by 4theManagement | Jul 10, 2026 | News, Our Events, Past, Reports
South West Wales leaders call for ‘whole value’ procurement to keep wealth local
A coalition of regional businesses has identified practical steps to help major investment create local jobs and stronger supply chains.
Business leaders and anchor institutions across South West Wales are calling for urgent action to keep more economic value in the region.
They want organisations to use their spending power more strategically. As a result, regional investment could support more local jobs, businesses and communities.
Why local procurement matters
4theRegion convened a high-level roundtable at the Swansea offices of Redkite Solicitors. The discussion focused on the localisation of supply chains. In particular, attendees considered how local businesses could benefit from major regional investment. South West Wales is expecting significant investment through projects such as freeports and renewable energy. However, these projects will only benefit the wider region if local SMEs can compete for and win contracts.
Representatives from housing, finance, food, professional services and construction took part in the discussion. They warned that many public and private procurement systems continue to favour scale and the lowest price. Consequently, national suppliers can have an advantage over smaller regional businesses. This approach can overlook local knowledge, community benefits and the wider economic impact of keeping money within the region.
Keeping investment rooted in the region
As host of the roundtable, Redkite Solicitors highlighted the importance of creating lasting regional value. Katherine Simpson, Head of Residential Property at Redkite Solicitors and Regional Partner for its Swansea offices, said:
“As a firm rooted in communities across Wales, we see every day how local knowledge, local relationships, and accessible professional services make a real difference to people and businesses. South West Wales has enormous potential, and if we want major investment to translate into long-term prosperity, we must make it easier for regional suppliers and SMEs to be visible, prepared, and genuinely considered. Keeping more value within South West Wales is not only good procurement, it is good place-making.”
Moving from lowest price to whole value
The alliance is calling for a shift from “lowest price” to “whole value”. This approach would consider more than the initial cost of a contract. For example, it would recognise local employment, supply-chain resilience, carbon reduction and retained regional wealth. Zoe Antrobus, Director of 4theRegion, said:
“South West Wales has everything it needs to be a thriving, resilient region – talented people, ambitious businesses, strong communities, and huge opportunities on the horizon. But unless we are intentional about connecting investment to local suppliers, local jobs, and local young people, we risk watching the benefits pass us by.“This conversation was about moving from good intentions to practical action. How do we make sure a young person in our region can see a practical route into a good local job created by this investment?”
The role of anchor institutions
The discussion also highlighted the important role of anchor institutions. These are organisations with a long-term presence and significant spending power within a region. They include housing associations, food suppliers and financial institutions.
Organisations such as Tai Tarian, Caredig, Castell Howell and Swansea Building Society can therefore help strengthen regional supply chains through their everyday purchasing decisions. Simon Griffiths, Director of Commercial Supply Chain at Ethos Chain, offered to support local SMEs through free tender-readiness surgeries. He said:
“Procurement should not just be treated as a buying process. It is one of the most powerful economic development tools we have. If we want local supply chains to grow, businesses need visibility of what is coming, time to prepare, and procurement models that properly recognise whole value – not just lowest cost.”
Standing, from left: Jonathan Morris, Tai Tarian; Solitaire Pritchard, Codi Group; Simon Griffiths, Opus BS; Michael Jones, Bevan Buckland; Leon Jones, Green Light Technology Solutions; Paul James, Redkite Solicitors; Dan Thomas, Beacon; Jordan Thomas, Redkite Solicitors; Danni Watts-Jones, DWJ Wealth Management; Jo Vazquez, Quatro Gymnastics; Nathan Griffiths, Swansea Building Society; and Ed Morgan, Castell Howell.
Seated, from left: Lucy Roberts, Caredig; Zoe Antrobus, 4theRegion; and Katherine Simpson, Clare Tregoning and Rhian Davies of Redkite Solicitors.
Turning discussion into action
Moving quickly from discussion to immediate action, the leaders identified several critical steps to transform the regional economy:
- Supplier Spend Mapping: Piloting a postcode-level audit of where regional anchor institutions currently spend their money to identify “leakage” and shift spend locally.
- Pipeline Visibility: Campaigning for transparent, forward-looking procurement pipelines so local SMEs have the time to prepare, invest, and form consortia.
- Tender-Readiness Support: Launching practical surgeries and guidance to help small and medium-sized businesses compete for larger regional contracts.
- Youth Employment Links: Directly connecting regional supply chains to youth employment, using models like the Green Careers Pathway to ensure inclusive opportunities.
- A ‘Front Door’ for Business: Establishing 4theRegion as a central gateway for business-to-business connections, helping local firms find trusted suppliers and collaborate.
The summit forms part of 4theRegion’s ongoing mission to unite people, businesses, and organizations around the shared goal of cultivating a happier, healthier, and economically thriving South West Wales.
