Latest news with #DevelopmentBankofWales
Business News Wales
5 days ago
- Business
- Business News Wales
Development Bank Backs Captains' Training and Mentorship Platform From Top Sporting Leaders
Ria Burrage-Male, Captains Clubhouse; Chris Stork, Development Bank of Wales; Vicki Sutton, Captains Clubhouse Two Welsh elite sportswomen have launched a new business to support and upskill sports captains across the UK and beyond. The pair has been backed by a £20,000 micro loan from the Development Bank of Wales. Captains Clubhouse is a world-first global platform dedicated to growing and supporting sports teams' captains, vice-captains and aspiring captains at every level, from amateur clubs to international professionals. Founders Ria Burrage-Male and Vicki Sutton have years of experience in the sports sector, including serving as team captains themselves, along with backgrounds in leadership, mentoring and consulting. Ria is founder of KIBO Group and owner of Aberdare Feet podiatry. She is also a trustee of Cymru Women's Sport and former CEO of Hockey Wales, while Vicki is a member of the Welsh Rugby Union's (WRU) Woman's Rugby Committee, and a former CEO of Wales Netball and Cardiff Dragons Netball. Through the Captains Clubhouse platform, the duo will connect members to a global community of sporting peers, and offer captaincy tools, training and support networks to boost their performance on and off the field, court or pitch. It also offers guidance on team dynamics, decision-making, emotional intelligence and more, as well as exclusive recorded interviews with veteran captains. The £20,000 micro loan from the Development Bank of Wales will allow Vicki and Ria to invest in content creation and marketing for Captains Clubhouse. Vicki Sutton said: 'This is the only platform of its kind that we know of. We couldn't find anything that was similarly global or pan-sport, going from grass roots sporting right up to the elite.' The duo realised the potential of the Captains Clubhouse platform after trialling it with 25 sporting professionals as part of a pilot. Vicki said: 'We had a lot of people on the pilot, and they said they couldn't believe no-one had thought of something like it before. We realised it would be an exciting opportunity – but we also recognised people wouldn't know they needed it until we started it.' She added: 'Both Ria and I have spent money and time ourselves to get the business to a good starting position, but we knew we needed more support to take it further. The Development Bank was the perfect solution to what we needed. We're both quite determined and like getting stuff done quickly. It suited ours needs brilliantly.' Chris Stork, Investment Executive at the Development Bank of Wales, said: 'Ria and Vicki are doing fantastic work in an area which is largely untapped. The services they provide bring together sporting captains to provide them with catered support and training, improving themselves and the teams they lead.' The Development Bank offers micro loans from £1,000 to £100,000, with fixed interest rates for the duration of a loan, flexible terms and fast-track applications available. For more information, visit Development Bank of Wales – Micro Loans
Business News Wales
31-07-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
People to Premises: The Real Challenges Facing Welsh Businesses Today
Over the past 15 years, I've worked with hundreds of businesses across Wales at every stage of their journey, from start-ups with big ideas to long-established firms looking to take that next bold step forward. No matter the sector or size, the same themes come up time and time again. Growth is rarely about a single breakthrough moment. More often, it's about navigating a series of very real, very human challenges and finding the right support at the right time to overcome them. I work for Business in Focus and in my role as a Relationship Manager delivering on the Welsh Government's Business Wales service, we help businesses to unlock their potential, whether that's through guidance on funding, strategic advice, or just being a sounding board when decisions feel overwhelming. But what's really striking, after more than a decade in business support, is that the core challenges businesses face haven't changed all that much. The first is people. Recruiting and retaining the right staff is consistently one of the biggest hurdles. Skills shortages in key industries, changing expectations around work-life balance, and the pressure of competing with larger firms make it hard for small and medium-sized businesses to build the teams they need. And when you can't find the right people, or keep them, it slows everything else down. We work with businesses to help them think differently about talent, improve their employment offer, and find ways to connect with local pipelines and skills initiatives. For a long time, the biggest issue after people was always finance. Accessing growth capital, particularly at reasonable rates or with the right repayment terms, was often the missing piece. Thankfully, things have evolved. We now have a broader funding landscape in Wales, with support from the Development Bank of Wales, UK Government funding, and other private and public options. That said, it can still be daunting to navigate, and that's where Business Wales makes a big difference by helping businesses understand their funding options, get investor-ready, and apply with confidence. But in the past few years, a new challenge has overtaken finance as the number one concern I hear from businesses, and that's property. Right now, the single biggest barrier to growth for many Welsh businesses is the lack of available commercial space. It's not just about affordability; it's about availability. Businesses ready to expand, recruit, and increase output are struggling to find units, offices, or industrial premises that meet their needs. I've worked with businesses occupying multiple smaller units because there simply wasn't a single suitable building available. In one recent case, a company using four separate units is in the final stage of funding to build a custom facility, thanks to the right support, they hope to be able to grow and scale on their own terms. Even better, those four units should then be freed up for other growing businesses. That's the kind of knock-on effect we need more of if we want Wales' economy to thrive. Through our work delivering the Business Wales service, my colleagues and I take pride in playing a part in these success stories. Our job is to sit down with business owners, understand their goals, and work with them to identify barriers and solutions. Every business journey is different, but the challenges are often shared. And so is the support. Wales is full of businesses with extraordinary potential. But potential alone isn't enough. You need the infrastructure, the networks, the advice, and the confidence to act. If your business is ready to grow or just needs a fresh pair of eyes to help figure out what's next—reach out to Business Wales. Business Wales is here to help and will support you every step of the way.
