BUSINESS CLUB - Rhondda Cynon Taf

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usinessoutlook RHONDDA CYNON TAF COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL B U S I N E S S S U P P L E M E N T Join the RCT Business Club and see your business flourish Welcome... ...to businessoutlook, showcasing the exciting regeneration and opportunities made possible in Rhondda Cynon Taf through our “can do” approach to business. We are home to renowned names and market leaders such as Penderyn Whisky and GE Aviation, as well as a diverse mix of businesses of all specialities and sizes. Local Government, the public sector and the economy generally is currently facing difficult times, with public spending cuts and low economic growth. It is hugely encouraging that, despite these austere times, we are delivering investment packages of £10.5m in Pontypridd and £7.7m in Aberdare to regenerate these important towns and restore them as major visitor destinations. Private sector investment, including the new Sainsbury’s in Pontypridd, demonstrates commercial confidence in the County Borough. The Council does all it can to provide an environment where they can prosper. This includes a substantial annual grants programme, including European funded support. We are committed to standing up for Rhondda Cynon Taf in these tough times, which is why we are taking proactive measures to do what we can to stimulate the local economy, whether through town centre regeneration, our apprenticeship scheme, housing market stimulation or local business support. We continue to make key transport improvements in all modes – rail, bus, walking and cycling – and, in recognition of the importance of an efficient and easy to use road network, are investing a further £9m to repair and improve highways and footways – on top of the £10m spent last year. With its excellent strategic location in the centre of South Wales and the M4 and Heads of the Valleys corridors, Rhondda Cynon Taf is an excellent place for business, as more and more businesses are finding out. Most importantly, it is a County going forward, with opportunities across the board for those that live, work, visit and do business here. County Borough Councillor Anthony Christopher Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council Improving our Economy Young people are securing the specialist skills needed for the future, thanks to an important partnership between Vattenfall, which is developing the Pen y Cymoedd Wind Energy Project and Treorchybased ISO Fab. Since being given the green light for a flagship 76turbine scheme, Vattenfall has been committed to bringing economic opportunity to the region and local businesses. This can be seen with the new apprenticeships, which are training future wind turbine technicians and giving local young people essential skills and employment. Richard Morris of ISO Fab said: “Businesses need to constantly be looking at new emerging industries, and this project offers a real opportunity for the area. The apprenticeships will help us better understand the needs of the renewable sector to develop further business opportunities for the future”. Richard Morris and Stephen Holdroyd Stephen Holdroyd, Senior Development Manager, Vattenfall Wales said: “We have always been clear that we would look to maximise local economic opportunities through the project and developing a skilled workforce is important for all renewable energy companies.” Recently Vattenfall asked businesses to register their interest in bidding for work on the scheme and more than 600 companies registered. 90% of the firms came from Wales with over 30% coming from the local area. Local supply chain events are now being planned for the Autumn for companies who have registered. Wales’ only whisky distillery based in Rhondda Cynon Taf, is making its mark across the world. Penderyn has become an acclaimed brand worldwide and its success, including the opportunities it brings to RCT, speaks for itself, with a £3.5m turnover and planned expansion and jobs creation. As well as being a shining example of innovation to inspire others, the brand with the distinctive and contemporary twist is an ambassador for the County Borough and is boosting tourism. Penderyn continues to secure worldwide acclaim, holding its own and then some against its Scottish and Irish counterparts. Its single malt whisky is now pleasing palates around the world, including France, North America, South Africa and even the Falkland Islands. Success also extends to its fascinating visitor centre that in its brief history since the opening by HRH Prince Charles in 2008, has become a mustsee attraction visited by 30,000 people a year. Nestled in the foothills of the Brecon Beacons, visitors are treated to a unique experience and Penderyn is also linking in with existing events such as the Wales Valleys Walking Festival, Open Doors and the absorbing new audio trails to add a delicious end to the events. Giancarlo Bianchi, Technical and Visitor Centre Manager, and one of 26 people employed at Penderyn, explained: “We have a strict allocation to markets outside Wales and produce just a few casks a day of the finest malted barley spirit which, when matured, is recognised as one of the rarest and best malt whiskies. “We export around 20% overseas, as far afield as Australia and Japan. France remains one of the largest countries for export, where the typical consumer has a sophisticated palate that appreciates the quality of our products and whisky consumption rates are the highest in the world, alongside the USA. “From the outset Penderyn has been about quality, a premium and modern brand not about quantity and mass exportation and we have been careful every step of the way, from the design of the bottles and packaging to the whisky itself, to stand out from the rest. “We sell everything we produce and our sales have increased on average 16% a year. This has prompted us to explore the possibility of expanding our production capacity.” Find out more at www.welshwhisky.co.uk 2 BUSINESS SUPPLEMENT
