The Latest News from Wrexham Business Professionals

City status for Wrexham

City status for Wrexham is now “inevitable”, says top minister A top politician has backed calls for Wrexham to be granted city status. The message from Ken Skates AM, the Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport, to local business leaders was:  “Think like a city, act like a city and become a city.” Mr Skates, who is also the AM for Clwyd South, was speaking at a meeting of Wrexham Business Professionals at the Catrin Finch Centre at Wrexham Glyndwr University. The group, that’s at the forefront of campaign to secure city status for Wrexham, 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 speaker at the event was Don Bircham, Managing Director of the Wrexham-based Hays Travel North West that’s expanded the number of shops to 35 and created more than 50 new jobs in less than a year. According to Mr Skates, his decision to  locate the headquarters of the Development Banks of Wales in Wrexham was a vote of confidence in the town. The minister said the the work of Wrexham Business Professionals was crucial when deciding to invest in the town and that gaining city status was inevitable. He said: “City regions grow faster economically and it’s easier for businesses to grow in that environment. “I see Wrexham as being the economical capital of North Wales. Caernarfon might be the cultural capital but Wrexham’s strong economy and the business opportunities in the area make it the region’s leading economic area. “We need to see ourselves as a city region. We should never underestimate the task ahead but we should endeavour to become a city region of that I am certain. If Wrexham continues to focus on growth then city status is inevitable. “I’m proud of what the Welsh Government is doing...... more ›

Army of Investment Angels

Army of investment angels will help Welsh businesses fly An organisation to match investors to businesses in Wales seeking funding is being launched by the Wrexham-based Development Bank of Wales. Neil Maguinness, the bank’s director of risk, compliance and legal development, revealed that Angels Invest Wales, a subsidiary of the bank, is going to be set up soon. Mr Maguinness was giving an update of bank’s activities since it was launched last October at a meeting of Wrexham Business Professionals 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 speaker at the event was Chris Davies, a miner’s son from Wrexham who rose to become the boss of all the Disney stores across Europe, who gave an “inspirational” masterclass when he talked about his career and discussed the future of the retail sector in North Wales. According to Mr Maguinness, the size of the North Wales team had doubled over the past year they were hoping to move into their new headquarters on Wrexham Technology Park in the summer, with the workforce increasing to 50 by 2023. In the meantime, they had already increased the funds under their management to £130 million. The next step was establishing the Angels Invest Wales and its network of investors. Mr Maguinness said: “Angels Invest Wales will specialise in bringing Welsh businesses seeking funding together with high net worth individuals who themselves are seasoned and successful business people. “Angels Invest Wales complements the equity funding the Development Bank already offers, helping to attract more investors both from within Wales and further afield. “In addition to this, an exciting collaboration between Cardiff University, the Office for National Statistics and the Development Bank will see the launch of an independent research body in later this year....... more ›