Business News Wales
31-07-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Investment Specialists Join the Board of the Development Bank of Wales
Annie Ropar, Non-Executive Director; Giles Thorley, Chief Executive; Sally Bridgeland, Chair; Paul Oldham, Non-Executive Director Leading UK finance specialists Annie Ropar and Paul Oldham have joined the Board of the Development Bank of Wales as Non-Executive Directors. Annie is Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer of the National Wealth Fund. She was previously one of the first employees of the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB), joining as its inaugural Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer. Annie also spent five years with Aequitas NEO Exchange Inc. (now CBOE Canada), and nine years with Royal Bank of Canada's Capital Markets arm, where her career spanned finance, private equity and the institutional equity trading business. Paul Oldham is a Portfolio Director and Investment Committee member of equity investment company BGF. He joined BGF in May 2011 and established and managed the company's offices in Bristol, Cardiff and Reading. He previously worked as a private equity investor for 16 years with 3i and LDC. Having qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG, Paul's career has also included a period of six years as a Partner with Grant Thornton during which time he led the firm's South West and South Wales corporate finance advisory team. Honorary Group Captain Sally Bridgeland is Chair of the Development Bank. She said: 'I'm delighted to welcome Annie and Paul as Board members at this exciting time for the Development Bank of Wales. With over £2 billion in funds under management and a portfolio of more than 3,600 businesses, our influence is growing and reaching deeper into communities across Wales. 'The Development Bank has become a vital link between institutional investors and local enterprises—bridging the gap and unlocking opportunities for partnership between the public and private sectors. I firmly believe collaboration is the cornerstone of sustainable growth, and with these new appointments, we are further strengthening our position as a trusted partner to Welsh businesses, investors and communities.' Paul Oldham said: 'The Development Bank is widely respected as the leading provider of sustainable and effective finance for Welsh businesses. The business model ensures Welsh taxpayer funds are treated responsibly without compromising ambition while the early-stage support for high-potential ventures is preparing companies like Development Bank-backed Coincover and Space Forge to compete on the global stage. 'I'm looking forward to what I am sure will be a deeply rewarding opportunity to help shape the future of SMEs across Wales by guiding funding decisions that enable startups, scale-ups, and communities to thrive.' Annie Ropar added: 'The Development Bank of Wales is a catalyst for local innovation, job creation, and economic balance. With a focus on sustainable economic growth, we have the potential to transform regions by unlocking talent, building ecosystems, and levelling up opportunity where it's needed most. I saw the difference that this approach made in Canada during my time with the Canada Infrastructure Bank and it is now also at the heart of the work that we're doing at the National Wealth Fund. I'm excited about bringing this experience to Wales and doing what I can to encourage collaboration and maximise the impact of private investment alongside public finance for the people of Wales.' As a public finance institution owned by the Welsh Government, the Development Bank of Wales provides loans and equity for Welsh businesses, people and communities in support of the Government's wider policy objectives including the transition to a low-carbon economy and the development of new homes and commercial property. £959 million has been invested in SME businesses and property developers by the Development Bank since its launch in 2017. The Development Bank now has £2 billion in funds under management and a portfolio of more than 3,600 small business customers. Debt and equity funding totalling £152 million helped 502 businesses to create and safeguard 6,185 jobs across Wales during 2024/25.
