Lauren Phillips

United Kingdom, Wales

Business Reporter at BusinessLive UK

Articles

Financing Food for a Better Future

2 months ago | findevgateway.org | Niclas Benni |Adriano Campolina |Lauren Phillips

Skip to main content Hunger has increased substantially since the Third Financing for Development Conference held in Addis Ababa in July 2015, reaching 733 million people in 2023. Yet, financing for agrifood systems, which was already insufficient, has not increased substantially since then. The Fourth Financing for Development Conference due to take place in July 2025 is a crucial opportunity to prioritize increased investment in the transformation of agrifood systems.
Is FOMU Holding You Back from the Home of Your Dreams?

May 21, 2024 | yahoo.com | Lauren Phillips

The fear of messing up—FOMU—can keep you from tackling even the simplest DIY project. Here’s what you need to know to get over it, and finally make your home your own. No one likes messing up, and an aversion to making mistakes isn’t necessarily a problem—until that aversion veers into fear, and that fear prevents you from trying something or taking risks (even small ones). When it comes to home improvement projects, this fear of messing up, or FOMU, can really hold you back.
Cardiff workplace training firm acquired in multi-million pound deal

Nov 24, 2023 | business-live.co.uk | Lauren Phillips

Cardiff-based workforce health and safety training provider Astutis has been acquired by Wilmington plc in deal worth up to £21.5m. The deal, advised on by Gambit Corporate Finance, was for an initial consideration of £16.8m, with contingent consideration of up to £4.7m based on Astutis' performance in each of the two years ending 30 June 2025 and 30 June 2026. The total consideration will be financed from the Group's existing cash resources.
£10m Port Talbot Waterfront Property Development Fund launches second funding round

Nov 23, 2023 | business-live.co.uk | Lauren Phillips

The second round of a £10m property development fund aimed at boosting investment in the Port Talbot Waterfront area has opened. Neath Port Talbot Council has announced that it is actively looking for expressions of interest from companies, land owners and developers. The Property Development Fund (PDF) will be used to redevelop the Port Talbot Waterfront area, including Harbourside, Baglan Energy Park, and Baglan Industrial Estate.
The Welsh firms awarded £8m investment to boost Wales' space infrastructure

Nov 23, 2023 | business-live.co.uk | Lauren Phillips

Two pioneering space companies in Wales have been awarded almost £8m from a new fund set up by the UK Space Agency to develop two research, manufacturing and testing facilities in Wales. Cardiff scale-up Space Forge has received £7.9m to build a National Microgravity Research Centre for advanced material research and production. The total cost of building the centre is £13m which will be reached through match contributions, says Space Forge.
Made Smarter scheme to be rolled out to Wales

Nov 23, 2023 | business-live.co.uk | Lauren Phillips

A movement helping SMEs join the fourth industrial revolution is to be rolled out to Wales. The Made Smarter adoption programme helps manufacturers access technology and digital skills. It was initially launched in the north west of England but the UK Government has now confirmed that it will expand the programme to Wales from 2026-27, alongside Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as other parts of England.
The latest promotions, appointments and jobs news in Welsh business

Nov 23, 2023 | business-live.co.uk | Lauren Phillips

Welsh businesses have announced a string of high-level appointments and promotions in the last month. In our latest jobs round-up, we take a look at some of those who have taken on new roles. If you have a new or recent appointment or promotion that you would like featured in our next round up, please e-mail [email protected]. Paramount Office fitout and design firm Paramount has promoted Hayley Ivin to marketing director as it looks on track to achieve a turnover of £60m.
Pioneering Swansea University medtech spin-out CanSense appoints first chair

Nov 22, 2023 | business-live.co.uk | Lauren Phillips

Swansea University medtech spin-out CanSense has appointed its first chair to guide the company’s growth and development following significant investments for its bowel cancer diagnostic test. The company has appointed Ian Smith, who has held several senior positions in venture capital-backed and listed businesses in various technology sectors, as chair and non-executive director.
E-learning startup boosted with six-figure equity investment

Nov 22, 2023 | business-live.co.uk | Lauren Phillips

A Cardiff start-up has been backed with a six-figure finance package to boost its workplace training. E-learning firm Academii has received an equity investment of £370,000 from the Development Bank of Wales and a syndicate of nine business angels. Lead investor Andrew Diplock has led the fundraise which includes £185,000 from business angels and £185,000 match-funding from the Development Bank’s Wales Angel Co-investment Fund.
Autumn Statement: Welsh firms welcome tax breaks and second investment zone for Wales

Nov 22, 2023 | business-live.co.uk | Lauren Phillips

Welsh firms have broadly welcomed Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement, which includes tax breaks for companies and a second investment zone for Wales. Mr Hunt said the new investment zone would be based around Wrexham and Flintshire. The Welsh Government has been pressing for two zones in Wales, one in the south-east and one in the north-east of the country.