Business
Marine renewable opportunities set to surge
PEMBROKESHIRE businesses are set to benefit from imminent developments in the renewable energy industry following two key announcements made by Marine Energy Pembrokeshire last week. The Crown Estate’s selection of Wave Hub – the organisation behind the world’s most advanced site for the testing and development of renewable energy – as the organisation to manage Pembrokeshire’s designated Demonstration Zone, and the signing of a collaboration agreement between Marine Energy Pembrokeshire and South West Marine Energy Park, is welcome news for local businesses and the area as a whole. The Port of Milford Haven’s strategy, supported by their significant investment, has positioned and equipped Pembroke Port to become a key delivery centre for this growing industry. Pembrokeshire’s powerful natural resource for wave and tide, existing grid connectivity and recently improved road links coupled with the Port’s deep water quay, industrial sheds and extensive lay-down space are already beginning to attract considerable interest. Local businesses that employ highly skilled engineering personnel who are accustomed to servicing the cluster of energy facilities on the Haven will play a critical role as delivery partners. Based on a recent study by Regeneris Consulting and the Welsh Economy Research Unit at Cardiff Business School, the development of marine energy in Wales has the potential, in the next 3-4 years, to support £72m of Gross Value Added (GVA) and create over 2,000 personyears of employment during the development and installation phase, and £2m GVA with 50 FTE jobs per annum during the operational and maintenance phase. Kevin Hobbs, Short Sea Director for the Port of Milford Haven with responsibility for Pembroke Port, commented: “We are committed to developing Pembroke Port into a centre of excellence for marine renewables and engineering. Existing infrastructure and on-site specialist supply chain companies experienced in engineering and fabrication and operation of work-boats and barges are combining to create an exciting opportunity for businesses in and around the Port. “Our commitment to the industry is already being realised by Tidal Energy Limited, the company behind the Delta Stream concept which aims to harness the power of tidal flow to generate power. They chose Pembroke Port as their operational base early in 2013 and are currently preparing their device for deployment in Ramsey Sound later this summer.” Managing Director for Tidal Energy Ltd, Martin Murphy, said: “We are pleased with how our project has progressed. Pembroke Port’s flexible approach and the excellent facilities there, as a base from which to store and assemble components, deploy, monitor and maintain wave and tidal energy projects such as ours, has made a significant difference to us in advancing this innovative project.” Kevin Hobbs added: “The Pembrokeshire economy has benefited from the busy oil and gas port at Milford Haven for decades, but in recent years shipping has declined and the Port is looking to diversify in order to continue to support the level of employment the area has become accustomed to. A master-planning process for Pembroke Port is under way that is looking at areas within the site that could be adapted for use as a potential manufacturing base for wave and tidal devices. “The major announcements by Marine Energy Pembrokeshire this week are exciting news and highlight what can be achieved through collaboration between business, communities, and local and national government. At Pembroke Port we look forward to continuing to collaborate and work in partnership with all agencies so that, together, we can maximise the long term economic benefits from Pembrokeshire’s existing natural resource and skilled personnel.”
ASHMOLE & Co are delighted to announce that Gwenllian Phillips, in the Cardigan office, has completed her studies and passed all her exams to become a qualified member of the ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants).
Gwenllian, who is from Cardigan, joined the Ashmole & Co team as a Trainee Accountant in August 2020, after graduating from Aberystwyth University with a First in Accounting and Finance.
Karl Wilcox, Partner in Ashmole & Co’s Cardigan office said, “We are all so proud of Gwenllian and her fantastic achievements. She has become an integral part of our team in the Cardigan office.
“It’s been an absolute pleasure to watch her going from strength to strength. It is important as a profession that we help to train the next generation of accountants. Qualified staff members are the lifeblood for the future success of our firm.”
Gwenllian’s day to day responsibilities include completing VAT returns, assisting in audit work and preparing end of year accounts for local sole traders, partnerships and limited companies.
Gwenllian said, “I am grateful to Ashmole and Co for being so supportive since I started and helping me gain my qualifications. I am enjoying working with local businesses and knowing that I am helping them with their needs. There has been a lot to learn and remember with every set of accounts being different but that means that every day is different which makes the role really interesting.”
Gwenllian lives in Cardigan and in her spare time enjoys going to yoga classes, reading and walking in the countryside around Ceredigion.
If you would like to contact Ashmole & Co’s Cardigan office in Manchester House on Grosvenor Hill, please telephone: 01239 612162 or email: cardigan@ashmole.co.uk
Ashmole & Co are one of the largest chartered certified accountants in Wales. The rapidly expanding and modern firm often has job opportunities for enthusiastic individuals both qualified and non-qualified within the organisation.
If you feel you have the qualities to be part of the team at Ashmole & Co, please email, with your CV attached, to AshmoleHR@ashmole.co.uk.
