News Icon
News

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

|

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...
News Icon
News

Boosting team engagement in a hybrid working era

|

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...
News Icon
News

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...
News Icon
News

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...
Business Wales Start-Up Accelerator Programme announces award-winning entrepreneurs
News

Business Wales Start-Up Accelerator Programme announces award-winning entrepreneurs

|

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...
People sitting around in a room talking
News

Aspiring Welsh entrepreneurs urged to apply for virtual Start-Up Accelerator Programme

Wales' brightest entrepreneurial minds are being urged to seize an opportunity to fast-track their business ideas. The Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme is now accepting applications for its innovative 10-week immersive Start-Up Accelerator Programme, which will launch on Tuesday 13 May 2025 and conclude on Friday 18 July 2025. This entirely virtual programme offers tailored support to help participants turn their ideas into fully operational businesses. Through targeted coaching and masterclasses, participants will learn how...
News
News

AI productivity tools every business leader should know about

In today's business environment we know we can use products with artificial intelligence to help us be more productive, but where to begin? Here are seven game-changing AI tools that can transform your productivity and give you more time to focus on strategic growth. Jaymie Thomas, Co-founder of AI Wales , an AI community based in Cardiff shares solutions that can help you save valuable time and drive efficiency. Tool: Motion https://www.usemotion.com/ What it does...
News
News

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

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. In every newsletter, our Relationship Managers, seasoned experts working with high-growth businesses across Wales share their recommendations. These resources are carefully selected to help you lead confidently, drive growth and embrace innovation while addressing the unique opportunities and challenges you face. This month, Nicola Rylett-Jones shares...
News
News

The top 10 tips for grant funding applications

|

Written by Jeremy Bowen Rees, Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme Relationship Manager

Securing grant funding can be pivotal for scaling up and implementing new ideas. However, the process can be complex and time-consuming. Jeremy Bowen Rees, Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP) Relationship Manager, brings 25 years of consultancy experience to share his top tips for crafting successful funding applications. 1. Sourcing available grants Explore comprehensive grant databases like Grant Finder , Funding Cymru and Grants Online Use resources from Business Wales and local councils, which often...
News
News

Upcoming changes to UK Employment Law: What you need to know

|

Written by Kate Matthews, HR Consultant and Director, EST Group

The Government is rolling out major reforms to employment law designed to improve pay, job security and workplace conditions. Most updates are expected to take effect in 2026, but acting now will help you stay ahead and strengthen your business . Below is our guide to the changes, with practical advice to help you prepare. What’s Changing? The new Employment Rights Bill will introduce significant updates to employment law. Key changes include: Day-one rights: Employees...

Categories

Archive