Cardiff Business

Cardiff has invested in a world-class connectivity network which offers businesses speed and reliability and which is set to support future economic development. Host Gemma Casey is joined by Isabelle Bignall, Cardiff Council’s Chief Digital Officer, Awen Evans, Cardiff Hypercity Manager at Elevate and Jon Day, Head of Economic Policy at Cardiff Council to discuss how the upgrade is making Cardiff one of the most digitally accessible cities in the UK.

A £300 million arena is set to be the centrepiece of a wider transformation of Cardiff’s Atlantic Wharf area, creating a vibrant new cultural and entertainment district. Host Gemma Casey is joined by Cllr Huw Thomas, Leader of Cardiff Council, Craig Davies, Managing Director of Goldbeck UK and Nick Harris, Director of Litmus Properties and a consultant to Live Nation on the arena project, to discuss the potential of this development for economic growth, job creation, and the reinvention of Cardiff Bay as a world-class destination.

Carwyn Jones is joined by Robert Blowers of Panasonic Manufacturing UK, Ed Siegle of Ogi and Simon Baston of Loft Co to discuss investments in digital connectivity, in a city centre food hall in an historic venue, and in a renewable energy facility.

With Cardiff forecast to experience GVA growth higher than any other major UK city except London in 2025, host Carwyn Jones is joined by Carolyn Brownell, Executive Director of FOR Cardiff; Craig Hampton-Stone, Managing Director of Cardiff Bus; and Matthew Taylor, Director of Innovation at Cardiff Metropolitan University, to discuss the opportunities and challenges around the city centre, infrastructure, and sustainable growth.

This year’s Cardiff Business Awards marked a milestone 10th anniversary with a record number of remarkable achievements across sectors. Host Carwyn Jones is joined by awards co-founder Liz Brookes; Sophie Sheedy of headline sponsor Euroclad Group; and award winners Ken Pearce of Lunia 3D and Paul Lewis of Hoop Recruitment to discuss what the awards mean to Cardiff and to the businesses which take part.

Host Carwyn Jones discusses the role of business in supporting Cardiff's community with guests Gavin Hawkey, Foundation Director of the Cardiff City FC Community Foundation; Mike Jordan, Managing Director at Toward; and Steve Borley, Non-Executive Director at Cardiff City FC. They talk about the history of the Cardiff City FC Community Foundation and its mission to improve health, wellbeing and learning using the club's ties to the city, as well as what businesses get from supporting community initiatives. 

In our inaugural episode of Cardiff Business, Business News Wales editor Gemma Casey delves into the impact of the broader UK economy on Cardiff. She addresses challenges faced by local businesses post-pandemic, the rise of sectors such as cyber and fintech, infrastructure developments like the South Wales Metro, and the crucial need for more investment in growth-stage businesses. This episode features insightful discussions with Ken Poole, MBE, Head of Economic Development at Cardiff Council, Chris Sutton, a Chartered Surveyor, and Louise Harris, CEO and Co-Founder of Tramshed Tech.

Cardiff Business is a monthly feature series hosted within Business News Wales with a supporting regular email newsletter, focused on amplifying the opportunities, challenges and developments within the Cardiff economy. Each month, we deep dive into a different theme within Cardiff’s regional economy.