The Latest News from Wrexham Business Professionals

Company bosses urged to join the war against climate change

Company bosses in Wrexham are being urged to reduce their use of packaging and plastic waste in the war against climate change. The plea came from Wrexham AM Lesley Griffiths, who is also the Welsh Government Minister for the Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, at the annual dinner of  Wrexham Business Professionals. The group is made up of successful businesses and highly skilled professionals working together to promote regional prosperity and the enterprise and expertise that exists in the region.  Ms Griffiths told the packed Ramada Hotel function room that we only have a short period of time in which to act if we are to reverse the devastating effects of the “climate crisis”. She said: “We really do face a climate change emergency and we have to act now. I’m proud that Wales was the first country in the world to declare a climate emergency. “I hoped when we, the Welsh Government, made that declaration that we would see a wave of action both here in the UK and around the world. “We all need to take action, communities, businesses and governments if we are to reverse the devastating damaging climate change is and will continue to do around the world. “The Welsh Government is committed to achieving a carbon neutral public sector by 2030. We now need to co-ordinate the action required to help other parts of the economy move away from fossil fuels. “Our sustainable development and environmental legislation is recognised as world-leading and now we must use that legislation to set a new pace of change." She added: “Climate change is such a massive issue and something we all created. It’s now up to us all to do something about it. “If we look at recycling rates for example, a few years ago Wales was next to bottom in the league table but now we are currently third, just behind Singapore and Germany. “We took action and instigated change such as...... more ›

Business leaders urged to be more eco-friendly

A former film company boss has called on business leaders in North Wales to do more to save the environment. The plea from Justin Albert, the Director for Wales for the National Trust, came at a meeting of Wrexham Business Professionals, where he told the packed audience that the damaging effects of climate change were to be seen every day. The group is made up of successful businesses and highly skilled professionals working together to promote regional prosperity and the enterprise and expertise that exists in the region.  Mr Albert, who previously worked - in non-fiction production at Paramount Studios, is now also a member of the Ministerial Advisory Board set up by the Welsh Government’s Economy and Transport Minister Ken Skates. The other main speaker at the event held at Wrexham’s Ramada Hotel was leading businessman Alan Peterson, the Cardiff-born chair of both the South Wales-based international diagnostics provider, BBI Diagnostics, and the HSS Hire Group. In his speech Mr Albert homed in on the threat posed by climate change to future generations. He said: “There are sceptics but if only 50 per cent of what the scientists predict comes to pass then we face devastating consequences. It is the one issue that is worrying our children and the younger generation.   “I see it every day and the effect it is already having on the environment. We have to behave more responsibly. “At the National Trust I have invested millions of pounds into renewable energy. One of the first things we did was in Snowdon. More than 250,000 people walk up Watkin Pass every year. But we wanted to install a hydro unit to help deliver greener renewable energy. “Now the dam itself looks gorgeous, and Watkin Pass is back to looking fantastic. “It’s the same with our solar panels which we have installed at all our properties. We installed one at Bodnant Garden, one of the world’s best gardens. “It was name...... more ›

Top entrepreneur urges bosses to provide more mental health support for staff

One of Wales’s most successful businessmen will be urging company bosses to do more to help staff with mental health problems. Entrepreneur Alan Peterson OBE will tell business leaders in Wrexham that staff mental health difficulties have always been a massive issue that holds back many firms. He will be a key note speaker at a breakfast meeting of Wrexham Business Professionals at the town’s Ramada Hotel ono Thursday, September 19. The group is made up of successful businesses and highly skilled professionals working together to promote regional prosperity and the enterprise and expertise that exists in the region.  The other speaker  on the day will be Justin Albert, the Wales director of the National Trust. Cardiff-born Mr Peterson is chair of both the South Wales-based international diagnostics provider, BBI Diagnostics, and the HSS Hire Group. HSS Hire employs 2,900 people at 250 branches, providing tools, equipment and related services across the UK and Ireland, while the BBI Group offers diagnostic services in the healthcare, research, defence and the food industry across four continents and employs 450 people in facilities as far afield as America, China and South Africa Mr Peterson’s stellar career has also included leading roles at big hitters like Meyer International, 3i Group PLC and Rubicon Retail. He said: “Mental health is a massive problem and all too often it’s an issue that gets ignored. “It’s an issue that means many people are going to work and due to the stress they have in their lives they are only working at 50 per cent of their mental capacity. We have to be aware of these issues and help staff to deal with them. “Think of a single mum who knows her child is being abused on line. Naturally she will take that abuse into work with her it will be a load on her shoulders that she can’t shake off. “As managers and business professionals we need to be sure we are...... more ›

