Business News Wales Podcasts

One final time Co Founder Dan Langford, talks to host Mark Powney from Business News Wales about the final events held this week, his overall highlights, achievements and what is in store for 2023.

Today Co Founder Dan Langford, talks to host Mark Powney from Business News Wales about the some of the latest events and discussions taking place at Wales Week London.

Today Co Founders Dan Langford, talks to host Mark Powney from Business News Wales about the some of the latest events and discussions taking place at Wales Week London.

Today Co Founders Dan Langford, and Mike Jordon are joined by guests including the Switzerland ambassador Markus Leitner, actor Guy Masterson and Head of UK Projects at Furrer+Frey AG, Noel Dolphin who talk to host Mark Powney from Business News Wales about the some of the latest events today at Wales Week London.

Today Dan Langford, talks to host Mark Powney from Business News Wales about the Rugby weekend and what's coming up this week in Wales Week London.

Today Dan Langford, talks to host Mark Powney from Business News Wales about the final leg of this first week of Wales Week London.

Welcome to day 3 of the Wales Week London daily podcast, exploring the of activities and events that celebrate and promote everything that is great about Wales, in London and around the world.

Welcome to day 2 of the Wales Week London daily podcast, exploring the of activities and events that celebrate and promote everything that is great about Wales, in London and around the world.

Welcome to the Wales Week London daily podcast, exploring the of activities and events that celebrate and promote everything that is great about Wales, in London and around the world. Each day Join Co-Founders Dan Langford and Mike Jordan and guests, talk to host Mark Powney from Business News Wales about the latest happenings from this annual showcase.

In this edition, Carwyn Jones meets the Founder and CEO of the company that is tipped to be one of Wales' first "unicorn" businesses, Dean Ward at DWS Group. The company specialise in Property and Development Marketing, who have gone from zero to a staggering £350 million in its turnover within only the three years of its operation. Dean also shares what drove him to start his own business after spending 18 years in the property development and land registry sectors.

Mark Powney, Editor-in-Chief at Business News Wales, speaks exclusively to Lesley Griffiths MS, the Welsh Minister for Rural Affairs, North Wales and Trefnydd. They discuss the Senedd's latest scheme to get more local food & drink produce on our supermarket shelves, the Senedd's vision for Welsh agriculture over the next 10 years, and exploring the potential export opportunities for the Welsh food & drink industry.

This week, Carwyn welcomes Ben Cottam, Head of Wales for the FSB, and Robert Lloyd-Griffiths, the National Director Wales for the Institute of Directors - who this week makes a big announcement regarding his future with the IoD.

This week, Carwyn welcomes Richard Selby, the National Chair for the Institute of Directors, and Siwan Rees, the Senior Programme Manager of Impact Innovation.

This week, Carwyn is joined by Ben Cottam from the FSB, Ian Price from CBI Wales, and welcomes for the first time Connie Dixon from Openreach.

This week, Carwyn is joined by Robert Lloyd Griffiths, Kellie Beirne and Katy Chamberlain to take a closer look at the new and interesting ministerial appointments in Welsh Government following the May 2021 Elections, and how well they think these ministers will fare in tackling some of Wales' most crucial questions and issues.

In this Digital Discussion, Carwyn meets Steve Hughson, the Chief Executive of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society to discuss how the pandemic restrictions have affected operations for the famous Royal Welsh Show, and what he and the organisation are hoping to do for the next Royal Welsh Show in 2022.

In this Digital Discussion, Carwyn Jones is joined by Dr. Sally Lewis, Navjot Kalra, and Professor Hamish Laing to investigate how Wales can maximise the very best outcomes in both the health and social care systems whilst maintaining the funding available.

In this Business News Wales Exclusive Interview, Managing Editor Mark Powney speaks to the newly appointed Welsh Minister for Economy, Vaughan Gething. He speaks on some of the challenges he is keen to tackle in the role and Wales' potential in becoming an economic hub for international investment.

In this episode of the Wales Business Review, host Carwyn Jones is joined by guests Ashley Rogers, Alwen Williams and Gareth Jones to discuss North Wales' Transition Towards a Carbon Zero Economy.

Delivering economic transformation for a better future of work, welcome to the 4th episode of the series, hosted by Mark Powney of Business News Wales, with guests Andrew Beaney, Managing Consultant at Box UK, and technology consultant Tegid Roberts. In this episode, the guests will focus on the impact of covid-19 and the effect this will have on the future of work in Wales.

In this episode of Carwyn Meets, Carwyn speaks to Siwan Rees, Entrepreneurship Development Manager at NatWest Wales. PLEASE NOTE: This interview was recorded pre Covid-19.

