The Latest News from Wrexham Business Professionals

Dynamic Wrexham sees 500 firms created

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...... more ›

Roads of Castles lead to prosperity

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....... more ›

Princes new ambassador

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....... more ›

Business group creates confidence for Wrexham

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...... more ›