Get involved
Contact 4theRegion to learn more or to get involved in future events and regional conversations.
4theRegion is an independent, not-for-profit alliance working to co-create a happier, healthier South West Wales with a thriving economy.
Join us and help shape the future of the region.
by 4theManagement | Jun 15, 2026 | News, Our Events, Past, Reports
EVENTS > ITS YOUR PEMBROKESHIRE 2026
It’s Your Pembrokeshire 2026
Tuesday 19th May 2026
It’s Your Pembrokeshire 2026 brought together businesses, community groups, social enterprises, public bodies, young people, educators, volunteers and local organisations from across the county, for a day of discussion at The Queen’s Hall in Narberth. The purpose of the day was to create space for people to connect, share what they are seeing on the ground, and identify the issues and opportunities that matter most for Pembrokeshire’s future.
PEMBROKESHIRE EVENT REPORT 2026
Around 200 people from across Pembrokeshire came together at The Queens Hall in Narberth on Tuesday 19th May 2026 for It’s Your Pembrokeshire 2026, a county-wide forum hosted by 4theRegion to explore the future of the county and the practical action needed to strengthen local communities, businesses and places.
The event took place shortly after the election of a new Welsh Government, giving added relevance to discussions about how economic development should work in practice. Across the day, participants called for greater attention to local supply chains, town centre renewal, youth opportunities, community-led action, and better ways for local people and organisations to influence decisions affecting Pembrokeshire.
The forum brought together people from business, community organisations, public services, social enterprises, education, the voluntary sector and local government for a day of presentations, panel discussions, networking and open conversations. It was supported by a wide range of local organisations and partners, including PAVS, PLANED, North Pembrokeshire Trade and Tourism, PACTO, Pembrokeshire College, Grŵp Resilience, Bluestone, Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum and Pure West Radio, and sponsored by Redkite Solicitors alongside local businesses and regional initiatives who contributed to the event.
Opening the event, Pembrokeshire County Council Chief Executive Will Bramble welcomed the opportunity for people from across the county to come together, share perspectives and consider how Pembrokeshire can respond to current challenges and future opportunities, including demographic change, the need to strengthen local communities, support town centres and make the most of the county’s economic, social and natural assets.
A key insight from the day was that Pembrokeshire is not short of ideas, commitment or local initiative. The issue raised repeatedly was how to connect this energy more effectively, make local activity more visible, and ensure that community and business voices are heard in the places where priorities, policies and investments are shaped.
We have captured the key perspectives and priorities emerging from the open discussions.
An 8-page summary report of the discussions and the key themes emerging.
The transcript of the speech given by Will Bramble, Chief Executive, PCC
The Pembrokeshire Choose Local Directory
4theRegion’s new printed book for Pembrokeshire was launched at the event. 2000 printed booklets are to be distributed across the county, shining a light on the businesses, organisations and projects that are active and engaged in co-creating a happier, healthier Pembrokeshire, with a thriving economy. Click here to find out more about this brilliant local publication.
Contact 4theRegion for further information and to get involved in our future events. 4theRegion is an independent not-for-profit alliance “co-creating a happier, healthier South West Wales with a thriving economy”. Join us!
by admin | Jun 9, 2026 | Buy Regional, News
Pembrokeshire: Choose Local
We can strengthen the local economy whilst supporting the wellbeing of people and communities in Pembrokeshire, by choosing local.
That’s what the new Pembrokeshire Directory from 4theRegion is all about. As you look through these pages, you’ll find a brilliant range of organisations rooted here in Pembrokeshire – businesses, community groups, educators, venues, advisors, creatives and more. There is so much happening locally, and so much to connect with. This little book will help you discover it!
by admin | May 9, 2026 | Buy Regional, News
Swansea: Choose Local
When we choose local, something powerful happens.
Money circulates, jobs are supported, relationships are built, and confidence grows. That’s what this 4theRegion Directory is all about: putting your time, energy and money where it matters. Local businesses offering high quality products, services and experiences in challenging economic times. Local social enterprises that do good with every pound they earn. Local community organisations supporting people across the county. Swansea is full of talent, creativity and commitment. Let’s support it. Let’s strengthen it. Let’s choose local.
by Charly | Apr 21, 2026 | News
POSITIVE LOCAL MEDIA: Why it matters more than ever!
This is the report of the online conversation held in March 2026, bringing together 4theRegion members to discuss the importance of creating a sustainable, well supported local media landscape in Swansea and South West Wales.
There is no shortage of news in our lives. Open your phone and you’ll find a constant stream of national headlines, global crises and social media noise.
But what about the new independent restaurant on Wind Street? The graduate who decided to stay and build a business here? The community group transforming a neighbourhood space?
Those stories rarely make national news. But they shape how we feel about Swansea and they can help create real, positive change.