Call: 01443 495169 Email: businessclub@rctcbc.gov.uk www.rctbusinessclub.co.uk businessoutlook RHONDDA CYNON TAF COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL B U S I N E S S S U P P L E M E N T Guardian Wealth Management David Howell Up to 100 jobs will be created thanks to the opening of the £1.5m UK Financial Planning and Training Centre in Llantrisant. Guardian Wealth Management has opened its new head office in the area, using £850,000 from the Welsh Government’s Economic Growth Fund. Business Minister Edwina Hart said: “Wales is home to a dynamic and fastgrowing financial and professional services sector and it is great news that Guardian Wealth Management has chosen Wales over all other possible locations for its new headquarters. Cllr Paul Cannon, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development & Community Safety added “The decision by Guardian Wealth Management to locate at Llantrisant demonstrates that this County Borough is great for business.” The new headquarters will create nearly 60 jobs this year, with employee numbers expected to exceed 100 in three years’ time. Chief executive David Howell said the company is focusing on increasing its presence in the UK, partly driven by the implementation later this year of the Retail Distribution Review. He said: “The RDR will have a profound effect on the way financial services are delivered and will create favourable market conditions for financial planning firms that are committed to investing in people and technology. Our company intends to be the vanguard of this new dawn, providing strong innovation, thought leadership and a proposition that is second to none.” Vibrant Economic Futures Five varied organisations are set to benefit from more than £300,000 funding support, helping to create a vibrant economic future, thanks to Rhondda Cynon Taf Council. The South East Wales Community Economic Development Programme funding will allow the organisations to undertake building improvements, open new premises, secure jobs or employ additional staff. Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Development & Community Safety Cllr Paul Cannon: “We are helping to create sustainable and vibrant communities by ensuring the South East Wales Community Economic Development Programme is invested wisely to develop community economic activity and social enterprises. “ The programme has been supported by the South East Wales Community Economic Development (SEWCED) Programme delivered in partnership by a consortium of: Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Torfaen Local Authorities. The programme is supported by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government. The Fund supports both revenue and capital projects for up to three years in a bid for social enterprises and community organisations to develop projects with the main aim of making them more economically sustainable. The latest round of approvals for the SEWCED Programme which amount to £254,809 in Revenue and £65,760.55 in Capital are: • Penrhys Partnership Ltd which secured Capital Investment of £40,760.55 for repairs to the roof and inside of the Y Ffynnon Centre at the Penrhys Village Centre, enabling more commercial units to be let, generating more income. • Rowan Tree Cancer Care which secured revenue and capital support of £77,655 and £25,000 respectively to launch a second hand bridalwear shop in Pontypridd, creating one full time post. All proceeds from the new charity shop will support the services of the charity, which provides extensive support to those affected by cancer across the County Borough. • Spectacle Theatre secured revenue funding of £77,779 to create a full time Business Development Manager post to concentrate on increasing their revenue income for future sustainability. Also contributing to the administrator post. Spectacle Theatre works with schools and community groups to promote, maintain and advance the production of educational theatre. • Dylan's Den secured revenue of £76,875 to employ an additional person to expand their range of services to include a holiday club. • Aberaman Motorcycle Club secured revenue of £22,500 towards a feasibility study that considers the sustainability of the Aberdare Motorcycle Event and the possible expansion into other events around the UK. For more information, contact the Regeneration, Resources and Performance Management Team on 01443 495151 or email Regeneration and Planning regen@rctcbc.gov.uk Olympic Gold for Royal Mint It was a proud moment for Rhondda Cynon Taf when our sporting heroes, including those from the County Borough, were presented with impressive Olympic and Paralympic medals – as each and every one of them was made right here! The Royal Mint in Llantrisant makes not only all UK coins, but also millions of commemorative pieces to mark personal occasions and landmark events. It is also the world’s leading export Mint, making coins and coin blanks for some 60 countries. Going for gold at the Royal Mint This year saw the Royal Mint shine, as it made the stunning Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals presented at London 2012. Adding to the sense of pride was the fact medal winners from Team GB included Rhondda Cynon Taf’s Sara Head and Nyree Kindred. To celebrate this landmark, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and the Royal Mint, as well as local firm CAT Finning which kindly donated the land, created a beautiful Olympic Garden, with a stunning floral display to remind all who pass of just how proud they should be to live here. BUSINESS SUPPLEMENT 3
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BUSINESS CLUB - Rhondda Cynon Taf

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