
Business Owner Attends Chancellor's Small Businesses Celebration
Tyra Oseng-Rees, founder and director of Oseng-Rees Reflection Ltd, attended the event which brought together winners and finalists of The Small Awards. This annual awards showcase is organised by Small Business Britain and celebrates the UK's 'smallest and greatest' businesses.
The event featured more than 40 small businesses, from micro-businesses and family businesses, to start-ups and high street heroes.
Tyra was a finalist in the Small Awards' Net Hero category for best sustainability-focused business, which recognises a small business with an exceptional commitment to environmental sustainability.
As a Net Hero finalist, Oseng-Rees Reflection Ltd was shortlisted for its pioneering work in sustainability and circular design. The company transforms demolition materials into low-carbon, high-impact installations.
Their award-winning cladding of the Grade II listed Buttermarket in Cornwall, featuring 800 recycled glass tiles, won the 2025 Surface Design Award for Exterior Surface of the Year.
The company's work was also recently featured in Business News Wales, highlighting how glass from the former Newport Centre was repurposed into a new architectural installation.
Tyra said:
'Getting invited to Downing Street was a real surprise, and a boost. As someone running a small business built on sustainability and creative thinking, it meant a lot to be in the room where big decisions happen. It showed me that voices like mine, focused on doing things differently and better for the planet, are starting to be noticed. I believe real change starts when we show up with honesty, ideas, and the guts to do things differently.'
Michelle Ovens CBE, Founder of Small Business Britain, said:
'Small businesses are the heart and soul of their communities and contribute massively to the UK economy,'
'It is fantastic to see the stellar achievements of Tyra recognised by the Chancellor and the Treasury in this way, at such a special event. It is so important that the whole nation gets behind small businesses and give them all the support they need.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


North Wales Live
5 days ago
- North Wales Live
UK roadshow to champion impact of local small businesses
Small Business Saturday's month-long UK roadshow is set to return as it announces plans to visit over 20 towns and cities across the country to celebrate the nation's vibrant small business community. Launching this autumn in Scotland - with stops in Lossiemouth, Aberdeenshire, and Edinburgh - 'The Tour' will spotlight some of the UK's most inspiring local businesses. Backed by BT it aims to recognise the vital role of small businesses in boosting local economies, creating jobs, and supporting communities. The nationwide journey will then continue across the rest of the UK throughout November, visiting towns and cities including Belfast, Manchester, Durham, Preston, Carlisle, Derby, Grimsby, Wrexham, Hereford, Newport, Plymouth, Salisbury, Cambridge, and London. In the lead-up to Small Business Saturday, 'The Tour' will shine a light on business owners, their stories, and the incredible local communities at the heart of the UK's 5.45 million small businesses, celebrating their critical contribution to the economy. Planned stops include visiting a range of small businesses, from a cycling adventure firm in Scotland and luxury handmade chocolatier in the North of England, to bakeries in Wales, and a shoe repair business in the South. "Being part of the Small Business Saturday Tour 2024 was such a fabulous experience! We loved welcoming the team, giving our brand more exposure and meeting so many other inspiring small businesses along the way," said Carol Jackson, Owner of ELJ Drinks Ltd. "The Tour is a fabulous celebration of entrepreneurial spirit, culminating in Small Business Saturday and we can't wait to be part of the magic again in 2025! If the tour is heading your way, don't miss it. Get involved, show up, and soak up the support, energy and wider community. You'll love it!" Small Business Saturday is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign that celebrates small business success and encourages consumers to 'shop local' and support businesses in their communities. Taking place this year on 6 December, Small Business Saturday is backed by its principal supporter American Express. Now in its thirteenth year, Small Business Saturday has engaged millions of shoppers and helped generate billions of pounds in spending at small businesses across the UK. Coinciding with the roadshow, the campaign will also feature a full month of free online support for small businesses all over the UK. This includes daily workshops, mentoring sessions, and insight events featuring small business owners and industry experts. "Small Business Saturday is all about championing the incredible entrepreneurs who bring passion, innovation, and heart to communities across the UK," said Michelle Ovens CBE, director of Small Business Saturday UK. The Tour gives us the opportunity to hit the road and engage directly with the nation's favourite small businesses, celebrating their unique stories and the essential role they play in strengthening local economies. We're excited to begin this next chapter and highlight the creativity and resilience that make small businesses the foundation of our communities." With the roadshow expected to cover around 3,000 miles, 'The Tour' will continue to use electric vehicles to reduce emissions and showcase the sustainable choices many small business owners are making on the journey toward net zero. 'Small businesses are vital to the UK economy, and providing entrepreneurs with the right support is crucial to their success,' said Chris Sims, Chief Commercial Officer, UK Business, at BT. "The Tour offers a great platform to engage with small businesses across the country, delivering tailored advice and resources to help them grow and adapt. This is an important initiative that allows businesses to connect for good, strengthening local communities and fostering innovation and resilience across the economy.' Tour Dates The Small Business Saturday tour will visit the following UK locations: Monday 3rd November - Lossiemouth Tuesday 4th November - Aberdeenshire Wednesday 5th November - Edinburgh Thursday 6th November - Belfast Friday 7th November - Preston Monday 10th November - Carlisle Tuesday 11th November - Durham Wednesday 12th November - Manchester Thursday 13th November - Grimsby Friday 14th November - Derby Monday 17th November - Wrexham Tuesday 18th November - Hereford Wednesday 19th November - Newport Thursday 20th November - Crediton Friday 21st November - Plymouth Monday 24th November - Salisbury Tuesday 25th November - Brighton Wednesday 26th November - Maidstone Thursday 27th November - Leighton Buzzard Friday 28th November - Cambridge Monday 1st December - London Tuesday 2nd December - London Wednesday 3rd December - London