At a recent 4theRegion meetup, local business owners, publishers and organisations came together to talk about positive local media, and why it matters now more than ever for our city and county.
Dawn Lyle from 4theRegion opened the conversation: “Generally regeneration doesn’t focus enough on something that we believe is needed for a flourishing region, which is a locally rooted news and media base.”
How Swansea is talked about, and which stories get shared, affects people’s confidence, pride and whether they get involved.
Constant negative headlines, especially the kind designed to get clicks, can damage how people see their own city.
Natalie Wright, founder of The Swansea Edit, described her magazine as: “a love letter to the city that I was born in, that I’ve been raised in, that I’m raising children in.”
That idea really connected with people in the room.
Jon Franklin from The Swansea Positive explained why he created a print-only newspaper focused on good news: “In our mainstream media, there’s no space for that positivity… we see it as not just a nice-to-have, but as a vital aspect of trying to build a wellbeing economy. “We need to be hearing the positive stories about our city and our county.”
The way people see a place has real consequences. Jacob Perry from Swansea BID said: “It’s quite important that we’re able to perpetuate that positive news.”
If all people hear is that a place is in decline, they might stop visiting. They might not shop there. They might not invest. But when they hear about new businesses opening, cultural events happening, or graduates choosing to stay, confidence grows.
That confidence affects footfall. It affects spending. It affects whether someone decides to build their future in Swansea.
This isn’t about spin or pretending problems don’t exist. Mike Scott of Brand Swansea put it like this: “Owning that story rather than having somebody else tell it from a different perspective… that’s kind of the key to it.”
Swansea is more than a stereotype. It is more than an outdated story. It is a city full of small businesses, creatives, educators, entrepreneurs and community leaders. Many of them are featured in this Directory.
Positive local media doesn’t make things up. It shares what is really happening. It connects people. It reminds us that progress is taking place.
And it is not just the job of journalists. As Kathryn Bulson of Plantasia Tropical Zoo suggested, even small actions matter. Reading constructive stories. Sharing someone else’s success. Choosing not to pass on constant negativity. Together, those small actions change the tone.
The Choose Local Directory is part of this drive for positive local media. It highlights businesses and organisations rooted in Swansea. It encourages people to spend locally. It shows newcomers what is here. And behind every listing is someone who believes in this city enough to invest their time in it.
Find it out more here https://www.4theregion.org.uk/showcase-your-organisation/
by 4theManagement | Apr 17, 2026 | News, Our Events, Past, Reports
EVENTS > ITS YOUR SWANSEA 2026
Around 1,000 people attended It’s Your Swansea 2026, 4theRegion’s annual conference and exhibition for Swansea, held at Swansea Building Society Arena. The event brought together local businesses, community organisations, public sector partners, educators, students, start-ups and residents for a full day of presentations, exhibition stands, networking and open conversations about Swansea’s future.
This year’s theme was Choose Local, with 4theRegion launching the new Choose Local directory for Swansea and encouraging people to connect with local organisations, businesses and community initiatives across the city.
SWANSEA EVENT REPORT 2026
Thursday 12th March 2026
It’s Your Swansea 2026 filled Swansea Building Society Arena with a lively mix of exhibitors, speakers, community groups, businesses, students and local residents, all taking part in one of 4theRegion’s flagship local events.
The event combined a busy exhibition hall with a main stage programme, Start-Up Expo and Open Agenda discussions, creating plenty of opportunities for people to meet, share ideas and find out what is happening across Swansea.
The morning session featured a regeneration update from Cllr Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council, followed by contributions from My Choice Swansea, Swansea University, Gower College Swansea, Redkite Solicitors, Codi Group, UWTSD, Swansea Bay Foundation and The Swansea Edit.
Throughout the day, attendees visited exhibition stands, joined conversations, and took part in Open Agenda sessions shaped by the topics people in the room wanted to discuss.
The Start-Up Expo added a focused space for people interested in self-employment, side hustles and new business ideas, with local founders sharing their stories and practical workshops on start-up basics, accountancy, marketing and grant applications.
Click below to read the full report, or
Scroll down for photos!
The Swansea Choose Local Directory
4theRegion’s new printed book for Swansea was launched at the event. 2000 printed booklets have been distributed across the county, shining a light on the businesses, organisations and projects that are active and engaged in co-creating a happier, healthier Swansea, with a thriving economy. Click the button to find out more about this brilliant local publication.
IT’S YOUR SWANSEA THROUGH THE YEARS
Contact 4theRegion for further information and to get involved in our future events. 4theRegion is an independent not-for-profit alliance “co-creating a happier, healthier South West Wales with a thriving economy”. Join us!
IT’S YOUR SWANSEA THROUGH THE YEARS
An uplifting new “It’s Your Swansea” song and a slideshow of past events!
