July 2022 News and Blogs

With miles of stunning coastline, rivers and lakes to explore in Wales, the RNLI and AdventureSmart UK offers water safety advice and guidance for anyone looking to get out on the water and for getting involved in the numerous water pursuits. At the online session hosted by Visit Wales last year, tourism businesses had the opportunity to hear from the RNLI and AdventureSmart UK on how to help guests and visitors stay safer in the...

A vital support scheme offering UK government-backed loans to small businesses will be extended for a further two years. The Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS), originally launched in April 2021 to help businesses recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic, has supported almost 19,000 businesses with an average of £202,000 in support. The maximum loan size remains at up to £2 million. However, recognising that businesses and the UK more generally are now in a better position than...

BSI is working with BEIS and the Race to Zero campaign to supply 100,000 free copies of BS ISO 50005, ensuring that no matter what size an organization is, everyone can take the first step to a Net Zero future. The ISO 50005 standard provides SMEs with a means to develop a practical, low cost-approach to energy management to reduce energy consumption, energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions. Using a phased approach enables quick wins...

The EU Prize for Women Innovators celebrates the women entrepreneurs behind game-changing innovations. In doing so, the EU seeks to raise awareness of the need for more women innovators and create role models for women and girls everywhere. The prize is awarded to the most talented women entrepreneurs from across the EU and countries associated to Horizon Europe, who have founded a successful company and brought innovation to the market. There are two prize categories...

HMRC are sending a letter to traders about acting now to move to the Customs Declaration Service. This applies if you make your own declarations or if someone submits import and export declarations on your behalf. You may not be able to continue trading if you do not move to the Customs Declaration Service in time. After 30 September 2022, the Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system will close for import declarations...

A truly global cheese event, World Cheese brings together cheesemakers, retailers, buyers, consumers and food commentators worldwide to judge nearly 4,000 cheeses from over 40 countries. It is with mixed emotions, but with enormous pride and excitement, that we are taking the 2022 edition of the World Cheese Awards to Wales, supported by the Welsh Government. The awards should be in Kyiv in November this year. The Guild of Fine Food, organisers of World Cheese...

Are you a Welsh business trying to implement sustainable products, services or operations, but struggling to find the time or resources to make it happen? The Circular Revolution conference will bring together companies in Wales looking to improve their circularity. This event is free and open to any businesses within Wales interested in exploring circular economy principles in their products, services and operations. The day will be packed with talks, panel discussions, workshops and facilitated...

Two million COVID-19 booster vaccinations have been administered in Wales and all eligible people will be offered an autumn booster by the end of November, the Minister for Health and Social Services has announced. Following a successful COVID-19 vaccination spring booster campaign, which saw 85% of adults aged 75 and over and almost 84% of care home residents take up the offer so far, all eligible individuals will be offered a COVID vaccine by the...

This Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) competition seeks proposals for novel and innovative high risk-high reward projects finishing at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3/ 4. The technologies developed will be based on innovative engineering biology solutions that address defence challenges in one or more of the three topics: Materials Power and Energy Sensing This competition will involve cutting edge, multidisciplinary research through the application of engineering biology tools and techniques, using novel research approaches and...

Innovate UK’s Women in Innovation Awards 2022/23 will open on 22 August 2022. Pioneering women entrepreneurs will be awarded with a cash injection of £50,000 each, as well as a bespoke package of business support, coaching and mentoring. Join the briefing event to learn more about the scope for this competition, the application process, and support available for applicants. You will also have the opportunity to hear from inspiring leaders in business innovation and from...