Wales Online
6 days ago
- Wales Online
Today's rugby news as Wales receive major injury boost and Louis Rees-Zammit move ruled out by coach
Today's rugby news as Wales receive major injury boost and Louis Rees-Zammit move ruled out by coach The latest rugby headlines from Wales and around the world Rees-Zammit has had a move to one English side this season ruled out These are your latest rugby headlines on Wednesday, August 13. Rees-Zammit move ruled out by coach Newcastle coach Steve Diamond has ruled out a potential move for Louis Rees-Zammit ahead of the new season, despite the club's takeover by energy drinks giants Red Bull. The Premiership club - who will now be known as Newcastle Red Bulls - have had their long-term future secured by the deal with "world-class" players expected to join them over the next few seasons. As a result, many had touted Wales international Rees-Zammit - who is looking for a club after announcing his return to rugby from the NFL last month - for a move to the north-east. However, as the takeover was completed, Diamond said his team are 'just looking at the short term this season', with big-name signings not being considered over the next couple of years. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Asked about a potential move for Rees-Zammit, the coach said: 'All players are going to be of interest now, but at this moment in time, we're just looking at the short term of this season; he won't be joining us for this season. "We're just getting as competitive as we can for Saracens in late September. We'll be looking at world-class facilities, world-class players and world-class coaches coming to Newcastle over the next three or four years to hopefully dominate in the future.' Article continues below However, new signings will be arriving soon, with Diamond adding: "There'll be at least another two or three immediately. There are one or two guys who are currently playing in the southern hemisphere in the Rugby Championship, who won't be arriving till the autumn, but that's all in the plan." He continued: 'My job now is just to concentrate on the squad and the coaching staff on getting the best out of the current squad who've been through difficult times and the new players who are joining us. 'You can't just rush out and spend money. It never really works. So I think the infrastructure is really important, stadium, training ground, getting our academy right, making sure that it's producing kids with the right quality in the community. 'We've got to get our academy running as best we can get it. We've got to give kids a progression and the opportunity to learn, from 13 to 14, not just 15 to 16, and the skill sets cascade down from the first team, from the coaches of the first team, right through the academy system, so when people come in, they know that they're a Newcastle Red Bull. "They know what's expected of them, and they know what behaviour levels are expected of them. What I intend to do, certainly over the next six months, is to try and stabilise the place. We'll have a competitive squad, but that's just the beginning.' Wales get major injury boost as co-captain 'raring to go' By Ed Elliot, PA Co-captain Alex Callender is 'raring to go' for Wales' World Cup campaign after fearing she may miss the tournament following an injury scare. The Harlequins back-row sustained an ankle problem in the second Test defeat to Australia at the start of the month and was later pictured on crutches. But Callender, who on Monday was named in a 32-player squad, confirmed she will be available for her country's Pool B opener against Scotland on Saturday, August 23 in Salford. 'It was a precaution to take me off, I just tweaked an old injury, but I'm raring to go for Scotland,' Callender told reporters on Tuesday, according to BBC Sport. Callender missed most of the Six Nations with an ankle issue suffered playing for her club before impressing in Wales' 21-12 first-Test victory over Australia on July 26 in Brisbane. However, she left the field in the opening minutes of the 36-5 loss to the Wallabies in August 1's second Test in Sydney. Asked if she thought her World Cup was over at that stage, she replied: 'Yes, to be honest. But I'm in a really good place at the moment, I'm just excited to get going.' After beginning against Six Nations rivals Scotland, Wales take on group favourites Canada, who sit second in the world rankings, on August 30 and Fiji on September 6. Callender, who has 45 caps and will lead her country alongside Gloucester-Hartpury flanker Kate Williams, said: 'We live for these moments and these Test matches. 'We're all really excited to step out and showcase all the hard work that we've put in over the last couple of months, and hopefully we can put in a performance and the result will follow.' Springboks could lose top spot The Springboks could lose their spot at the top of the world rankings this weekend. Should Rassie Erasmus's team beat Australia, they will hold on to top spot no matter what happens in the other Rugby Championship match between Argentina and New Zealand. However, should the Springboks draw or lose to Australia, they will slip to second provided that the All Blacks beat the Pumas, with New Zealand then going top. Erasmus' side have been ranked as the best team in the world since November, when they took top spot back from Ireland, having previously held it from midway through the 2023 Rugby World Cup to September last year. History is on the Springboks' side, as they have never lost to Australia at Ellis Park before. However, the Wallabies are chasing another big win, having also won the final Test against the British and Irish Lions in Sydney earlier this month. 