Welcome to the eighth episode of Wales Business Review. This week former First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones is joined by Frank Holmes, Cardiff Capital Region Chair and Founding Partner, Gambit Corporate Finance LLP and Robert Lloyd Griffiths, Director of IoD

This week former First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones is joined by Alwen Williams, Programme Director at North Wales Economic Ambition Board and Wayne Preece, Group CEO, Hydro Industries.  

Welcome to the sixth episode of Wales Business Review. This week former First Minister of Wales is joined by Frank Holmes, Cardiff Capital Region Chair and Founding Partner, Gambit Corporate Finance LLP and Oliver Conger, Managing Director of Rototherm.

Welcome to the sixth episode of Wales Business Review. This week former First Minister of Wales is joined by Katy Chamberlain, Chief Executive of Business in Focus, and Nick Pearce, co-founder of Object-Matrix.

Please note this week's show was recorded via video conferencing to watch - https://businessnewswales.com/podcastwales-business-review-episode-4-coronavirus-special/ A weekly Business News Wales podcast, hosted by former First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones. This week Carwyn is joined by Ben Cottam, Head of External Affairs of FSB Wales, and Robert Lloyd Griffiths, Director of IoD Wales in this coronavirus special.

The future for so many is very unclear at the moment and in this coronavirus special of The Wales Business Review, we explore some of the issues affecting businesses in Wales.  Former first minister Carwyn Jones hosts two guests, Ian Price, director of the CBI in Wales and Ken Skates, Minister for Economy and Transport.

Ken Skates, Minister for Transport and the Economy talks to Mark Powney, Managing Director of Business News Wales about the funding available to businesses across Wales. This is a huge, unprecedented crisis that we're facing, probably the biggest crisis in terms of economic fallout since World War 2. We expect further support to come from U.K. government in the form of a wage subsidy scheme that's absolutely essential in order to keep businesses afloat and to ensure that people have money going into their pockets during this incredibly difficult time. I've spoken with colleagues and counterparts in Westminster about the need for a wage subsidy scheme and I hope that we will hear something in a matter of days. The ideal way of securing the grants would be through local authorities with whom we're in discussion. Our aim is to utilise existing systems rather than develop new application processes that could lead to lengthy applications being made. We want to avoid that. We want the simplest, cleanest way of getting money out the door. We're working with local authorities as fast as we possibly can. The money will be available to us from UK government from the start of the financial year. We are looking at making sure that we can tie together support from across governments, from the banks, from the Development Bank of Wales and from other agencies. All information about support will be available in a simple dashboard that we'll be tweeting out from my account every single day. I've spoken today with the high street banks and the Development Bank of Wales and I made the comments to the high street banks, that they need to show the same sort of support that they had back in 2008. I think it's fair to say that the UK government have heard the message loud and clear that we need to be there as an integral part of forming interventions so that when announcements are made, we as a Welsh government are able to say, yes, that will apply in Wales and we want to make sure that we can because we recognise that it's going to have to be a consistent message for businesses across the UK during what will be a very turbulent period. Whatever political differences there may be between myself and ministers in Westminster, they don't matter. They do not matter. Now we are all turning our guns in the direction of Coronavirus, and we will work together regardless of political differences to overcome this huge challenge. That's what the people of our country would expect. We've got a discretionary fund opening which will target money at those viable businesses that just need a bridge. I think it's safe to say that the shape of the economy will change quite considerably over the next 12 to 24 months. So too, will human behaviours. And I've already set up a very tight team within government that are looking at the recovery phase from Coronavirus.

Professor Dylan Jones-Evans talks to Mark Powney, Managing Director of Business News Wales about the impact the coronavirus will have on the economy, and how it’s not all bad news. Interview Highlights The economy will fall by 15%-20% over the next two quarters and it will be a difficult time for many. If the government does what it says it's going to do and businesses are protected from the worse of it, there is no reason why we won't have a rapid bounce back in 2021. The UK Government may take on the liability for insurance claims within the hospitality sector. Brexit resulted in businesses building up their balance sheets and it is estimated that there is about £750billion of cash in the corporate sector in the UK which will provide the economy with a strong buffer. The working population wasn’t enabled to work from home in previous recessions, the flexibility wasn’t there and this is something that will change in the future. The crisis will offer an opportunity for some businesses to take a step back and reflect on the future.

