News

Pembrokeshire consultancy buys own premises

Published

5 years ago

March 12, 2019

PEMBROKESHIRE-BASED technical consultancy InSite Technical Services has completed the purchase of new premises at 1 Cleddau Bridge, Pembroke Dock.

This is an important milestone for the company, which has spent its first four years in serviced offices at the Bridge Innovation Centre, an incubation hub for new businesses. It now plans to move to the new premises, located opposite the Bridge Innovation Centre, at the end of March. The move is a result of the company’s dramatic growth. Founded after the closure of the Murco Pembrokeshire Oil Refinery, InSite has expanded from six founding directors in 2014 to its current workforce of 80, comprising a blend of full- and part-time employees, supporting contractors and associates. The company operates both locally and internationally, supplying engineering design, technical consultancy and operational services to the oil, gas, metals, chemicals, renewables, technology licensing and financial industries.

General Manager Jonathan Scarr said: “Due to our consistent growth over the past four years, we have outgrown our current premises.

“The Bridge Innovation Centre has been great at leasing additional office space to accommodate our requirements, but we have certainly stretched the intent of the incubation hub set-up, and it is time to move into our own place and spread our wings. By moving out we will be freeing up office space in the building that will allow other start-ups and growing companies to flourish.”

In order to continue serving its clients and reduce impact on its workforce, it was critical for the company to move to a building close to its current location.

Mr Scarr added: “The new premises are a mere stone’s throw away, so the location is ideal. The other major requirements were a modern purpose-built office building designed to a high specification, and sufficient space for future growth. Again, the premises over-performed on these criteria.”

In order to make the transition a smooth one, the company has created a steering committee that will plan both the refurbishment works to the new building and the actual relocation. The building is larger than InSite’s current required space, so they are also actively pursuing leasing arrangements.

Mr Scarr, who sees great potential in the new location, said: “We are in talks with a company which would be a good cultural fit with ourselves, to lease some of the surplus space.

“The main opportunities created by the move are obviously more room to grow, but also a chance to re-affirm our own identity as a company. The opportunity to change the physical appearance and configuration of the office interior will benefit the existing workforce, potential recruits and visiting clients.”

Mr Scarr added that the company has only been able to arrive at this point because of the support provided by the Bridge Innovation Centre, which is run by Pembrokeshire County Council.

“The serviced office environment was invaluable when we started out as it cut out a lot of the bureaucracy that would have come with an independent office such as long-term tenancy agreement, utility bills, internet, facilities and so on.

“We were able to move into a small office immediately and focus on winning work and delivering to clients. As we expanded, the building management team and the Council have been incredibly accommodating in offering us the additional space that we required. Without the flexible incubation hub, we would have struggled to grow as much as we have since inception four years ago.”

Crime

Unanimous verdict in Ceredigion sexual assault case

Published

10 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A CEREDIGION man has been convicted to three years and six months in prison for sexually assaulting a woman in her own bed after the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.

27-year-old Suroj Bk, from Llangrannog, was sentenced this week following a week-long trial at Swansea Crown Court (May 1).

On 7 October 2023, Dyfed-Powys Police received a report that Bk entered the victim’s home and sexually assaulted her while she lay in her bed.

When the victim realised what was happening, she kicked Bk out of her bed and called the police.

Upon receiving the report, officers quickly attended the victim’s home and conducted a thorough search of the surrounding area using police dogs and scenes of crime officers.

Evidence gathered from scene, together with extensive local enquiries, led officers to arrest Suroj Bk the next day (8 October).

While Bk was in custody, detectives, crime scene investigators, and digital forensic officers worked tirelessly to uncover the evidence that ultimately placed Suroj Bk at the scene.

After hearing the evidence, the jury took less than two hours to agree a unanimous guilty verdict.

The detective in charge of the case has praised the victim for her ‘tremendous courage’ in reporting the assault to police.

“Incidents of this nature are thankfully very rare within Ceredigion, and I’d like to reassure the community that this was an isolated incident, and that the identification and arrest of suspect was done quickly and efficiently,” said Detective Inspector Sam Gregory.

“The victim in this case demonstrated tremendous courage in reporting to police, and while this investigation was not straightforward in its nature, it was through the expertise and tenacity of forensic officers, working together with the investigation team, and the victim, that led to this successful prosecution.

“I hope the sentence given to Suroj Bk sends a clear and strong message that Dyfed-Powys Police takes reports of sexual offences seriously.

“We will listen to you, and we will work tirelessly to get justice.”

On Wednesday, 1 May 2024, Saroj Bk was sentenced to three years and six months in prison and a five-year restraining order, and he will be on the sex offenders register for life.

If you have been a victim of a crime such as this, report it to Dyfed-Powys Police either through a direct message on social media, online at: https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.

In an emergency, always call 999.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.

News

Body recovered confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, say police

Published

10 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS police have said today that the body found on Wednesday, May 1, has been confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, who was reported missing from the Pembroke Dock area on April 14.

A spokesperson for the force said: “We will continue to support the family and will assist with issuing a tribute publicly if the family wish to do so.”

In a statement, his family said: “Luke was a joyful and funny young man and always wanted to help others. He was a loving son, brother, grandson and uncle, and will be forever missed.
“We have lost a huge part of our family, and our loss is shared by his many friends who also loved him dearly.
“We would like to thank the local community for the overwhelming support we have received.”

Business

Port of Milford Haven now official ‘a great place to work’

Published

12 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PORT of Milford Haven has been officially accredited as a Great Place to Work-Certified™ organisation. As the first Port Authority in Britain to secure this Certification™, it is a significant achievement.

“We are very proud to be Great Place to Work-Certified™,” said Vidette Swales, HR Director at the Port of Milford Haven. “It means so much that our employees have reported a consistently positive experience with their colleagues, their leaders and their jobs. Offering a positive employee experience is not only beneficial for the people who work with us but is also key for our continued business success.”

Tom Sawyer, CEO at the Port of Milford Haven added: “Our team is operating the UK’s leading energy port, and it is of the utmost importance that we do that safely, responsibly and effectively. We’re striving for excellence and aim to provide a world class service to our customers as well as supporting sustainable coastal communities for the prosperity of future generations. Our employees are clearly at the centre of this which is why I’m delighted that they feel supported in their role. I’m especially proud that this Certification™ demonstrates our core values of Safety, Excellence, Collaboration and Sustainability so perfectly.”

“We congratulate the Port of Milford Haven on achieving their Certification™,” said Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place to Work® UK. “Organisations which put the employee experience at the heart of their business gain their employees’ trust and, in turn, are truly able to build a great workplace culture that delivers outstanding business results.”