'It's really easy to look at what South Africa have done in the past and obviously they're a world-class team and for us it's just taking them for face value,' said Wallabies hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa. 'We respect what they've done, we respect them as a team, winning World Cups but we're just going to take them at face value – what we see in front of our faces in Ellis Park is how we're going to see them. 'I definitely think we're at a better place now than we were 12 months ago. 'Off the back of a really good win against the Lions, we just want to continue to build that momentum going into the TRC (The Rugby Championship) against South Africa, Argentina and then the All Blacks. 'First stop though here at Ellis Park, so we're looking at definitely continuing that momentum.' England star 'inspired' by Lionesses By Ed Elliot, PA World player of the year Ellie Kildunne intends to emulate Lionesses star Chloe Kelly by ensuring her name is printed on fans' shirts following the Women's Rugby World Cup. The Harlequins full-back is brimming with confidence ahead of her country's quest for global glory on home soil and has taken inspiration from England's footballers retaining the European Championship title. Arsenal forward Kelly played a starring role in the Euro 2025 triumph in Switzerland after propelling herself into the limelight by scoring the winning goal in the Euro 2022 final at Wembley. Kildunne is key to the Red Roses' ambitions of lifting silverware at Twickenham next month and hopes the team can follow in the Lionesses' footsteps by becoming household names and raising the profile of women's sport. 'Outside this pub, there are Chloe Kelly shirts being sold on the street,' Kildunne, who is supporting Asahi Super Dry's campaign to have the tournament shown in pubs across the UK, told the PA news agency. 'That's what the Euros have done for the Lionesses and the opportunity we've got with this World Cup is to have Kildunne shirts being sold on the side of the street; for young girls and boys to have posters of Emily Scarratt and Meg Jones on their walls and not just Jonny Wilkinson. Article continues below 'I'm inspired by the Lionesses and what they've done for women's football and I hope for nothing less (for women's rugby) than what they've been able to achieve so far.'


Wales Online
09-08-2025
- Wales Online
Welsh team emerge as surprise contenders in major battle to sign Louis Rees-Zammit
Welsh team emerge as surprise contenders in major battle to sign Louis Rees-Zammit Louis Rees-Zammit may be coming 'home' in every sense of the word Louis Rees-Zammit could play his club and international rugby in Wales. (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd) Cardiff Rugby have reportedly emerged as surprise contenders to sign Louis Rees-Zammit ahead of his return to rugby. The former Wales international left rugby in January 2024 to become an NFL player but has returned after a season with Jacksonville Jaguars. The former Gloucester Rugby winger did not play for Jaguars despite being part of their 17-player practice squad, and is now hoping to return to club and international rugby. He revealed to Sky Sports last week that he has received "loads of interest" since the announcement was made. RugbyPass have reported that Cardiff, who are currently owned by the Welsh Rugby Union, are in the race to sign Rees-Zammit. If he were to pen a deal at the Arms Park, it would be a substantial shot in the arm for the game going forward in Wales. Rees-Zammit will no doubt be the subject of interest from across England and France, too. The 24-year-old's stock has risen massively since his bombshell move, and his rugby ability coupled with commercial potential will make it an incredibly tough battle for his signature. Cardiff have already signed Wales stars Ioan Lloyd and Taine Basham, and with an EPCR Challenge Cup group that includes Racing 92 and Ulster, firepower like Rees-Zammit's could be very handy next season. The obvious caveat here is how Cardiff would finance such a deal, of course. Article continues below Because Rees-Zammit won't be short of interest and he will surely be allowed to name his price. He is also understood to be a target of the new breakout R360 league, which is aiming to poach the world's greatest players on huge contracts in a eight-franchise competition set to take place across the world in 2026. According to the Daily Mail, Rees-Zammit will sign a 12-month contract with a club for the 2025/2026 season, and then join the R360 league. R360, should it get off the ground, would take place in London, Tokyo, Dubai, Cape Town and Miami. Some players could earn £740,000 a season, which will run from September to December 2026, with just eight games to begin with. Bristol Bears are also reportedly interested in opening contract talks with the Welshman, according to The Telegraph, as they have space in the salary cap and need a winger for the new season. Speaking to Sky Sports, Rees-Zammit provided clarity on his current situation. 'I mean, I obviously can't name teams, but we've had a load of interest, which is unbelievable," he said. "You know, I'm very grateful for that. We're still going through what the full plan is for me. "Obviously the season starts pretty soon. So it's about finding the right team for me in terms of location, in terms of how quick I've got to get into camp. Article continues below "All of these things are going to happen pretty sharpish, and because the season's right around the corner, so all of these things are going to happen pretty sharpish. "So me and my brother are going through negotiations and seeing teams interested, which is amazing. So we should find out in the next week or so."