Ben Cottam Head of External Affairs at FSB Cymru talks to Mark Powney, Managing Director of Business News Wales about the role of government in the coronavirus crisis and why small businesses need the support from everyone. Interview Highlights There is a high level of concern and uncertainly in a fast-moving situation as businesses question their ability to keep trading Unlike Brexit, we have a situation outside of businesses control. One of the problems we have is the inconsistency within government. Welsh Government hear the announcement at the same time as the general public and then they have to go away and figure out the numbers in terms of what it means for them and how they can then deliver it in Wales so we get a delay in Wales which is difficult when there is such urgency. My message to the UK and Welsh Governments that it is the expectation of business that they work closely together with a more seamless approach. We don’t want to have a chase situation every time an announcement is made by the UK government. It's great to see that the business rates announcement will be matched by Welsh Government and that’s a positive. With the increase in cash support, we wait to see whether this will be matched in Wales as it absolutely should be. Will the level of support that’s been announced in England be replicated in Wales? Businesses in Wales should be able to expect that same level of support. How will the Welsh Government get the £100Million of funding out the door which is the topic most brought up in conversation with our members. We will get to a point in weeks to come where the situation stabilises, it may not be comfortable but businesses will adapt Homeworking is important but how do we motivate people, how do we make sure they are not too distant and ensure that mental health doesn’t become an issue. When we come out of this it will be important to ask ourselves how do we create a more resilient economy and an economy that can weather any future hits Small businesses will need support from everyone, shop local buy local and support those who need it.

David Chapman, Executive Director for Wales for UKHospitality, talks to Mark Powney, Managing Director of Business News Wales about the impact the coronavirus will have on the hospitality industry. Interview Highlights The last 10 days have been absolutely savage for the hospitality industry across all parts of Wales. There has been a cliff-edge fall off for visitors to pubs and hotels and it's created a critical cashflow problem. A large hotel employer on March the 1st had a 74% occupancy and is now down to 20% Lots of venues are concerned not only for their own business but also for the people that work for them, its an emotional as well as economic impact. Some of our hospitality businesses are not just providing a service they are part of the local community and play a big part in supporting local supply chains. In Pembrokeshire and Gwynedd local people are dependent on the industry for their livelihood. Some Large Welsh hospitality businesses could be a victim of the crisis and it's highly likely we will loose a really big name in the industry.

Cardiff Capital Region (CCR)  reveals ‘Resilient’, the third in a series of three analytical reports designed to provide robust and reliable data on a range of economic, social and environmental indicators to better understand the performance of the region.

Welcome to the second episode of Wales Business Review. A weekly Business News Wales podcast, hosted by former First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones. This week Carwyn is joined by Heather Myers, CEO of South and Mid Wales Chambers of Commerce, and Robert Lloyd Griffiths, Director of IoD Wales.

In this episode of Carwyn Meets, Carwyn speaks to Huw Thomas, Leader of Cardiff Council.

Welcome to the first ever episode of our Wales Business Review podcast. A weekly Business News Wales podcast, hosted by former First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones. This week Carwyn is joined by Ben Cottam, Head of External Affairs of FSB Wales, and Robert Lloyd Griffiths, Director of IoD Wales, to discuss the Flybe failure, the impact of coronavirus, and how Wales is leading the world in environmental technology.

In this Episode of Carwyn Meets, Carwyn speaks to William McNamara, CEO of Bluestone

Cardiff Capital Region  launches second in a series of “State of the Region” reports CCR Economic Growth Partnership Board Member, Kevin Gardiner and CCR Chief Operating Officer Rhys Thomas talk to Mark Powney, MD Business News Wales about the essential role competitiveness plays in delivering the CCR Industrial and Economic plan, how this data will be used to drive City Deal decision making and the positive signs we are starting to see with regard to the diversity of existing businesses and our  growing skills base. The third and final part of the series “Resilient” will be published and discussed in March.

Rachael Flanagan runs a multi-million-pound business employing over 250 staff throughout Wales and the West. With her go-getter attitude and drive for success, she is truly an inspiration to all. Starting her business, Mrs Bucket Cleaning Services, at the age of 18 after failing her business A-level, she started her business with just £20 of black and white flyers and distributed them around the area. The response was better than Rachael anticipated and she was inundated with enquiries so decided to rope in some carefully chosen staff to help. Ten years on, Rachael Flanagan has created an impressive management team who run the day to day business now, enabling her to work ‘on the business, not in it’ as well as mentoring other entrepreneurs and small business owners on helping them take their business to another level.

Cllr Huw Thomas talks to Mark Powney, Business News Wales Managing Director about why he believes that it is essential we attend Mipim and what we collectively hope to achieve.

Cllr Andrew Morgan Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council and Chair of Regional Cabinet Cardiff Capital Region talks to Mark Powney Business News Wales Managing Director about why he believes that it is essential we attend Mipim and what we collectively hope to achieve.

Wondering why some the winners of the inaugural FinTech Awards Wales entered and what they have been up to? Business News Wales catches up with winners from Confused.com, Delio and Credas and hears more about the future of FinTech in Wales in a special podcast hosted by Matthew Hyde from Recruit 121.

