High-flying travel boss will champion Wrexham at business leaders event
A HIGH-FLYING travel firm boss who has created more than 50 jobs in less than a year will tell Wrexham business leaders how his 35-store empire remains rooted in the heart of the town.
Don Bircham, Managing Director of Hays Travel North West, will share the secrets of his success with members of an influential business group, Wrexham Business Professionals (WBP) on Friday September 21.
The group is made up of successful businesses and highly skilled professional firms of solicitors, accountants and other business professionals working together to raise the profile of enterprise and expertise that exists in the region and beyond.
The event, to be held at the Catrin Finch Centre, in Wrexham, will be entitled ‘Powering Regional Prosperity - The Direction of Travel’.
The other keynote speaker will be Ken Skates AM, Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport.
Don started his career in the travel industry, straight out of school, almost 40 years ago when he got a job with a local travel agent at the age of 16 in his home town of Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire. Later working for Thomas Cook, he soon climbed the career ladder and was offered a regional manager position for North Wales and Merseyside which brought him and his young family to live in Mold.
His chain of 35 independent travel agencies, located throughout North Wales and the North West, now employs 200 people and has a turnover in excess of £ 75m. It is the main partner of the hugely successful Hays Travel based in Sunderland which has just announced a turnover of more than £1bn and is the UK’s largest independent travel agency.
Don’s own firm is on a major expansion trajectory by itself, having opened seven new stores, including branches in Rhyl and Colwyn Bay, in the last eight months. He has also introduced a £ 1m rolling programme of refurbishments for a large...
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Hostage Terry Waite given a book called Great Escapes by his captors
Former hostage Terry Waite told how the Islamic jihadists holding him captive unwittingly gave him a book called Great Escapes.
The revelation about the irony of reading material presented to him by his guards who were unable to speak English came during a speech to the Wrexham Business Professionals Group at the town's Ramada hotel.
The group is made up of successful businesses and highly skilled professional firms of solicitors, accountants and other business professionals working together to raise the profile of enterprise and expertise that exists in the region and beyond.
The other keynote speakers at the event were Welsh National Opera's Artistic Director David Pountney and Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, Welsh Government Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport.
The theme of the meeting Powering Regional Prosperity ... The Art of Business and Mr Waite was there in his capacity as President of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.
The ex-Church of England envoy described what life was life being held in an underground prison in Beirut for five years and how he was chained to the wall for 23 hours and 50 minutes every day, with just a 10 minute toilet break.
"I'd been negotiating for the release of hostages on behalf of the Church of England for many years," he said. "Today I'm responsible for Hostage UK, which operates worldwide.
"When you are attempting to deal with this particular problem you have to run the risk of being captured yourself and it was inevitable that one day I'd be held hostage."
"People ask me all the time what I missed most," he said. "Family and friends of course, but I also missed books and music.
"I pleaded with the guards to bring me books. They asked why – we've never read a book in our lives, they said.
"Eventually a guard said he would get me a book and a day or...
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The art of business can boost economy, says opera legend
A towering figure from the world of opera will urge business leaders in Wrexham to support the arts as a way of boosting the economy.
Welsh National Opera’s Artistic Director David Pountney will be one of three speakers at a morning meeting of the Wrexham Business Professionals at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in Wrexham.
The theme of the meeting on Tuesday, July 3, will be Powering Regional Prosperity … The Art of Business.
The group is made up of successful businesses and highly skilled professional firms of solicitors, accountants and other business professionals working together to raise the profile of enterprise and expertise that exists in the region and beyond.
The other keynote speakers at the event will be Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, Welsh Government Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, and Terry Waite, President of Llangollen International Eisteddfod
According to David Pountney, there was a powerful economic argument for supporting the arts and creative industries.
The latest figures show there are 5,300 creative businesses in Wales which generate £2.1 billion a year and provide employment to 49,000 people.
Mr Pountney said: “I ran a festival in Bregenz in Austria for 11 years. It was seven hours by train from Vienna, not an easy journey.
