The Latest News from Wrexham Business Professionals

New research centre will deliver £4b boost to economy

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...... more ›

Business leaders say new hub will be the catalyst for future growth

Ambitious plans for a new innovation hub that's set to create 100 new businesses and more than 250 new jobs will help transform Wrexham's economic prospects. More details will be unveiled by the Welsh Government's Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure, Ken Skates, at the next meeting of Wrexham Business Professionals (WBP) at the Ramada Plaza on July 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. They're expecting a bumper audience of around 150 people. Mr Skates said: “The Welsh Government has been working with the Welsh Centre for Enterprise to develop the new innovation hub that will support the creation of 100 new businesses and at least 260 jobs in Wrexham between now and 2020. “It’s a huge opportunity for Wrexham to carve out a distinct identity as a place of innovation and technical excellence. “This will build on some investments that we’ve already announced concerning job creation in financial services. “Wrexham has a huge opportunity to become known as a centre of excellence for financial services and innovation and there are also particular strengths in the area in life sciences and the digital economies. “I’m very optimistic for the future of the economy in Wrexham. The development of 100 companies with many new jobs associated with that is going to be hugely exciting and will also contribute to the regeneration of the town centre and be enormously beneficial the people of the area. “It will only take one or two of these businesses to flourish as, for example, the Village Bakery,  Pendine Park and Moneypenny have done and we could be looking at hundreds more jobs in addition. “I’ve got great belief in innovators living in and around Wrexham and by supporting them to make their ideas and thoughts a reality we’re hoping...... more ›

Agriculture is of growing importance to economy, boss of successful tractor firm will tell business leaders

People should be more aware of the importance of the agriculture sector to the economy in general. That’s the message the boss of a successful Wrexham machinery firm which itself started down on the farm will have for business leaders next month. Paul Reeves, Managing Director of Malpas Tractors, is one of the keynote speakers at the next meeting of Wrexham Business Professionals (WBP) in the Catrin Finch Centre at Glyndwr University on Thursday June 8. 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 topic for discussion is Powering Regional Prosperity – Growing the Welsh Economy and it will have a distinctly agricultural feel. The other guest speakers will be Lesley Griffiths, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for the Environment and Rural Affairs and Assembly Member for Wrexham, and John Mercer, Director of The National farmers’ Union Cymru. Paul took over the running of Malpas Tractors in 2006 from his parents who founded the firm and it has since grown into a major concern with a chain of depots across North Wales and the North West of England. Based on Wrexham Industrial Estate, it is a main line supplier of  some of the biggest names in agricultural machinery including New Holland tractors and harvesters, Kuhn Farm Machinery mowers, feeders and cultivation equipment, Hi-Spec feeder wagons, slurry tankers, slurry pumps and industrial tankers. It also deals in Bomford hedgecutters, Simba cultivation equipment, Trima & Quicke loaders and groundcare machinery for the professional and leisure industry. The company has its roots in the Cheshire countryside where husband and wife Edward and Rachael Reeves started it off working the farm they still own in Malpas not far from the Welsh border. Back in 1983 the couple, as joint directors, started to repair and service their own farm and contracting...... more ›

Wales should get as much cash help after Brexit as it did from the European Union, Cabinet Secretary tells business leaders

It's vital that Wales doesn't lose out as a result of Brexit and that we carry on having access to the single market in Europe, according to a leading figure in the Welsh Government. Professor Mark Drakeford, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, says the same amount of money must continue to come into Wales after Britain's departure from the European Union. That was the key message when he spoke to 120 members of Wrexham Business Professionals (WBP) at the town's Ramada Plaza 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 topic for discussion at their latest meeting was Powering Regional Prosperity – Taxing Times. Prof Drakeford was one of three guest speakers who addressed the theme along with food entrepreneur Phil Brown and Rachel Clacher, co-founder of Wrexham-based telephone answering giant Moneypenny. The Cabinet Secretary said he had been representing the Welsh Government on Brexit matters, adding: “Since the referendum to leave the EU, we have been working to protect and promote the interests of Wales. We have published our White Paper Securing Wales’ Future – a comprehensive, credible plan for the future as the UK prepares to leave the European Union. "The Welsh Government has called on the UK Government to make good on promises made during the referendum campaign that Wales will not lose a penny in funding as a result of the UK leaving the EU. This remains one of our priorities – Wales should not be worse off when it leaves the EU and we will hold the UK Government to account on this.” He added: “In the negotiations our top priority is to have full and unfettered access to the single market. We don’t want tariffs getting in the way of our most important markets. That will be...... more ›

North Wales could help in mission for Britain to produce more of its own food, says entrepreneur

“In North Wales we’re very well served for food producers and I see opportunities everywhere I look."   “It's clear to me North Wales could play an important role in helping Britain to produce more of her own food.”  Phil’s new Sea Shanty Café on Lon St Ffraid, which he runs with his business partner Neil Gitton, celebrates beaches, holidays and the village’s links with sailing and local history.  The nautically-themed bistro, just a stone’s throw from the beach, stands on the spot - and bears the name - of an old wooden café that was once a much loved haunt of holidaymakers for decades.  The new café’s ceiling is hung with historic sailing boats, while the walls are decorated with sand and shells collected from beaches around the world plus other sailing memorabilia and curiosities. On the back of rave reviews from foodies, families and tourists the café recently added to its 50-strong team by taking on an extra three chefs and five front-of-house staff.  But Phil says that just as with everything else he’s done in business the Sea Shanty didn’t happen overnight.  “All my past successes have been the result of careful consideration and observation,” he said.  Gill Kreft, the chair of Wrexham Business Professionals, said: "We're delighted that we have such a high-powered line-up for our next meeting. She said: "Phil Brown's many business successes are an inspirational example of what can be achieved when you have a great idea and the drive and determination to see it through. "I am sure Phil, Professor Drakeford and Rachel will have some fascinating insights to share with the audience who will be able to apply some of those lessons to make their own businesses even more successful." For more information contact Kate Edwards from Wrexham Business Professionals kate.edwards@wrexhambusinessprofessionals.com or ring her on 01978 752500.     ... more ›