Campaigning and Policy Activity
๐ Following the recent election and subsequent appointment of new First Minister of Wales Vaughan Gething MS, in welcoming his appointment, FSB has called for the First Minister and his government to prioritise issues affecting smaller businesses and the economy.
This includes revisiting on his predecessor’s decision to cut small business rate relief for hospitality businesses from 40% to 40% and to institute a longer-term vision for the economy and develop a Wales New Deal for Business agenda based on the approach taken in Scotland. You can read our press release here
๐ Following the appointment of the First Minister, FSB Head of Wales Ben Cottam appeared on BBC One Wales ‘Wales Live’ show as part of a panel looking at the challenges and priorities for the new First Minister. The programme was a chance to explore some of our calls on hospitality. You can watch the show here
๐ FSB Wales Deputy Head of Policy Felix Milbank gave evidence to the Senedd’s Economy & Rural Affairs Committee in March as part of the Committee’s Inquiry into the Green Economy in Wales. The session, which heard from other contibutors on the subject explored the adaption of green technologies and processes by smaller businesses and the challenges in accessing and supporting the development of green skills as well as the opportunities in the supply chain of large-scale energy infrastructure projects. Click here to watch a recording of this session.
๐ As part of our programme of engagement with Welsh political parties, FSB attended the Plaid Cymru Conference in Caernarfon. The conference, which was held in the week of the announcement of a new Welsh Government Cabinet was a good chance to meet with Plaid Cymru members and politicians to discuss our key issues of the moment and make the case for support for smaller businesses across Wales as well as discussing some of the pressures resulting from Welsh Government’s cut in support for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses. During the event, FSB also met with Plaid Cymru Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth.
North Wales Update: Mike Learmond
March has been a busy month for FSB in North Wales, with events around Denbighshire County Council’s March for Business month, our stand at the Wrexham Business Show, another stand at the Explore Export Conference in Ewloe and the Smart Towns event in Wrexham. We also attended the Mersey Dee Alliance networking event at JCB in Wrexham, a business drop in event hosted by Development Bank of Wales in Flintshire and a jobs fair organised by DWP in Llangefni.
As part of the Net Zero Network, we also were privileged to visit Harlech Food Service to learn more about the carbon reduction measures they are implementing in their business. We also had the opportunity to visit Chilly Cow Ice Cream and it was fascinating to hear how the business was started and their plans for growth. If you would like to host a visit to your premises, pleas get in touch, as we do like to visit our members and explore the opportunities and challenges that businesses face in North Wales.
The highlight of the month has been the annual March for Business Dinner, which attracted around 120 attendees and incorporated the presentation and interviews with the North Wales FSB Awards winners. Good luck to all the North Wales winners who now progress to the UK finals in Blackpool on 9th May.
We are now planning for our annual conference in June, which will be held in the Prichard Jones Hall in Bangor University. This will coincide with FSB’s 50th anniversary, but also the 10th anniversary of the conference, so we are determined to make it bigger and better this year! We will have speakers on financial resilience, Artificial Intelligence for small businesses, the newly announced Investment fund for Wales and much more. So please save the date and book your tickets here!
Looking forward, we continue with our popular virtual networking events and our next in-person Business Breakfast will be on 9th April at Northop Business School. Mike will also be discussing employment and skills at the Navigating Workforce and Skills Challenges in North Wales event at Venue Cymru on 26th April.
South & Mid Wales Update: Rob Basini
We had a great start to the month with our South Wales Valleys networking event in Merthyr Tydfil on Saint David’s Day. The early part of the month continued to be busy with meeting existing and new members at the Swansea City conference, attending an International Women’s Day event, and Welsh Government’s Explore Export event at Cardiff City Stadium.
Our FSB Swansea Area networking event also got a big thumbs up from those attending. The historic venue for the event, the Penderyn Distillery in Swansea – and the real mix of businesses attending generated a real buzz. It was also great to finish the month by recognising some of our FSB Wales Award winners at our South East Wales Business Networking event.
A key element of our work in the area this month has related to the recent announcements on decarbonisation at TATA Steel, which are likely to have huge impacts on many businesses in the area. We’ve been contributing regularly to make sure that the needs of small businesses in the area are considered as plans are developed.
Looking forward, in addition to our regular virtual networking and our in person events across South West and Mid Wales (dates being confirmed shortly!), we are particularly pleased to be hosting a brand new networking event in Aberystwyth on 26 April.
Upcoming Events
Wales Virtual Networking, Thursday 4 April, 1pm – 2pm
Embrace the virtual networking scene with us at our Wales Virtual Networking sessions, the perfect dynamic and engaging setting to grow and diversify your business connections. Held fortnightly on a Thursday afternoon, this is your chance to expand your network, share valuable insights and collaborate with our diverse virtual community of business professionals from Wales and across the UK. The event is open to all and FREE to attend.
FSB North Wales Business Breakfast, Tuesday 9 April, 9.30am -11am
Wales Virtual Networking, Thursday 18 April, 1pm – 2pm
Join us for the second time this month at our fortnightly Wales Virtual Networking sessions. Join us from the comfort of your own home or office and connect with fellow business owners, share best practices alongside collaborating and supporting each other within our dynamic online community. The event is open to all and FREE to attend.
Aberystwyth Area Business Networking, Friday 26 April, 9am – 11.30am
Pembrokeshire Drop-In Business Support, Friday 26 April, 9am – 12pm
Pembrokeshire County Council and the Haven Waterway Enterprise Zone Board’s Business Interaction Group, a range of business support organisations and professionals will be available at the monthly drop in session at Bridge Innovation Centre, Pembroke Dock. FSB Wales will be facilitating a group networking session from 10.30am – 11.30am at this event. You won’t want to miss it!
What You May Have Missed - Wales News Updates
- Workplace Recycling is Changing in Wales
- “March For Business” Dinner: A Night of Networking and Support
- FSB Award Winners in Wales Announced
- A St David’s Day Networking Success in Merthyr Tydfil!
- FSB Member Mondays - Wales
- Do You Have The Perfect Elevator Pitch?
Meet The Team - Wales
If you need any further information about any of the events or information here, your Wales contacts are:
- Mike Learmond, Senior Development Manager
- Rob Basini, Development Manager
- Shona Holmes-Berry, Operational Support Co-ordinator
Don't forget to follow us on social media too for all the latest updates:
