviation fuel production plants, RWE’s Pembroke Green Hydrogen plant, and the launch of the Milford Haven CO₂ Project.

“Other major developments include H2 Energy and Trafigura’s West Wales Hydrogen project securing a hydrogen CfD, Haush establishing a green energy HQ, and the approval of wind turbine developments to expand Dragon Energy’s Renewables Park.

“These initiatives, alongside investments in battery energy storage by RWE and port infrastructure at Port Talbot, are accelerating South Wales’ reindustrialisation and driving a decarbonised economy rich in evolving and new industries.”

A cleaner, greener future

The Celtic Freeport aims to establish a green investment and innovation corridor, driving inward investment, skills development, and national decarbonisation. Key focus areas include:

Floating offshore wind (FLOW) in the Celtic Sea
Hydrogen economy and sustainable fuels
Carbon capture and storage
Cleaner steel production
Low-carbon logistics

As one of 12 Freeports across the UK, the Celtic Freeport will play a pivotal role in the UK Government’s Growth Mission, supporting the transition to green industries and creating thousands of high-quality jobs for local communities.

(Cover image: Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens – Speaking at the Celtic Freeport event in Cardiff)