“It was very like Wales, North Wales in particular as it was surrounded by mountains. The festival had a massive impact on that place because it brought people in by their thousands.
“There is a clear economic argument for supporting the arts. Without those visitors many businesses would close.
“Bregenz had a traditional textile industry which had died a death. It has been replaced by hi-tech industries much like those flourishing in North Wales.”
By and large, he said, heavy industry has seen its day. “We no longer need brawn, we need culture and imagination.
“We need people who can think outside the box. What you imagine today can be...
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Ex-Disney Stores boss says Wrexham can still be top of the shops
A miner’s son from Wrexham who rose to become the boss of all the Disney stores across Europe is returning to his hometown to share the secrets of his success.
Chris Davies will be discussing the future of the retail sector in North Wales with members of an influential business group, Wrexham Business Professionals (WBP) on Thursday, April 19.
The group is made up of successful businesses and highly skilled professional firms of solicitors, accountants and other business professionals working together to raise the profile of enterprise and expertise that exists in the region and beyond.
Mr Davies was senior Vice President of Walt Disney’s European retail operation and also worked as a CEO at leading brands such as Staples, Hunter and HSS Hire.
The topic for discussion at the meeting at the town's Ramada Plaza Hotel will be Powering Regional Prosperity – Banking on the High Street.
The other keynote speaker will be Giles Thorley, CEO of the Development Bank of Wales.
Mr Davies, who retired in 2015 after 40 years in marketing and retail, will be talking about his belief in a prosperous future for the high street, the impact of Brexit and his past experiences in the fast-paced world of retail.
The 64-year-old, who was born in Wrexham to a mining family before moving to Scotland as a young child, will also be talking about his role as an ambassador for the NSPCC.
The father-of-two said: “The retail sector changes all the time so that will be a theme I will be bringing into my talk.
“But my style is not to give people advice. There will be people there who run very successful businesses and I’m not going to tell them how it should be run.
“All I can do is share my experiences and thoughts. The focus will be on the changes in the sector, along with the...
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Businesses leaders told they have vital role to play in bringing in Wales’s two new taxes
Business leaders have a key role to play in the smooth introduction of Wales’s first home-grown taxes in around 800 years.
That was strong message to members of Wrexham Business Professionals (WBP) at their latest meeting from top officials of the agencies responsible for bringing in the devolved taxes on April 1.
The group is made up of successful businesses and highly skilled professional firms of solicitors, accountants and other business professionals working together to raise the profile of enterprise and expertise that exists in the region and beyond.
Around 130 members and guests at the meeting in the Ramada Plaza received a full briefing on and transaction tax which replaces Stamp Duty Land Tax, and landfill disposals tax, which takes the place of Landfill Tax five weeks before they are introduced in Wales.
The session was delivered by Dr Andy Fraser, head of strategy for the Welsh Treasury, and Sam Cairns, head of operational delivery at the Welsh Revenue Authority (WRA) – a new tax authority responsible for collecting and managing devolved taxes in Wales.
Both stressed the vital role of businesses in the implementation of the new fiscal measures and encouraged bosses to become involved in formulating the taxes.
Dr Fraser, who has had 16 years’ experience of delivering high-profile policy and legislative programmes for the UK and Welsh Governments, described the two taxes as a “great opportunity” for the country.
He explained: “They give us the chance to develop tax regimes which support the Welsh Government’s objectives and agenda.
“We want to work with businesses and citizens across Wales to develop the new tax regime and how it’s administered.
“By April 2019 we are looking to raise and collect around £5 billion worth of tax revenue in Wales and our key principles will be to make the regime as fair as possible as well as clear, stable...
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500 firms created in “dynamic” Wrexham since 2010, Welsh Secretary tells business leaders
More than 500 new companies have been set up in Wrexham in the past seven years, it's been revealed.
