Wales Monthly Update

Local News 1 Dec 2023

Welcome to our Monthly Update for Wales, providing insights into our November activities and a glimpse of the upcoming events in December to help you stay informed with our professional overview.

Campaigning and Policy Activity

📝 Following the significant measures for smaller businesses and self-employed secured by FSB in the Chancellor’s recent Autumn Statement, we are eagerly awaiting Welsh Government’s draft budget next month. FSB Wales is campaigning for support on smaller business rates relief to be replicated in Wales to support retail, leisure and hospitality businesses and reinforce our high streets.

📝 FSB Wales officially launched our report on skills, published in partnership with the CIPD Wales (Chartered Insitute of Personnel and Development), which provides an overview of the skills landscape from the perspective of small business and makes a number of recommendations for Welsh Government and partners within the skills space. The report was published at FSB’s joint Senedd Reception with the CIPD in Wales, sponsored by Jeremy Miles MS, Education Minster and aims to grow skills supply, capability, and development among SMEs as part of a wider goal of driving sustainable growth in the Welsh economy.

Preceded by a roundtable on skills, the event was a great opportunity to raise skills issues affecting small firms. It was attended by a number of stakeholders, civil servants, Members of Senedd, and their staff. You can read this important report here

📝 The results of our quarterly member survey, the Small Business Index, also paint a wider picture of the economy in Wales, which we shared with Senedd Members and their staff at our quarterly Small Business Breakfast Briefing delivered in partnership with the Development Bank of Wales.

Sponsored by the Leader of the Welsh Conservatives Paul Davies MS, the session coincided with the Autumn statement and gave the team a great opportunity to communicate our key budget asks to Senedd Members while using the SBI data to provide an overview of the economic landscape small firms are operating within currently. This survey is always of critical importance to our work so please out for it in your inboxes each quarter.

📝 FSB was invited to contribute at the launch of the British Business Bank Investment Fund for Wales launch, where our Head of Wales provided an overview of the investment landscape for small business in Wales. The new £130million SME-focused fund will be administered by three different Fund Managers and is aimed to fill gaps in the commercial funding ecosystem and generate funding options from £25,000 to £5million. You can find our more here

📝 Welsh Government Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething launched the refresh of his Economic Mission this week. FSB Wales responded to a consultation request on the mission, which outlines Welsh Government’s economic priorities, and have been invited to attend and speak at the mission launch.

📝 The Senedd Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee are conducting an inquiry into the Development Bank of Wales, its performance and the experiences of businesses. The Committee would welcome evidence or contributions from businesses and you can find out how to contribute to this inquiry here

North Wales Update: Mike Learmond

We started off November by partnering with The Development Bank of Wales and other business support organisations to offer drop-in sessions in Bangor and Rhyl. It was great to meet the business owners and learn about their plans and we do hope to run more of these across the region, so look out for one near you.

Soon after, we met many hospitality and tourism businesses first hand at the North Wales Tourism Awards. It was truly inspiring to see so many vibrant and successful businesses in the sector and to see them being recognised for the benefit they bring to North Wales’ economy.

Also launching in November was a new project to support High Street businesses in Flintshire. This includes a series of events across the county and one-to-one support for a limited number of businesses. You can find out more by emailing [email protected] or [email protected].

Our virtual networking every fortnight continues to be very popular, so why not give it a try? The booking link is below in the Upcoming Events section. We are also looking forward to our in-person networking and tour of Penderyn Distillery in Llandudno. In addition, we will be hosting monthly in-person networking from January onwards.

Finally, it’s always a pleasure to hear from a happy FSB member, so it was lovely to see this post from Eric Davies of Doodly Dog on LinkedIn! If you know of anyone who may benefit from FSB membership, please ask them to get in touch with [email protected].

Save The High Street, Destination Management Plan, Wales Tourism Awards

South & Mid Wales Update: Rob Basini

November has been another busy month from an events point of view. It was really positive to attend the Business Advice and Drop-in session in Llandrindod Wells with Powys County Council, and our South East Wales Business Networking event was again very well attended.