Alternatively, apply for a specific vacancy listed on the website: www.ashmole.co.uk
FFION LEWIS has been promoted to lead distiller at award-winning In the Welsh Wind Distillery, based at Tanygroes, near Cardigan, after completing a Foundation Apprenticeship in Brewing.
Now the 22-year-old’s learning journey has been rewarded with the Foundation Apprentice of the Year award at the annual Apprenticeship, Employment and Skills Awards held by Cambrian Training Company, one of Wales’ leading work-based learning providers.
There was a double celebration for In the Welsh Wind which also won the Small Employer of the Year award.
Ffion joined In the Welsh Wind as an apprentice distiller after returning home to Mid Wales from New Zealand where she lived for three years and has played a key role in the development of whiskey making at the distillery
With a background in laboratory work, the job was perfect for her. Having now progressed to a leadership qualification with Chwarae Teg Women’s Career Development Programme, Ffion says the Foundation Apprenticeship improved her confidence, self-esteem and employability.
Ffion, who is now supporting other apprentices within the business, said: “It means a lot to win this award. I think apprenticeships are really important. I had previously worked in a microbiology lab in New Zealand and didn’t have any experience in distilling before doing my apprenticeship.
“I was really happy to find a job in a job at In the Welsh Wind when I returned to West Wales.”
Recognising employers and learners who have excelled in apprenticeship, skills and employment training programmes delivered by Cambrian Training Company, the awards were held at The Metropole Hotel & Spa, Llandrindod Wells.
The other Foundation Apprentice of the Year finalist was Ryan Harding, 26, Kepak, Merthyr Tydfil who lives in Blaenavon.
With offices in Welshpool, Holyhead, Colwyn Bay, Llanelli and Llanelwedd, Cambrian Training Company delivers work-based apprenticeships across Wales.
Arwyn Watkins, OBE, the company’s managing director, congratulated Hannah and all the award winners and finalists for their achievement despite the challenging disruptions caused by the pandemic over the past two years.
“These awards showcase the dedication and commitment by individuals and companies to the apprenticeship programme here in Wales,” he added. “Ffion has demonstrated what can be achieved in career progression through apprenticeships.”
The Apprenticeship Programme in Wales is funded by the Welsh Government with support from the European Social Fund.
THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD OF WALES visiting Ceredigion will be an excellent opportunity to promote local businesses and boost the local economy.
In addition to the surge in visitors to the county, a number of Ceredigion businesses have taken advantage of the opportunity to sell their products at trade stands at the Eisteddfod.
Ceredigion County Council supports local/small businesses, and we are pleased that some have accepted the invitation to showcase their products in wooden huts at Pentre’ Ceredigion’s stand on the Maes.
We welcome the opportunity to show that Ceredigion is a good place to do business, and it will be an opportunity for the businesses to promote and sell their products.
Around 15 companies from Ceredigion will take advantage of the wooden huts during the week. These include Pethau Melys, Galeri Gwyn, Bay Coffee Roasters, CreatEmAber, Yoga Essentials, Canfas, Tonnau Surf, U Melt Me, Gwella, L P-D, Atebol, Coffi & Bara, In the Welsh Wind, Recover Eden, and Aberdabbadoo.
There will also be an opportunity for people to learn more about food and drink companies in the county during the daily cooking demonstrations at 11:30am in Pentre’ Ceredigion. Pop by for a treat for your tastebuds.
One local company who has taken advantage of this is the craft business L P-D. Lowri Pugh-Davies from Llangybi said: “This is a brilliant opportunity for my small business. I’m extremely grateful for the privilege and the chance to trade along with other businesses from Ceredigion, and only a stone throws away from my home. The experience will be even more special for me as this will be the first Eisteddfod where I’ll be taking a stand, and the biggest event for my small business. Thank you very much for the invaluable opportunity.”
Why not visit other areas in Ceredigion during the Eisteddfod period. You can get a glimpse of what the county has to offer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBFvGg23UqA
Councillor Clive Davies, Ceredigion County Council Cabinet Member for the Economy and Regeneration, said: “Ceredigion businesses have so much to offer and the National Eisteddfod’s visit to the county is a truly fantastic opportunity to celebrate and promote that. It will be lovely to see visitors venturing to every part of Ceredigion to get a taste and support local businesses, as well as finding interesting companies on the Maes itself. Ceredigion County Council is proud to support small businesses too by offering slots in the wooden trading huts during the week. Remember to drop by.”
You can see Pentre’ Ceredigion’s full timetable on our website: www.ceredigion.gov.uk/eisteddfod
You can also download the Eisteddfod app and find more Information on the Eisteddfod’s website, www.eisteddfod.cymru, and follow us on social media:
Facebook: @CeredigionCountyCouncil
Twitter: @CeredigionCC
Instagram: @CaruCeredigion
Remember to share your photos too by using the hashtags #Steddfod2022 and #EisteddfodCeredigion.
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