The boom in start-up firms was evidence of the dynamism of the town's economy, according to the Secretary of State for Wales, Alun Cairns.
He was speaking at the annual pre-Christmas gathering of Wrexham Business Professionals (WBP) at the Ramada Plaza Hotel.
Swansea-born Mr Cairns, who represents the Vale of Glamorgan for the Conservative Party and is also a former Welsh Assembly Member, was addressing 170 business leaders.
The group is made up of successful businesses and highly skilled professional firms of solicitors, accountants and other business professionals working together to raise the profile of enterprise and expertise that exists in the region and beyond.
Mr Cairns paid tribute to the group as a "key influence" behind the decision to build the new HM Prison Berwyn in Wrexham ensuring that major contracts went to local firms.
Describing the North Wales economy as a “beacon for investment and job creation”, he said: “The growth rate in the region is faster than the UK average and the unemployment rate is just 3.6 per cent.
“In Wrexham there is a dynamism in the economy. Five hundred new businesses have started since 2010, proving that North East Wales is a fantastic attraction to investment.
“These are exciting times and there has been a huge amount of activity going on here in Wrexham recently.
“In just the last few weeks two life sciences companies have announced plans to invest in the area, with one investing £22 million in a new unit from which it will export to more than 80 countries around the world.
“In the recent Budget announcement, the Chancellor set out plans to increase the Welsh Government’s budget by £1.2 billion and build an economy that is fit for the future. He also confirmed that the UK...
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The Roads of Castles in Wonderland lead to prosperity for North Wales
Plans have been unveiled for a brand new tourism route created especially for the increasing number of Japanese visitors fuelling the tourism boom in North Wales
The Roads of Castles in Wonderland initiative was revealed by Jim Jones, the managing director of North Wales Tourism, who said the region was now a big hit with visitors from the Land of the Rising Sun.
Mr Jones told a meeting of Wrexham Business Professionals at the town's Ramada Hotel there had been an 84 per cent increase in Japanese visitors in the past two years, with almost 2,400 of them between April and September of this year coming via travel agencies that have not previously had North Wales on their itineraries.
The group is made up of successful businesses and highly skilled professional firms of solicitors, accountants and other business professionals working together to raise the profile of enterprise and expertise that exists in the region and beyond.
According to Mr Jones, North Wales Tourism has been working closely with the high-powered Japanese Association of Travel Agents (JATA).
Earlier this year he took a seven-strong on group from JATA on a whistle-stop tour of World Heritage sites and other attractions in North Wales.
Mr Jones "Japanese tourists used to by-pass North Wales but not anymore.
"We have worked hard to promote the region and as a result we have seen a sharp rise in the number of Japanese tourists visiting North Wales.
"JATA have now selected 20 of the most beautiful roads in Europe and we were thrilled they picked North Wales as one of those routes.
"They will now be promoting North Wales as The Road of Castles in Wonderland.
"The route starts in Newtown and comes up through, Chirk, Wrexham and Ruthin, before heading to Conwy and Llandudno and down the Conwy Valley to the Llyn Peninsula and looping to Caernarfon and Anglesey....
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The Prince of Wales's new business ambassador wants to create a new generation of ethical entrepreneurs.
Chris Nott OBE says that working in a responsible way can be good for businesses and is not simply about philanthropy and firms in Wales are already setting an example in adopting good operating practices.
That's the message which the leading lawyer and entrepreneur will have for members of Wrexham Business Professionals (WBP) when he is a keynote speaker at their next meeting at the Ramada Plaza on September 14.
The group is made up of successful businesses and highly skilled professional firms of solicitors, accountants and other business professionals working together to raise the profile of enterprise and expertise that exists in the region and beyond.
Mr Nott is the founder of two law firms and is senior partner with Cardiff-based Capital Law which was voted Welsh Law Firm of the Year in 2015/16.
Before forming Capital Law he set up and grew a number of other businesses outside the legal sector. He is also an official advisor to the Welsh Government.
