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Meet your Relationship Manager: Carmel Gahan, award-winning Business Growth Adviser

In this series, we’re introducing you to our expert Relationship Managers. This month, meet Carmel Gahan, a highly experienced adviser who combines a strong track record in business support with a passion for helping Welsh businesses grow and succeed. Carmel has dedicated her career to supporting entrepreneurs, from her early days as a Board member of Antur Teifi in Newcastle Emlyn to her current role on the Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP). A recipient of the...
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Unlocking potential: Why Jobs Growth Wales Plus should form part of your recruitment strategy

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By Lesley Rossiter, AGP Equality and Fair Work Champion

In today's competitive jobs market, finding employees with the right skills while managing costs can be challenging. That's where the Jobs Growth Wales Plus (JGW+) programme adds value as a strategic partnership to help you grow your team. What JGW+ offers employers JGW+ provides a compelling package for employers ready to invest in future talent. With up to 50% wage subsidy (at the National Minimum Wage) for six months, free recruitment support, and ongoing training...
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Where to start with carbon reduction: Practical tips for ambitious businesses

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By Shelley Lawson, AGP Carbon Champion

Measuring and reducing your carbon footprint isn't just about protecting the planet. It's about future-proofing your business and ensuring you don't get left behind. Customers and investors increasingly expect action on sustainability. Regulation is tightening. There's growing pressure on SMEs to decarbonise as larger customers look further up their supply chains to reduce their emissions. Starting now helps you stay ahead, cut costs, and build a stronger reputation. Acting early means you can make steady...
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5 ways to plug AI into your business processes

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By Lee Woodman, AGP Digital Strategy Coach

There's a powerful layer of AI integration that many businesses are still overlooking. While tools like ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude are widely used for writing, research and brainstorming, a bigger opportunity lies in embedding AI directly into your day-to-day operations. By plugging AI into your business processes, you can improve accuracy, reduce manual effort, and catch issues before they become costly. This article shares five practical ways founders and growing businesses can go beyond the...
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Meet our Gold Partners: Expert support to accelerate your growth

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By the AGP team 

We're building an evolving network of expert partners to help you scale faster and smarter. Our Gold Partners scheme brings together leading Welsh businesses who provide specialist in-kind support exclusively for companies on the Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP). These expert partners understand the challenges of high growth and are committed to helping Welsh businesses succeed. We're actively seeking new partners to expand this network and strengthen the support available to you. What Gold Partners offer...
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Welsh steel firm to help rebuild Ukraine with £1.1m bridge contract

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Pontypool-based Pro Steel Engineering secures major international deal to manufacture steel girders for war-damaged bridge near Kyiv

A Welsh engineering company is playing a vital role in Ukraine's reconstruction efforts after winning a £1.1 million contract to manufacture steel girders for a new bridge near Kyiv that was destroyed during the war with Russia. Pontypool-based Pro Steel Engineering secured the contract from ONUR Group following a competitive tender process lasting 2.5 years, beating off competition from across the UK to deliver 200 tonnes of steel girders that will be installed in the...
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Final call for applications to join the Business Wales Start-Up Accelerator

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Applications to the fully-funded programme for business founders in Wales close on 15th September 2025

Applications are open for the next Business Wales Start-Up Accelerator, a fully online, ten-week programme that runs from Tuesday 30th September 2025 to Friday 12th December 2025. The application deadline is Monday 15th September 2025. The accelerator is designed exclusively for Wales-based entrepreneurs with high-growth business ideas, supporting their journey from securing a first customer to preparing for investment. Participants will benefit from personalised support from experienced coaches, with a strong focus on building a...
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Inclusive workplaces: How they help you recruit, retain and grow

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By Lesley Rossiter, AGP Equality & Fair Work Champion

Creating a diverse, accessible workplace isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s a proven growth strategy. Inclusive businesses recruit from a wider talent pool, keep hold of great staff, and build a stronger reputation with customers, investors and partners. Why inclusive growth makes business sense As your business grows, you’ll need great people to help you scale. If your recruitment or workplace unintentionally excludes certain groups, you’re limiting your reach and missing out on...
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Meet your Relationship Manager: Howard Jones, from entrepreneur to growth adviser

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In this new series, we’re introducing you to our expert Relationship Managers. First up, meet Howard Jones, a seasoned adviser who blends deep commercial know-how with a passion for helping businesses unlock growth.

Howard is an experienced coach, consultant and business leader with a specialism in organisational development and high-growth strategy. A Chartered Fellow of the CIPD, he began his career at NatWest before moving into senior roles at the International Thomson Organisation. There, he launched a publishing venture and later co-founded a business in partnership with the Royal Institute of British Architects. As an Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP) Relationship Manager, he supports ambitious Welsh companies to scale...
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Make your entry count: 12 tips for writing winning award entries

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Written by Sara Robinson, AGP PR and Communications Coach

Want to raise your profile, attract investment or boost team morale? Winning awards can help you do all that and more. But if you want to get on the shortlist, you need to craft a compelling story that stands out, connects with judges, and shows exactly why your business deserves the spotlight. I’ve judged several awards and written many winning entries for my own business and others. Here are my top tips on what works...

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