It was also a pleasure to host our FSB National Webinar on ‘Improving Customer Retention: How Human Factors Can Help’ with guest speaker Barry Kirby of KSharp Ltd, who is also the President of The Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors.

This month we also hosted Lord Offord of Garvel, Minister for Exports at UK Government at a roundtable for exporting businesses in the area and at two visits to small businesses in the area. The roundtable allowed businesses to share their experiences and ideas on exporting. Held at the innovative co-working space, Space2b @ The Maltings, discussions were productive in identifying issues to address and opportunities to explore. The event was chaired by our FSB Wales Policy Chair, Ben Francis, and attendees included businesses of varying sizes from different sectors.

Following the roundtable, we took Lord Offord to visit two small businesses in the area - Penderyn Distillery, which showcases the best of Wales on a global stage with its exporting, and Kontroltek, the Bridgend based industrial electronic and automation repairs company which supports businesses across many areas of Europe. The day was felt by all involved to be very worthwhile and productive.

Through the month, our pan Wales Virtual Networking events continued to be both well attended and useful for small businesses attending. At our last session we had guest speaker Jamie Martin of Correct Careers Coaching, who gave a really useful talk on increasing the effectiveness of how small businesses use Linkedin.

Over the coming month we are looking forward to various events across the area. On 5 December, we are looking forward to hosting a networking event in Cardiff at BizSpace. We are delighted to welcome Lee & Leanne Eustace from Accounted For as our guest speakers at this event. Accounted For is the only profit first certified accountancy firm in Wales and their award-winning work, outstanding client care, dedication, and reasonable fees have gained them a wide range of clients from all over the UK. The booking details are included below in the Upcoming Events section.

In both Powys and Pembrokeshire, we continue to be a part of regular business advice and drop-in sessions over the coming months. We are also really looking forward to our seasonal Wales Virtual Networking event on the 14 December, which will bring the virtual networking sessions to a close for 2023 with a Christmassy feel and of course our popular festive quiz! Book your place today!

Upcoming Events:

We continue to get really positive feedback on all of our FSB Wales events so please come and join us and connect with other businesses throughout Wales and the rest of the UK. All events are open to members and non-members, book your place now and feel free to bring along a colleague too!

Business Networking @ Bizspace, Cardiff, Tuesday 5 December, 9am – 11.45am

Another networking opportunity for our South East Wales businesses this month, taking place at Bizspace, Cardiff. This networking event provides the opportunity for you to meet and expand your networking with other business owners and managers, as well as hearing from our special guest speakers, Lee & Leanne Eustace from Accounted For. Learn about ‘The Profit First Cashflow System’ and how you can transform your business from a cash eating monster to a money making machine with their cashflow improvement tips.

Wales Virtual Networking: Christmas Connections & Festive Quiz, Thursday 14 December, 1-2pm

Our Wales Virtual Networking events provide the opportunity for you to meet other business owners and expand your network. Join us this month for our special seasonal session and embrace the festive spirit with us, it’s time to deck the virtual halls and take part in a joyful Christmas Quiz, blending business networking with seasonal fun! Come and be part of our wonderful virtual community, give your perfect elevator pitch, introduce yourself and your business and share important business skills with others.

Pembrokeshire Drop-In Business Support, Friday 15 December, 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. Don’t miss this last one of the year!

North Wales Christmas Networking & Penderyn Tour, Tuesday 19 December, 3pm – 5pm

Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to expand your professional network and celebrate the holiday season with peers in the business community. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, business owner or professional, get ready to sip, savour and celebrate this festive season with like-minded professionals in the unique and unforgettable setting of Penderyn Distillery in Llandudno, North Wales. Register now and mark your calendar for an afternoon of networking, whisky appreciation and holiday festivities. Spaces are limited, book your place now, ticket sales close 12 December!