Outside the legal world, he is chair of the Welsh Government's Financial and Professional Services, and was a member of the Task and Finish Group for the Development Bank for Wales from 2012-2014.
In December 2016, he received an OBE for services to business and economic development in Wales.
In his new role as ambassador he liaises directly between The Prince of Wales and his charity Business in the Community (BITC) Cymru to support the growth of the responsible business movement in the country.
Responsible business means the adoption of sound policies and practices in the workplace, the environment, the community and the marketplace and being open and honest with employees, customers, suppliers, distributors and other stakeholders.
Mr Nott explained that after being appointed as ambassador he decided to take the promotion of responsible business as his guiding theme for his two years in the role....
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Business group hailed for creating confidence to invest in Wrexham
An influential business group helped pave the way for two major economy-boosting projects in Wrexham, it's been revealed.
According to Welsh Government Economy Secretary Ken Skates, the work of Wrexham Business Professionals was crucial when deciding to invest in the town.
Mr Skates has announced the new Development Bank of Wales will be sited in Wrexham.
He has also revealed that a new innovation hub that's set to create 100 new businesses and more than 250 job is also going there.
Mr Skates, who is also the Clwyd South AM, believes the new jobs created by both projects will help transform Wrexham's economic prospects.
Much of the credit for choosing Wrexham, he said, should go to Wrexham Business Professionals.
The group has gone from strength to strength since it was established eight years ago.
It is made up of successful businesses and highly skilled professional firms of solicitors, accountants and other business professionals working together to raise the profile of enterprise and expertise that exists in the region and beyond.
Their meetings have been addressed by a series of high profile guest speakers, ranging from the Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, to leading entrepreneurs and senior politicians including First Minister Carwyn Jones.
The last meeting when Ken Skates was the keynote speaker was attended by around 170 of the area's business leaders.
The group also campaigned in favour of building the UK's largest prison in Wrexham because of the massive economic benefits it will bring to the region.
Mr Skates said: "Wrexham Business Professionals has developed into a hugely successful and influential organisation.
"Under the chairmanship of Gill Kreft, the group has shown great leadership on a number of issues on the years.
"They have fostered a positive pro-business approach that is helping Wrexham regain its status as an economic powerhouse.
"I really am incredibly impressed by what Gill and the rest of...
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A new advanced research and manufacturing centre in Flintshire will give the Welsh economy a massive £4 billion boost, according to Economy Secretary Ken Skates.
Mr Skates revealed he had approved funding to complete phase one of the development in Deeside which will help secure thousands of aviation jobs.
The news came at a meeting of at a meeting of Wrexham Business Professionals at the town's Ramada Hotel where he addressed an audience of 170 business leaders.
The group is made up of successful businesses and highly skilled professional firms of solicitors, accountants and other business professionals working together to raise the profile of enterprise and expertise that exists in the region and beyond.
According to Mr Skates, the new centre will have a strong focus on sectors including aerospace, automotive, nuclear and food.
Airbus has already been confirmed as the new anchor tenant.
Mr Skates, who is also the AM for Clwyd South, said: “We are investing £20 million but the return literally is eye watering.
"Our £20 million will, according to independent analysis, deliver £4 billion for our economy.
“It’s vital we continue to deliver on our pledge to establish the Advanced Manufacturing Research Facility in Deeside targeting commercialisation, training and productivity.
“Welsh industry needs to remain competitive by adapting to modern techniques and understanding potential opportunities of the fourth industrial revolution which the proposed Research Institute will support.”
The geographic location and its proximity to the Northern Powerhouse had been a key factor in the Welsh Government's decision to invest in the project.
Mr Skates added: “I know the enormous opportunity there is to build a new partnership with the Northern Powerhouse and the Midlands Engine over coming years.
"I understand the chance we have to support a more dynamic economy in the region through new infrastructure such as electrification of the North Wales mainline.
"We have already committed an additional £50 million to move forward our plans for the North East...
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