£5.6bn in exports help North East Wales punch above its weight

A third of Welsh exports worth £5.6 billion come from North Wales twin economic powerhouses of Wrexham and Flintshire, business leaders were told. The figure was revealed by Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns who praised the region for its “miraculous” contribution the Welsh economy when he addressed a meeting of Wrexham Business Professionals at the town’s Ramada Hotel. The group is made up of successful businesses and highly skilled professionals working together to promote regional prosperity and the enterprise and expertise that exists in the region.  The other keynote speakers were Welsh Government Economy and Transport Secretary Ken Skates, also the AM for Clwyd South, and Ian Bancroft, the Chief Executive of Wrexham County Borough Council. Mr Cairns said: “North Wales and Wrexham in particular - continues to punch well above its weight. “Exports from Flintshire and Wrexham are already at £5.6 billion, a third of the Welsh total. “Flintshire and Wrexham had the highest economic growth rate of any part of Wales in 2017 and North Wales had the highest employment rate in Wales last year. “That’s why I want to pay tribute to all of you and to recognise the role this region is playing in our country’s miraculous economic growth. For it is businesses that ultimately take the risks that result in prosperity.” He said it made him optimistic about the UK’s imminent departure from the European Union and added: “I see Brexit not as a hurdle but as a golden opportunity for Wales to assert its position within a global Britain, recognising the opportunities both in Europe and beyond. “I say this because 90 per cent of global growth will come from outside the EU over the next 10 years. “But that doesn’t mean we should ignore the European market on our doorstep. I don’t view it as one or the other – the EU Market or the rest of the world. “It’s more important than ever to look to both markets,...... more ›

I’ll smash the idea of a North-South divide

Economy Minister Ken Skates is pledging to answer critics who say there’s a North-South divide in investment and funding to support businesses. Mr Skates, who is also the AM for Clwyd South, will tell business leaders in Wrexham that he will guarantee that North Wales gets its fair share of his budget. He will make the promise at the next meeting of Wrexham Business Professionals at the Ramada Plaza Hotel on Thursday, July 4. The group made up of successful businesses and highly skilled professionals working together to promote regional prosperity and the enterprise and expertise that exists in the region.  The other keynote speakers will be Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns MP and Ian Bancroft, the chief executive of Wrexham County Borough Council. According to Mr Skates, setting up the headquarters of the Development Bank of Wales in Wrexham was a statement of intent. It was recently revealed the bank had invested a record £80 million in Welsh companies over the past year, with £17 million of that coming to North Wales. Mr Skates said: “For many years people in North Wales have questioned whether they have had a fair share of investment and funding. “The decision to headquarter the Development Bank of Wales in Wrexham was a deliberate one to make sure that we get fair funding and fair investment spread across the whole of Wales and also to address both the perception and, if there is one, address the reality as well. “What we have found with the first full year of performance since the bank’s headquarters was opened is that investment in North Wales is more than 21 per cent of overall Welsh investment which is a bit higher than the amount would have been per head of population. “However, it is on an upward trajectory as well so it’s clear that putting the headquarters in Wrexham has had huge benefits for North Wales as a whole in making sure that investment...... more ›