Wales Monthly Update
1 May 2025
As we step into May, the days are getting longer and the buzz of early summer is in the airbringing with it fresh opportunities to connect in 2025! Catch up with our latest Wales Monthly Update, where we’ll reflect on April’s highlights and share what’s coming up in the months ahead. Don’t miss out –takea lookand make sure you’reup to speed with everything we’ve got going on!
Campaigning and Policy Activity
We were delighted to announce the appointment of John Hurst, Director of Cardiff-based B2B IT Services, as our new Chair. John is a dynamic entrepreneur and passionate advocate for the Welsh business community, who brings a wealth of experience to the role. Prior to his current venture with B2B IT Services, John had a successful career spanning manufacturing, technology, and professional services. He also has extensive experience in international trade, exporting to over 100 countries.
Following his appointment, John said: "I am honouredandexcitedtotakeontheroleofChair of FSB Wales, and to be a champion for small businesses across the country. Running a business and raising a family in Wales means I know the incredible potential this country has, and I am committed to working with our members to foster a thriving business environment that supports growth, innovation, and success for all.
“These are challenging times and tough trading conditions for many business owners, particularly for those facing steep increases in employment costs this April. In today's unpredictable world, it’s more important than ever that we support Welsh businesses and ensure their voices are heard. FSB’s volunteer ethos is a key part of encouraging our members to engage, support and inform our work.
"Ben Francis’ steadfast leadership over the past seven years as FSB Wales Policy Chair, and his part in firmly establishing FSB as the leading voice of small business, has been critical in steering the organisation through some of the most challenging periods for the Welsh business community, including the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing economic uncertainties. I would like to thank Ben for all he has done for the organisation and its members. He has created a solid and successful foundation for us to build upon.
“Wales’s strong sense of community makes this a great place to live and do business, and I look forward to meeting members and learning about their stories over the months to come and making their needs understood by Welsh decision makers.”
Ben Cottam, Head of FSB Wales, joined the third meeting of the Welsh Economic Growth Advisory Board, established by the Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens MP. The discussion focused on the challenges and solutions for businesses in Wales seeking access to finance in order to scale-up and grow.
The FSB Wales team were joined by the Deputy Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, David Chadwick MP, at FSB award winning restaurant, Hills Brecon. This thriving local business is offering exceptional gourmet burgers with locally sourced ingredients and creating jobs in the heart of Brecon. The discussion covered the challenges and opportunities for businesses in the region, including how to further boost Brecon as a top visitor destination, and the increasing pressures of rising costs.
The team also met with David Chadwick MP and the Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats in Wales, Jane Dodds MS, at the party’s Spring conference to discuss the current challenges and opportunities for small businesses in Wales.
Following US tariff announcements, FSB urged the Welsh Government to equip Business Wales to guide businesses through trade barriers and opportunities for market diversification, while monitoring the economic impact. This is vital to ensure that those small businesses affected can continue exporting and be supported to thrive in a competitive global market.
The team held a roundtable discussion with small businesses to discuss ideas for the future of our high streets and how policymakers can support town centre regeneration.
Some of the topics covered during the discussion include business rates, the impact of increasing employment costs, how to improve public transport provision and the availability of parking and the cleanliness of our high streets.
FSB attended an Economic Summitt hosted by Plaid Cymru’s Economy Spokesperson, Luke Fletcher MS, to hear about the party’s proposals for the future of the Welsh economy, including ideas influenced by FSB research on growing Wales’s “Missing Middle” – that is, how can we create an environment that fosters the growth of medium sized businesses and retains wealth in our communities.
Our Head of Policy will give evidence to the Senedd Committee on the new Bus Services Bill and bus reform in Wales on 22 May. If you have any views on how bus public transport affects your business, do get in touch with Llyr at llyr.apgareth@fsb.org.uk
FSB Wales team are currently finishing off our report on Business Support in Wales and how to make a better support environment for SMEs like yours – watch this space for release in the next few months!
North Wales Update: Mike Learmond
Since our last update we have held a number of events, including our annual March for Business Dinner, which attracted over 100 business people from all over North Wales and brought them together for an evening of informal networking, good food and the opportunity to listen and learn from some brilliant speakers.
We also had our first outing to the Welsh Mountain Zoo in Colwyn Bay, which again was a great opportunity to network in some glorious surroundings. Look out for a rerun in September!
Conferences were a big part of the Spring calendar and we spoke at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Wellbeing at Work Conference as well as having exhibition space at the Welsh Government Explore Export Conference in Llandudno and the Institution of
Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) conference focussing on Safety in Rural Industries. We also attended the Plaid Cymru Conference in Llandudno and spoke with MPs and MSs, expressing our policy positions to support small businesses.
Our regular in-person and virtual networking events continue to be popular, so please do give them a try.
Coming up, we have an exciting event at AMRC Cymru in Broughton, exploring crimes against businesses including fraud and cyber crime, and a joint event with Moneyworks Wales on how to support your staff with financial resilience policies.
Look out soon for the booking link for our annual Small Business Conference which will be held this year at Wrexham University. Please reserve the date in your diaries for 26 June 2025!
South Wales Update: Rob Basini
April saw FSB Wales attending a range of events with a view to representing the needs of small businesses in Wales, including Living Streets’s event, focusing on‘The Pedestrian Pound’and how better streets benefit all. We also supported Moneyworks Wales Roadshow event in Cwmbran, which emphasised how managers and staff in businesses can benefit from better personal financial awareness.
Also this month, we welcomed our Being Responsible Businesses group to learn about how we can promote and publicise the good things businesses do more effectively.
It was a pleasure to take part in Cre8ion marketing agency’s podcast this month and to discuss the many challenges small businesses face at present, and as always it was good to feed into the West Wales Regional Skills Partnership board on employment challenges that small businesses continue to face.
Our Swansea Area Networking event in the Swansea area was again well attended, and led to lots of positive links being made by businesses in the room. Our West Wales Business Networking event was also once again really positive for all those attending, and it was a pleasure to be able to support our FSB UK Disabled Entrepreneurs’ Networking. We’ve also enjoyed some great Wales Virtual Networking events, it’s always wonderful to welcome people to join our virtual community from all across Wales and the UK.
Over the coming month, we're looking forward to meeting existing and new businesses at Cardiff Capital Region’s skills event in Newport, and at the Welsh Business Show In Cardiff.
As guest speaker at the Caerphilly Business Club event in late May, we are looking forward to discussing the current business landscape with businesses in the area.
We’ll also be finalising some upcoming events across West and Mid Wales very soon.
