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Expert picks: Essential resources to boost your leadership and business growth

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This month, Andy Bird (AGP Relationship Manager covering South East Wales) shares his go-to reads. Focused on practical wisdom and mindset shifts, his selections offer real-world lessons for business strategy, negotiation, and high-performance thinking.

We know your time is valuable. That’s why this series delivers expert-recommended books, podcasts, and tools that tackle real-world challenges and offer practical solutions to help your business succeed. Each month, our AGP Relationship Managers - seasoned experts working with high-growth businesses across Wales - share their top recommendations. These resources are carefully selected to help you lead confidently, drive growth, and embrace innovation while addressing your unique opportunities and challenges. This month, Andy Bird...
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Boosting team engagement in a hybrid working era

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Written by Kate Matthews, HR Consultant and Director, AGP Coach 

According to the Office for National Statistics, more than a quarter of working adults in Great Britain were hybrid working in autumn 2024. This shift presents a significant opportunity for high-growth businesses to enhance engagement, boost productivity, and foster a more inclusive workplace. Today’s workforce values flexibility, well-being, and a strong work-life balance. A well-structured hybrid model improves employee satisfaction and retention and supports diversity and inclusion. It provides greater accessibility for employees with disabilities...
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What is fair work and why is it essential for your business?

Fair Work encompasses six overarching principles of employment, which will significantly impact your ability to recruit and retain the most skilled and experienced employees and attain your high growth potential. Focusing on these six principles can give you a strategic advantage over your competitors and yield a substantial return on your employee investment. This article will help you understand how the Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP) can help you achieve this. How Can the Six Principles...
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Preparing for employment cost changes in 2025: A guide for AGP businesses

April 2025 has brought adjustments to employment costs, including wage increases, changes to National Insurance contributions (NICs), and updates to statutory payments. Understanding these changes and planning ahead will help businesses adapt effectively. Key changes effective from April 2025 1. National Minimum and Living Wage adjustments From 1 April 2025, the UK government introduced increases to the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW): National Living Wage (21+): Rising from £11.44 to £12.21...
BALDILOCKS
Case Studies

Transforming Hair Loss Support: BALDILOCKS and the Business Wales Start-Up Accelerator Programme

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"The Start-Up Accelerator Programme gave me the clarity, tools, and confidence to turn my hair loss journey into a business that inspires and empowers others. It’s been life-changing."

The Start-Up Accelerator is a flagship programme supporting Wales’ most promising entrepreneurs. Over an intensive 12-week course, participants receive expert mentorship, targeted business workshops, and networking opportunities to refine their ideas into scalable businesses. Dan Newman, co-founder of BALDILOCKS – a business that empowers people affected by hair loss - was among the 2024 cohort. Dan has built a brand focused on inclusivity, well-being, and community, inspired by his hair loss experience and mental health...
Mallows Beverages
Case Studies

Raising the Bar: How Mallows Beverages became a Welsh success story with Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme support

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"The Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme gave us the tools to scale strategically, seize new opportunities, and deliver success on our terms."

Mallows Beverages, a Tonyrefail-based premium beverage company, has built a reputation for quality and innovation in the competitive food and drink sector. The company has scaled rapidly, earning industry recognition and expanding its global reach. Behind this success lies a strategic partnership with the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP), which provides tailored support in financial planning, international market expansion, and operational strategy. Here, co-founder Andy Mallows shares the company's story and explains the AGP's...
Business Wales Start-Up Accelerator Programme announces award-winning entrepreneurs
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Business Wales Start-Up Accelerator Programme announces award-winning entrepreneurs

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The Business Wales Start-Up Accelerator Programme, part of the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme (BWAGP), has announced the winners of its latest awards, celebrating entrepreneurs who have demonstrated exceptional progress and creativity.

The Start-Up Accelerator supports early-stage businesses in Wales with high growth potential, helping them refine their business models, build sales pipelines and secure investment. Over the years, BWAGP has supported founders who have gone on to raise millions in investment, scale internationally and create thousands of jobs across Wales. The current cohort brought together 13 entrepreneurs for an intensive 10-week programme that helped them transform innovative ideas into thriving businesses with access to expert mentors...
Virtual Ward Technologies
Case Studies

Virtual Ward Technologies: Transforming healthcare with Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme support

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"The Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme has helped us navigate the complex journey from innovation to commercialisation.”

Virtual Ward Technologies (VWT) is at the forefront of healthcare transformation, facilitating a transition from hospital care to home-based health management. Its pioneering platform integrates advanced sensor technology, cloud computing, and medical expertise to deliver early intervention and personalised care for patients in the comfort of their own homes. The Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP) has supported VWT's growth, helping to transform its ambitious vision into a scalable, market-ready solution. Professor Rhys Thomas, founder...
EmWill Care
Case Studies

Empowering caregivers: EmWill Care’s journey through the Business Wales Start-Up Accelerator Programme

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“The programme has transformed my confidence as a founder. It has given me the tools to grow EmWill Care into a business capable of making a real difference in dementia care worldwide.”

The Business Wales Start-Up Accelerator Programme supports entrepreneurs in developing their businesses. Over 12 weeks, participants receive expert mentorship, tailored business workshops and networking opportunities to turn their ideas into scalable businesses. Among this year’s standout participants was Dr Emma Williams, a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst and Founder of EmWill Care. With over 27 years of experience in the care sector, Emma has created a product that combines behavioural science in dementia care, offering caregivers...
Bearhug
Case Studies

Empowering movement, transforming lives: Bearhug’s journey to success with Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme Support

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"The Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme has been a game-changer for Bearhug. The programme’s guidance in refining our strategy and expanding our capabilities saved our business during challenging times and positioned us for long-term success."

Bearhug, a Pontypool-based business specialising in bamboo joint supports and muscle sleeves, has carved a niche in the sports injury and recovery market. Founded in 2016, Bearhug uses innovative bamboo technology, renowned for its anti-inflammatory properties, to produce high-quality supports designed to help anyone, regardless of age or background move and recover from injury confidently. Bearhug’s story is one of resilience and adaptability, highlighting the impact of strategic, tailored business support. Innovation and determination enabled...

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