Campaigning and Policy Activity
📝 Following his appointment as First Minister, Vaughan Gething MS announced his Cabinet in April. Among others, the appointments included Jeremy Miles MS as Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language and former Minister for Economy Ken Skates MS as Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport.
We welcome the appointment of Jeremy Miles as Minister for the Economy and we look forward to developing the positive and productive relationship we had with him in his former role as Minister for Education.
During his recent statement on priorities for his portfolio in the Senedd, Mr Miles pointed to the need to focus on growing productive and sustainable businesses commenting ‘there is no route to the more compassionate country that we want to be which does not pass through the more prosperous country that we need to be’.
In our media release following the statement, FSB welcomed the positive tone of the statement and reiterated the need for Welsh Government to redouble its effort in engaging the SME business community to understand challenges as well as the opportunities to help shape an agenda for growth. We look forward to working closely with the Cabinet Secretary in this important new role.
Following the appointment of the new roles within Welsh Government, the Welsh Conservatives also announced a reshuffle of their opposition front bench. Samuel Kurtz MS has been appointed as Shadow Minister for Economy & Energy. We very much welcome Mr Kurtz’s appointment and look forward to informing and engaging with his work as Shadow Minister and introducing him to smaller businesses across Wales.
📝 April 6th saw the introduction of the new Workplace Recycling Regulations in Wales. The new rules affect all non-domestic premises with a number of exceptions including hospitals which will have a further two years before implementation. The new rules, require the separation of recycling within workplaces and food waste.
The FSB Wales team have compiled a new information sheet on the regulations which give an overview of their purpose, business obligations and links to important resources for smaller businesses to aid compliance.
In our media response, FSB has called on government and regulators to focus on an ‘education first’ approach to regulation and asserted that as much resource and effort should go into advice and support as into compliance.
📝 The Welsh Government’s annual St. David Awards was held in April in Cardiff. The Awards recognise the leadership and contributions of individuals and organisations, nominated by the public from across Welsh society.
This years Awards event was held at a prestigious ceremony at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff attended by nominees, representatives from across society, the outgoing First Minister Rt. Hon Mark Drakeford MS, the new First Minister Vaughan Gething MS as well as members of the Welsh Government Cabinet.
We were delighted to see FSB members recognised as part of the evening including Ian Benbow of Case UK Ltd which won the business category and Frankie Hobro, FSB Wales Policy Unit Member and Director of Anglesey Sea Zoo who was nominated in the Environment category.
We congratulate all award winners and nominees of the St. David Awards and you can read more about the awards here
Our policy team is currently working on research on SMEs and the Creative Industries and Creative Economy in Wales to understand the sector’s SME needs and how to address them.
Creative Economies Roundtable Events
Do you work in the creative sector? If so, we are conducting a series of roundtables, taking place on the following dates, to understand the issues affecting your creative business and the sector, and how policy can make it easier for you to develop your business.
- North East Wales: Thursday 9th May, 11am-12:30pm Theatr Clwyd, Raikes Lane, Mold
- South West Wales: Tuesday 21st May 11am-12:30pm, Canolfan S4C Yr Egin, College Rd, Carmarthen
- North West Wales: Friday 24th May 11am-12:30pm, MSparc, Menai Science Park, Gaerwen
- South East Wales: Cardiff – date/venue TBC, please register interest to be on the list and to receive updates
Places are limited. To register your interest, and for more information for any of these events, please contact Lauren Rose
North Wales Update: Mike Learmond
Well, April went quickly! As usual, we packed a lot of activity in throughout the month.This included continued stakeholder meetings with local authorities regarding Shared Prosperity Funding and Levelling Up Funding and it was great to hear about some of the ambitious projects being planned and delivered as part of this UK Government funding.
As well as capital projects in towns from Holyhead to Ruthin, there are also projects aimed at supporting small businesses. Some of these funds have very short timescales, so please do check regularly on the Business Wales website or FSB’s roundup of funding in North Wales.
It was great to support Gwaith Gwynedd at their recent job fair in The Dragon Theatre in Barmouth and talk to some of the visitors about opportunities and support for starting a business. It’s also important that we reach all areas of our business community, so I’m very keen to organise or attend events which are in more rural communities. Please feel free to contact me if you have any ideas or suggestions on how we can support you.
It was a pleasure to be joined by FSB Director Caroline Platt to visit Networld Sports in Wrexham to present the Wales Awards trophy for Expansion and Growth and to hear about their future plans. Best wishes for the UK final in May and of course, fingers crossed for all of the Wales winners as they progress to the grand UK Final!
At the end of the month, I joined a panel on the stage at Venue Cymru as part of the Regional Skills Partnership event focussing on Employment and Skills. There is no doubt that this is an important issue for employers and it was a valuable opportunity to promote our recent policy report, “A Skills-led Economy for Wales” and to highlight some of the recommendations to improve the skills landscape in the nation.