Kellie Beirne was appointed as Chief Executive of Cardiff Capital Region City Deal in mid-2018. The City Deal is a £1.28 billion GVA-growth and jobs programme, involving ten South Wales local authorities. She moved from a post as Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Enterprise Officer at Monmouthshire County Council , where she gained a reputation for bringing innovation and innovative ways of working, often private-sector-derived, into the world of public service delivery.She has previously been Director of Innovation and Enterprise and Chief Officer, Regeneration and Culture at Monmouthshire Council. Before that, she undertook roles in a South Wales Housing Association and in local authority Housing policy.Kellie is Co-Chair of the Innovation Advisory Council for Wales and has been a Prince of Wales Innovation Scholar (POWIS).

Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) has launched “Connected”, the first in a series of three analytical reports designed to provide robust and reliable data on a series of economic, social and environmental indicators to better understand the performance of the region. On this podcast, CCR Economic Growth Partnership Chair, Frank Holmes and Board Member Chris Sutton talk to Mark Powney, MD Business News Wales about the context for these reports, the essential role connectivity plays in delivering the CCR Industrial and economic plan and some of the great strides that are being taken in this direction through the various investment programmes currently under consideration across the region and in particular through the CCR City Deal.

As part of our Daily Insights Podcast Series, Business News Wales Editor, Mark Powney, interviews Deputy Minister For the Economy Lee Waters. The Importance of the foundational economy and its link to economic prosperity for Wales is clear but how does this dovetail into the climate emergency, social enterprise and changes in procurement? What about our startup community? What does the future hold for organisations such as Business Wales? How realistic is Welsh independence? and of course, we have a new prime minister and government what will the Welsh government be doing to build bridges and of course protect existing powers?

In this episode, Carwyn sits down with Lisa Lucas, Senior Research Officer at MADE Wales Lisa Lucas  has primary responsibility for managing the collaborations with SMEs in delivering the MADE project.MADE Wales is a suite of EU-funded projects delivered by University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) through its Centre for Advanced Batch Manufacture (CBM), tailor-made for Welsh SME's and individuals to plug into the power of disruptive technologies, in order to boost productivity. www.MADECymru.co.uk

Lyndon started constructaquote.com in 1990, aged just 19. He was struggling financially and had to live out of his car when he landed a commission only insurance job. He had no experience in the industry but needed a wage to support his family. Nine months later he decided to take control of his career and started constructaquote. It took a lot of persuading to get insurance companies to trust this rookie, but when Lyndon won his first insurer over, others soon followed. By the time Lyndon was 26 he was a millionaire, and by 28 he was a multimillionaire. He hasn’t looked back since.

Wealthify’s CEO and co-founder, Dr Richard Theo is a Cardiff-based award-winning entrepreneur. Technology is at the heart of everything Richard does, having used his PhD in computer sciences to established a number of successful tech companies, including ActiveQuote Ltd, the UK's leading comparison site and broker of health insurance, income protection & life insurance, and most recently, Wealthify.

Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE has been championing entrepreneurship in Wales for the last 20 years and is the creator of the Wales Fast Growth 50 which identifies the nation’s fastest growing firms every year. With academic publications in the field of entrepreneurship and innovation, a best-selling textbook on enterprise and regular media commentary on economic development in Wales and beyond.

Director of CBI Wales, Ian heads up the CBI office in Wales, responsible for representing the majority of major businesses in Wales in their dealings with government and its support functions. He also looks after all recruitment and retention of members. He is consistently lobbying government in Cardiff and Westminster to ensure that the view of business is always taken into account when formulating policy. Ian is also Chair Wales Apprenticeship Advisory Board, carrying out reviews of apprenticeship delivery in Wales.  Prior to CBI Ian has held several senior roles within business. Ian was in the Royal Air Force for nine years and served in the Falklands during 1982 and received the South Atlantic Campaign medal. He has one daughter and lives in Mumbles. He is an enthusiastic runner, having completed numerous half and full marathons, and is a lifelong Swansea City fan.

Previous to his appointment as Prince’s Trust Cymru Director, Mr Jones was the Wales Area Manager for The Royal British Legion during a time of that charity’s transformation. Previously, he served in the Armed Forces for over 25 years as an officer in The Royal Welsh.  His roles included overseeing the delivery of combat and leadership training, media and strategic communications, and planning and delivering intelligence training both in the UK and abroad. Phil’s family hail from Lampeter and Llandullas. He was born in Bicester, Oxfordshire and attended Lord Williams's School, Thame, before being commissioned into the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in 1986.

What is ethical banking and how is it different from the traditional model? Is it the solution to growing a more sustainable Wales?