Latest news with #SocialBusinessWales
South Wales Argus
06-07-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Number of employee-owned businesses in Wales nears 100
As of now, 95 businesses in the country are employee-owned, surpassing the Welsh Government's target of reaching 74 by 2026. The announcement comes on Employee Ownership Day, celebrated for highlighting the advantages of businesses owned by their employees. Research indicates that such businesses are particularly successful, with employees showing increased engagement and commitment. The commercial benefits of this model are proving increasingly appealing to entrepreneurs, who see it as a way to attract and reward talented employees, while also fuelling business growth. One business that has transitioned to employee ownership is Cambrian Training Group. The Welshpool company, a leading provider of apprenticeship and vocational training across the country, celebrated 30 years in business by becoming employee owned earlier this year. The company was established in 1995 as a subsidiary of Mid Wales Tourism to deliver vocational and hospitality skills as part of the development of the region's tourism sector. It now employs 65 staff and has expanded its work-based learning, skills and apprenticeship programmes into a range of other sectors, including manufacturing, retail, and financial services. Arwyn Watkins OBE, of Cambrian Training Group, said: "Securing Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) status is a significant step in our journey. "Our employees are at the heart of everything we do, and this move ensures that they have a direct stake in our continued success. "The decision to move towards an EOT rather than opting for a trade sale was motivated by the desire to sustain the company's culture, values, and commitment to quality over the long term." Welsh Government's Business Wales and Social Business Wales service offers specialist advice to support such employee buy outs. The services offer fully funded and bespoke help to business owners contemplating employee ownership and share schemes. Rebecca Evans, cabinet secretary for economy, energy and planning, said: "By improving employee well-being and job satisfaction, the employee-ownership model plays a key part in strengthening the foundations on which every successful business is built. "I urge more businesses to explore the benefits on offer via Business Wales and Social Business Wales, to ensure Wales-based companies remain in Welsh hands."
Business News Wales
20-06-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Number of Employee-Owned Businesses in Wales Nears 100
The number of employee-owned businesses in Wales is now approaching 100 – exceeding a Welsh Government pledge to get to 74 by 2026. The Welsh Government's Business Wales and Social Business Wales service offers specialist advice to support employee buy outs, with fully funded and bespoke help available to help business owners decide if employee ownership and share schemes are the right solution for their business. The number of employee-owned businesses in Wales now stands at 95, exceeding the Programme for Government commitment to double the number in Wales and reach 74 by 2026. Research shows that employee-owned businesses perform particularly strongly, with employees demonstrating greater engagement and commitment. The commercial benefits are also becoming increasingly popular with entrepreneurs creating new businesses to help attract and reward talented employees and drive business growth. One company to receive support is Cambrian Training Group, a leading provider of apprenticeship and vocational training across Wales. The Welshpool company, which marked 30 years of business by becoming employee owned earlier this year, was established in 1995 as a subsidiary of Mid Wales Tourism to deliver vocational and hospitality skills as part of the development of the region's tourism sector. It now employs 65 staff and has expanded its work-based learning, skills and apprenticeship programmes into a range of other sectors, including manufacturing, retail, and financial services. Arwyn Watkins OBE, of Cambrian Training Group, said: 'Securing Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) status is a significant step in our journey. Our employees are at the heart of everything we do, and this move ensures that they have a direct stake in our continued success. 'The decision to move towards an EOT rather than opting for a trade sale was motivated by the desire to sustain the company's culture, values, and commitment to quality over the long term.' The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, said: 'By improving employee well-being and job satisfaction, the employee-ownership model plays a key part in strengthening the foundations on which every successful business is built. 'It's proven benefits include giving employees more control over their own destiny, and providing business owners with the peace of mind that that the future of their business is in safe hands, and that the future of their highly valued employees has been safeguarded in the community the business was fostered in. 'I urge more businesses to explore the benefits on offer via Business Wales and Social Business Wales, to ensure Wales-based companies remain in Welsh hands.'
South Wales Argus
03-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Entries open for 2025 Social Business Wales awards
The annual awards, hosted by the Social Business Wales programme, celebrate the most inspiring and innovative social enterprises in Wales. Categories include "One to Watch" for enterprises under two years old, "Innovation of the Year," and "Environmental Social Enterprise of the Year." This year sees the introduction of a "Women's Champion of the Year" category, and a social impact award. The Community Impact Initiative (Cii), based in South Wales, was awarded the Social Enterprise of the Year title in 2024. Trystan Jones, their chief executive, said: "Winning a Social Business Wales award has been very meaningful for all of us." Down to Zero, a Rhondda Cynon Taf-based social enterprise, was named the "One to Watch." Project manager, Tom Addiscott, said: "It has given us kudos as a company, raised our volunteer numbers, and given our staff that 'feel good factor'." Glenn Bowen, director of enterprise at Cwmpas, said: "The Social Business Wales awards are about shining a light on the incredible work happening across Wales's social enterprise sector." Entries are open until Monday, July 14, with winners announced at an event in October.
Business News Wales
02-06-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Entries Open for 2025 Social Business Wales Awards
Social Business Wales award winners 2024 Social enterprises across Wales are being encouraged to celebrate their impact and enter the 2025 Social Business Wales Awards, which are now officially open for entries. Delivered by the Social Business Wales programme, the annual awards recognise the most inspiring and innovative social enterprises in Wales – organisations that are making a real difference to communities, the environment, and the economy. This year, categories include: • One to Watch – for emerging enterprises less than two years old • Innovation of the year – for creative enterprises developing new products and services • Environmental social enterprise of the year • Social enterprise building diversity, inclusion, equity and justice award • Community-based social enterprise – a place-based organisation making a big impact • Wales social enterprise of the year There's also a new 'Women's champion of the year' category, and a social impact award which will honour an organisation which brilliantly proves its impact through data and powerful storytelling. The 2024 Social Business Wales awards were held at Venue Cymru, Llandudno, where the South Wales-based Community Impact Initiative (Cii) won the Social Enterprise of the Year award. The Community Impact Initiative Trystan Jones, Chief Executive of the Community Impact Initiative, said: 'For the individuals we work with, seeing us win the Social Enterprise of the Year award gave them confidence that we know what we're doing, that we're an organisation worth talking to. 'Externally, it was the cherry on the cake. 'Internally, winning rubber-stamped our belief in what we're doing. It provided proof of the positive influence we have. It was a powerful affirmation. 'Winning a Social Business Wales award has been very meaningful for all of us.' Rhondda Cynon Taff-based social enterprise Down to Zero won the 2024 One to Watch award. Project Manager Tom Addiscott said: 'We were very proud of the One to Watch award. It has given us kudos as a company, raised our volunteer numbers, and given our staff that 'feel good factor'. That kind of recognition for volunteers is very important, and was wonderful to see.' Glenn Bowen, Director of Enterprise at Cwmpas, said: 'The Social Business Wales awards are about shining a light on the incredible work happening across Wales's social enterprise sector. 'We've seen how an SBW award win can raise an organisation's profile and open doors to new opportunities – and this year's simplified online entry system makes it easier than ever to take part.' Entries are open until Monday 14 July, with winners to be announced at a celebration event in October. To enter or find out more, visit the Social Business Wales website here.