Our next policy report is focussing on the creative industries and we are arranging two focus groups in North Wales in order to garner the views of those in the industry. Please do get in touch if you would like to take part.
Looking forward, bookings are now open for our annual North Wales Small Business Conference at Bangor University on June 11. Please book early!
South & Mid Wales Update: Rob Basini
April was, once again, a busy period on many fronts, with a strong focus this month on making sure that the voice of small businesses has been heard in the shaping of strategic plans for small businesses affected by the likely impact of job losses at TATA Steel.
We also attended the Brecon Business Expo and the Builth Wells Business Expo among other business events this month, and again supported small business networking at the monthly Pembrokeshire Business Drop-in session.
It was good to meet with various Members of Parliament and Members of the Senedd through the month. Thanks to Stephen Kinnock, Member of Parliament, Sioned Williams, Member of the Senedd, and Paul Davies, MS, for making the time at different points in the month to discuss issues facing small businesses in their areas.
Looking ahead into May our South East Wales In Person Business Networking returns on 9 May followed by our Aberystwyth Area Business Networking on 10 May. We will then end the month with our Swansea Area Business Networking on 31 May. Further details on all upcoming events can be found below.
We are also looking forward to exhibiting at the Welsh Business Show in Cardiff on 14 May and we’ll also be making sure the voice of small businesses is heard when members meet with representatives from the Low Pay Commission in South Wales. A presentation on ‘The Realities of Being A Business in Wales in 2024’ will also be given at Cardiff Business School’s business breakfast briefing on the 22 May.
Not forgetting that our virtual networking events that continue to be a popular fixture in the calendar, providing opportunities for those with limited time to attend in-person events. Details of all of our events can be found on our Events Calendar page and on our social media channels.
Upcoming Events
Wales Virtual Networking, Thursday 2 May, 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.
Help To Grow Business Round Table (Beaumaris), Thursday 9 May, 8.30am - 10am
Join Virginia Crosbie MP & our very own Senior Development Manager, Mike Learmond for a business round table and networking opportunity at Canolfan Beaumaris. The round table will be a forum to share the challenges and opportunities facing SMEs on Anglesey and to discuss the UK Governments ‘Help to Grow’ campaign: a one-stop shop for SMEs. Please register for this free event by emailing [email protected]
South East Wales Business Networking, Thursday 9 May, 9am – 11.30am
Our popular bi-monthly in-person South East Wales Business Networking returns so come and expand your network within the local area and hear from our guest speaker. Join Hayley Wheeler, an innovator and pioneer in the field of emotional and mental health, who will be speaking about ‘Thriving At The Top: Cultivating Wellbeing for Business Leaders’, and explore how you can prioritise your wellbeing using her EmotionMind Dynamic six step process. Both FSB members and non-members are welcome to attend.
Aberystwyth Area Business Networking, Friday 10 May, 9am – 11.30am
Join us in a new area for our in-person networking events with our Aberystwyth Area Business Networking. Taking place at Aberystwyth University this event provides the opportunity to connect with a diverse array of businesses from across the area. Our guest speaker at this event will be Chantal Cooke, from Panpathic Communications, who will be explaining ‘How To Get Journalists To Feature Your Business – For Free’. Everyone is welcome, both FSB members and non-members, don’t miss out!
FSB North Wales Business Breakfast, Wednesday 15 May, 9.30am – 11am
Our in-person networking in North Wales is making a comeback with regular monthly North Wales Business Breakfast events. This monthly networking meet-up offers a prime opportunity to forge meaningful business connections, in a professional environment. Come and network, collaborate, promote your services and support each other. Open to all, both FSB members and non-members.
Wales Virtual Networking, Thursday 16 May, 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.
Pembrokeshire Drop-In Business Support, Friday 24 May, 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!
Swansea Area Business Networking, Friday 31 May, 9am – 11.45am
Our Swansea Business Networking event returns to The Towers Hotel & Spa this month, providing the perfect opportunity to connect with a diverse array of businesses from across the area. Joining us as the guest speaker this month is Jamie Martin, Managing Director of Correct Careers Coaching, who will be discussing ‘The LinkedIn Sales Funnel’. Listen to his 10-step framework for engaging and converting new client prospects and how to utilize LinkedIn for this. Don’t miss out!
What You May Have Missed - Wales News Updates
- Grants & Funds Available In North Wales: Summary
- Member Monday Wales: North Wales Days Out & Events
- Celebrating Connections at another North Wales Business Breakfast
- Special Celebration at our South East Wales Business Networking
- Welsh Government Future Proofing Fund (Retail, Hospitality & Leisure Sectors)
- Work Experience Placement Opportunities – North Wales
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:
