Latest news with #Llanelli-based
Pembrokeshire Herald
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Parc y Scarlets to host Haverfordwest's European adventure
UEFA Conference League clash to take place in Llanelli stadium PARC Y SCARLETS will once again welcome European football this summer, as Haverfordwest County AFC prepare for their latest UEFA Conference League campaign. The Llanelli-based stadium has been confirmed as the home venue for the Bluebirds' first qualifying round fixtures in the European competition. It marks another major football event for the ground, which has previously hosted Wales men's and women's internationals, most recently in 2023 when Cymru's women faced Ukraine and Kosovo in UEFA Euro 2025 qualifiers. Parc y Scarlets, the home of the Scarlets rugby team, was also the base for Llanelli AFC's European matches in 2009 and has regularly hosted domestic finals and Swansea City reserve games. Haverfordwest County secured European football for the second time in three seasons after their 3-1 victory over Caernarfon Town at the Ogi Bridge Meadow last week. They now enter the UEFA Conference League at the first qualifying round stage. The Bluebirds will find out their opponents when the draw is made at UEFA headquarters in Geneva on Tuesday, June 17. The two-legged tie is scheduled to take place on Thursday, July 10, and Thursday, July 17. Scarlets Managing Director Jon Daniels said: 'We are immensely proud of the facilities we have here at Parc y Scarlets and are thrilled to be hosting Tony Pennock and his Haverfordwest team for such an important fixture. 'We have hosted high-profile international, European and domestic matches since the Parc was opened in 2008 and the team here are looking forward to being part of Haverfordwest's European adventure.' Ticketing details will be announced in due course.
South Wales Argus
17-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Celtic Manor owner saw wealth fall by £200m last year
Sir Terry, the owner of the Celtic Manor Resort, now has a personal wealth of £1.338 billion, according to the annual Sunday Times Rich List. The 81-year-old, who was raised in Newbridge, made his fortune in the telecoms industry. He studied electronics at Swansea University before starting out on his journey in business in Canada. There, he launched his telecommunications equipment business, Mitel, in 1973. Besides his telecoms ventures, Sir Terry owns the Celtic Manor Resort in South Wales. (Image: Newsquest) The Newport businessman was the first billionaire in Wales and was the richest man in the country until 2012. Sir Terry currently ranks 119th in the UK rich list and fourth in Wales. The annual Sunday Times Rich List has seen a significant drop in the number of billionaires this year, from 177 in 2022 to 156. Cardiff-born billionaire Sir Michael Moritz and his wife, Harriet Heyman, hold the top position on the Welsh list, despite their fortunes falling by £168 million to £4.435 billion. Flintshire technology entrepreneur Simon Nixon, co-founder of takes second place with a worth of £1.95 billion. Llanelli-based Specsavers founder Douglas Perkins and his family are in third place with an estimated fortune of £1.539 billion. The fifth spot goes to Cardiff-born property investor and West Ham United owner David Sullivan and his family, with a net worth of £1.118 billion. Meanwhile, Alex Loven has been named the wealthiest person in Wales under 40. The 37-year-old started out in business selling cricket bats to his schoolmates at the age of 13. He later founded Wrexham-based Net World Sports. His net worth has increased to £262 million from £200 million last year, making him the 18th richest person under 40 in the UK. The 2025 Sunday Times Rich List names the 350 richest people in the UK based on identifiable wealth, including land, property, and assets such as art and racehorses, and significant shares in publicly quoted companies. The figures do not include bank accounts. This year's list, which includes notable figures such as Sir Elton John, Sir Mick Jagger, and Sir Lewis Hamilton, holds a combined wealth of £772.8 billion. This sum is larger than the annual GDP of Switzerland but is down three per cent compared with last year. Robert Watts, the compiler of the guide, said: "Our billionaire count is down, and the combined wealth of those who feature in our research is falling. "We are also finding fewer of the world's super-rich are coming to live in the UK. "The Rich List's decline in billionaire numbers is the sharpest in its 37-year history, reflecting changing economic conditions. "Despite this, the list remains a testament to the significant wealth held by a small number of individuals and families in the UK. "The list highlights the ongoing concentration of wealth in certain industries, particularly technology and telecommunications, as exemplified by figures like Sir Terry Matthews and Sir Michael Moritz. "The Rich List provides a snapshot of the shifting landscape of wealth in the UK, with the fortunes of its members reflecting broader economic trends. "Despite a decrease in the number of billionaires and a dip in their combined wealth, the list continues to highlight the significant economic influence of its members.
Business News Wales
01-05-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Deadline Extented for the Carmarthenshire Business Awards
Entries deadline have been extended until May 9 2025 for the Carmarthenshire Business Awards. This year sees a full-circle moment as Stori Cymru, a previous award winner, joins the event as a sponsor after experiencing first-hand the significant benefits that come with winning. Founded by James Owen, Stori Cymru has gone from strength to strength since taking home the Creative and Digital Business of the Year title as last year's awards. The Llanelli-based video production company continues to work with major clients including Admiral Group Plc, Urdd Gobaith Cymru and British Airways. Now, James and his team are giving back by supporting the very awards that helped boost their journey. Their aim is to encourage other local businesses to take the leap and enter, regardless of size or sector. James Owen, Founder and Creative Director of Stori Cymru, said: 'I am thrilled to be able to sponsor a category at this year's Carmarthenshire Business Awards. As someone who's been a business owner for nearly six years, I know what it takes to start a business. Hard work, commitment and passion. It's a real honour to recognise those within my community who have stood out from the rest to start their business. I would encourage all Carmarthenshire businesses to enter these business awards. ' The Carmarthenshire Business Awards celebrate excellence, innovation, and resilience in the region's business community. Organised by Grapevine Event Management, the black-tie awards ceremony will take place on Friday 11th July 2025 at Parc Y Scarlets, Llanelli. The Chair of Judges, Rupert Moon, said: 'It is fantastic to see the Carmarthenshire Business Awards back for a second year, the awards acknowledge the resilience and determination of businesses across the region. I look forward to hearing from these businesses and meeting them at the judging.' The awards are open to businesses of all sizes based in Carmarthenshire – whether applying directly or being nominated. Entering is free, and businesses can apply for up to two of the following 14 categories: • Creative and Digital Business of the Year • Employer of the Year • Entrepreneur of the Year • Financial and Professional Service Business of the Year • Green Business of the Year • Innovation & Technology Business of the Year • Manufacturing Business of the Year • Retail Business of the Year • Rural Business of the Year • SME of the Year • Start-Up Business of the Year • Third Sector Organisation of the Year • Tourism and Hospitality Business of the Year • Young Business Person of the Year Entries can be submitted via the official website: This year's awards are supported by businesses including Castell Howell, Dunbia, JCP Solicitors, JGHR Solutions, Azets, Business News Wales, Stills, and now, Stori Cymru. There are still sponsorship opportunities available. For more information about the awards contact: CARMS@
BBC News
17-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Scarlets' Wales fly-half Costelow close to return
Wales fly-half Sam Costelow has returned to training with Scarlets after three months out with a broken 24-year-old needed surgery on the injury he sustained playing for Scarlets in is not expected to feature against Dragons in Saturday's Judgement Day encounter at the Principality Stadium, but is close to a return to action."I'm not sure if he'll be available this week but he's training well so it's good to see him back on the training pitch," said Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel."It's important to make sure he's right and confident. It's good to see him back in the fold and when the time is right he'll be put back in definitely." Full-back Tom Rogers, meanwhile, will be available to face Dragons after recovering from a thumb 26-year-old also needed surgery after sustaining the injury while playing for Wales in their Six Nations defeat against Scotland in and Costelow's returns are timely for Scarlets, who are aiming to finish in the top eight of the United Rugby Championship in order to qualify for the Llanelli-based region are 11th at the moment but, in an extremely congested table, only six points separate Munster in fifth and Connacht in are four games left in the regular season. After Saturday's match against bottom side Dragons, Scarlets host leaders Leinster a week later before travelling to South Africa to face Lions and Sharks."It's very tight in the middle of the league so points are important at this stage of the season," said Peel."There are four games left and it's all to play for. For us it's about staying in that fight and putting ourselves in the best position."