Business News Wales
23-07-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Accountancy Business Buys Llanelli Firm with Development Bank of Wales Support
A Swansea-based accountancy firm has taken on a Llanelli counterpart following a six-figure loan from the Development Bank of Wales. Unity Accountancy bought TA Llanelli supported by a £280,000 loan from the Wales Flexible Investment Fund. The deal allows former TA Llanelli owner Roger Bowen to pursue other business interests, while bringing seven members of staff and a local client base of more than 700 businesses under Unity's management. Unity was launched by digital accounting expert Cerith Williams and co-director Ben Ruddle in January 2023. It uses AI technology and cloud-based accounting software to provide business customers long-term financial and tax advice based on real-time data. By automating traditional processes, Unity can focus on value-added service for its customers, along with identifying trends and guiding financial planning using live intelligence. Cerith and Ben hope TA Llanelli, which was established in 2004 and formerly operated under the Taxassist franchise, will be the first of many business acquisitions for Unity, and look forward to using their data-driven approach to advise TA Llanelli's longstanding customers. They plan to make their next acquisition before the end of the calendar year. Cerith said: 'We've been ahead of that trend in the sector which has seen more and more accountants provide pro-active business advisory services for their clients, rather than reactive, end-of-year audits. It's not just that we've adopted that approach, but that we've got the technology and the know-how needed to use it. 'Taking on TA Llanelli as our first acquisition was an obvious growth step for us. We've always planned on growing through acquisition, but their strong local networks and experienced team made them the ideal choice. We're really grateful for the support we've had from the Development Bank of Wales to complete the buyout.' Sally Phillips, Investment Executive at the Development Bank of Wales, said: 'Bringing together Unity's expertise with TA Llanelli's extensive client base will mean SME customers in this part of south-west Wales will have access to high-end, data-driven intelligence, which will support business growth in the area in turn. 'We're glad to have brought these two leading financial services together, and look forward to Unity's further growth as they take on future acquisitions.' Financed by Welsh Government, the Wales Flexible Investment Fund is for deals between £25,000 and £10 million. Loans, mezzanine finance, and equity investments are available for Welsh businesses with terms of up to 15 years. For more information, visit the Development Bank of Wales website.
Wales Online
08-07-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Fuel your business ambitions with the Development Bank of Wales
Whether you're turning a new idea into a reality or planning to scale your existing business, the Development Bank of Wales is here to help. With regional teams based throughout the country, the Development Bank provides flexible and tailored funding to support Welsh businesses at every stage of their journey. Whether you need funding to launch a new product, refurbish premises, or grow your team, loans are built to be flexible and accessible. Read on to find out more. Business loans designed to fit your needs The Development Bank offers a range of business loans to suit businesses of all sizes and ambitions: Micro loans from £1,000 to £100,000 to help small businesses get started or move forward. from £1,000 to £100,000 to help small businesses get started or move forward. Larger loans of up to £10 million to support established companies looking to expand or relocate to Wales. of up to £10 million to support established companies looking to expand or relocate to Wales. Property development finance for residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments - up to £10 million is available. Make your business greener - and more efficient The Green Business Loan Scheme helps Welsh businesses make environmentally conscious investments which help cut energy bills and reduce carbon emissions. With uncertainty around energy costs and increasing environmental targets, now is the perfect time to take action. The scheme offers: Discounted fixed-interest rates Capital repayment holidays Flexible patient repayment Take Wild Lakes, for example. As Wales' first wake park, this Narbeth-based business has switched to solar power following a £40,700 loan from the Welsh Government-backed Green Business Loan Scheme. The new 20kWh solar array has allowed Wild Lakes' owners to switch from powering the cables that create the artificial surf in its wakeboarding park with a diesel engine to clean solar energy. Eligible projects Eligible projects include: Upgrading heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems Improving building fabric through insulation, double glazing, and LED lighting Installing renewable energy like solar PV or heat pumps Enhancing water efficiency and waste reduction Replacing or improving key equipment with greener technology To qualify, businesses must be based in Wales and have been trading for at least two years, with one set of filed annual accounts. Equity investment to power high-growth ambitions Equity investment may offer the ideal solution for companies needing capital to scale up or innovate quickly. The Development Bank can invest from £50,000 to £10 million, with ongoing support from an experienced team and access to a wide investor network. Equity finance is a powerful tool for: Tech start-ups that lack collateral but have strong intellectual assets Established businesses with ambitious expansion plans Management teams undertaking a business buy-out Business owners preparing for sale and seeking to boost value It's also a flexible option that can complement traditional lending, giving businesses the firepower to reach their full potential. More than just finance What sets the Development Bank of Wales apart is its deep commitment to Welsh businesses and communities. Alongside funding, customers benefit from: Local, relationship-based support Access to industry experts and professional networks A long-term partner who understands the challenges of growing a business in Wales Whether you need patient capital to fund a transition, strategic equity to scale quickly, or a green loan to modernise sustainably, the Development Bank can tailor support that fits your vision. Find out more Why not pop along to one of the breakfast meetings or coffee mornings that your local team from the Development Bank will be hosting over the next few months? It's an opportunity to get to know the team and find out more about the funding available. You can register for events by emailing event@ In the meantime, if you're ready to take your next step, visit or call 0800 587 4140 to speak with a member of the team.