BBC News
09-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Cardiff rugby fans 'shocked and gutted' at club administration
Rugby fans have said they are "shocked and gutted" as one of Wales' top teams heads into an emergency meeting on Tuesday, Cardiff Rugby announced it intended to serve a notice of intent (NOI) to appoint an the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) is in line for a takeover of the regional side, which is one of the four professional Welsh rugby union supporter said it was a big blow to fans who, just a few months ago, were feeling "proud" of the fact it appeared a "huge investment" for the club had been secured. An NOI is a formal document filed in court by a company or its directors, to inform parties the company intends to enter administration, a process aimed at rescuing a struggling business from Glaister, chairwoman of the CF10 Rugby Trust - an independent voice for supporters - said they were "shocked" and "gutted".Speaking to BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, Ms Glaister said "something has gone wrong" with the investment in the club agreed as part of last year's takeover by investment group Helford Capital added "questions have to be asked about that", reassuring members her organisation would do all it could "to ensure the survival of our great capital city club"."We now need to look to the future," she said."Cardiff Rugby has been around since 1876 and we need to ensure we are around for our 150 year anniversary and for many decades beyond." One supporter, Wyn Williams said fans were in a state of "shock and disappointment". "A few months ago we were all proud of the fact that a huge investment had come into the club. So this today has come as a big blow to us as a club," he told Newyddion S4C. Dr Huw Jones, former chief executive of Sport Wales, said the club's administration news was "very sad".Speaking to BBC Radio Cymru's Dros Frecwast programme, Mr Jones said he was concerned about the club's staff and coaches, adding: "It's a difficult time, we don't know what's going to happen with the administrator. "Maybe we will see changes in the club… but it is too soon to say that at the moment."He said it was "very important for the union to come in and help the club, because they have said that they want to see four professional rugby teams in Wales in order to see future developments".The other three professional regional sides in Wales are the Newport-based Dragons, the Swansea-based Ospreys and the Llanelli-based Scarlets. Mr Jones said "Cardiff is in the heart of the city" and claimed the club "get more fans than anything else", but said serious consideration needed to be given to the number of professional teams in Wales and their locations."There are fans who want to know what the situation is," he added."Why were Helford appointed in the first place, and what were the recommendations from the board after the due diligence was done? "And also what has been happening over the past year regarding their financial contribution?" The concerns surrounding the due diligence done ahead of the takeover were echoed by Alex Bywater, rugby reporter for the Daily Mail newspaper, who said there were "serious questions" to be answered and he did not see how the club's current leadership team could remain in post with an "imminent" WRU takeover added: "It really does sort of muddy the waters a little bit. "Some people have said this is the opportunity to go down to three regions or whatever but, for me, not having professional rugby in Cardiff, it's unthinkable."So I don't think that that will happen."Looking to the future, Dr Edward Jones senior lecturer in economics at Bangor University, said asking the club's management team to take a pay cut, "to show that they believe there is a future for the club", would be the first course of action."If they don't do that, I suppose it will be over for Cardiff Rugby club in their current form," he said."Then they will have to look if it is possible to save money in other areas of the club, and how they can restructure the club."Meanwhile, Cardiff Students' Union said it had moved its Welsh Varsity rugby fixtures on Wednesday to the Principality Stadium next door "due to exceptional circumstances".The annual men's and women's rugby matches between Cardiff and Swansea universities alternate between the two cities each year."All Welsh Varsity Rugby tickets will remain valid and the fixture times remain unchanged," it said. Analysis - Cennydd Davies, BBC Sport Wales commentator The first thing to say is how sad it is to see a global brand like Cardiff in difficulties. But it is a difficult situation, a very complicated situation. We believe that the union will take the reins, but for how long? The only precedent for this is what happened to the Dragons, but that ownership by the union continued for six years. The other question is whether there are individuals and private companies who will be ready to finance and ensure that there is money flowing through the coffers here. But I believe that this is part of a wider picture, not limited to Wales, and it shows the huge problems facing the sport across the [the union] will try to keep contracts and pay players' wages. It's a headache - it's the last thing they want to see. There are so many difficulties facing the Welsh Rugby Union at the moment. And, in addition, we still haven't received the long-awaited report regarding the way forward, the way to run the professional sport in Wales, which is supposed to take us to 2029. That is based on four regional teams, there are big questions now if that will happen.
