Swans Sign Peter Lynn and Partners for a Third Season
Leading Welsh law firm, Peter Lynn and Partners, have extended their partnership with Swansea City for a third consecutive year. Peter Lynn and Partners, who have been associated with the Swans for many years, will continue as the club’s ‘Official Preferred Legal...
The Art of the Possible – An Event to Procure Transformation
On 12th December, we're running an event in Swansea that we hope will open new possibilities for our regional economy. The Art of the Possible is bringing the right people together to create a shared sense of purpose around keeping more regional...
College enhances employer development focus with appointment of former Dragons Rugby CEO, Stuart Davies
Gower College Swansea has announced Stuart Davies as its new Business Development Consultant. Having grown up only a stone’s throw away from the College’s Hill House estate in Tycoch, Stuart spent 14 years at the highest level of rugby, as a regular for both Swansea...
Multi-million pound Pembroke Dock Marine project takes major step forward
A multi-million pound project that will place Pembrokeshire at the heart of global marine energy innovation has taken a major step forward. The Swansea Bay City Deal’s Joint Committee has signed-off a detailed business case for the £60 million Pembroke Dock Marine...
The new side waste educational officers already making a difference
Three new Neath Port Talbot Council Side Waste Officers have been engaging with residents offering help and advice over changes in waste recycling rules all aimed at helping the authority meet Welsh Government recycling targets. Some residents continue to place large...
Lottery Boost for Seed Pod
Young Dragons, a Community Interest company based in Swansea, in partnership with the Village Hotel and supported by Big Ideas Wales, have received a small grant from the National Lottery’s Awards for All to establish Seed Pod, an initiative to support early stage...
Gower Gas Secures Foundational Economy Funding!
This week, Welsh Government ministers announced the first three projects to be allocated funding from the Foundational Economy Fund, and a growing regional business is proud to be among the successful recipients! Gower Gas & Oil is an "organically Welsh" sme based...
Conference Report – Race Equality & Social Justice 2019
RACE EQUALITY & SOCIAL JUSTICE CONFERENCEWEDNESDAY 9TH OCTOBER 2019GRAND THEATRE, SWANSEA The Wales Race Equality & Social Justice Conference, #EveryoneMatters, was organised in partnership with the Race Council, and brought together people and organisations...
So, what actually is the Foundational Economy?
Sometime in 2018, the Welsh Government started talking about something called "the Foundational Economy", and then in February 2019 they launched something called "the Foundational Economy Challenge Fund"... This week, the first of the projects to have been...
University Distinction Marks the Start of an Amazing Career Change
As one of the largest law firms in Swansea, Peter Lynn and Partners offers an average of ten training contracts each year, but for one trainee, her journey is slightly different from your average solicitor. Qualifying from her LPC course at Swansea University with a...
The Future is Bright for South Wales Law Firm
Leading regional law firm Peter Lynn and Partners have invested in the future of the firm with the appointment of several new trainees and paralegals. Ciaran Sturge, Amber Harding, Alexander Kurtz - Shefford and Dominic Dineen are all starting their legal careers...
5G Rollout in the Well-Being Region
Now this is a difficult one, but I don't think we should avoid discussion because it's difficult. All around the world, sensible and well-meaning people are coming together to share their fears about the potential health impacts of the roll-out of 5G technology. And...
#EveryoneMatters – and You should come!
Are you coming to the Wales Race Equality Conference next week? We are delighted to be working in partnership with Race Council Cymru to deliver this event! Here's why it's important, why you should be there and what to expect! Hear from inspiring speakers, understand...
Neath Food and Drink Festival 2019 on its way
Organisers of the 2019 Neath Food and Drink Festival are putting the final touches to this year’s mouth-watering event. The annual festival, running from Friday, October 4th to Sunday, October 6th 2019, is one of a string of popular events held in Neath’s vibrant town...
Swansea-based businesses partner to generate multimillion-pound savings for DfT
Swansea-based business process outsourcing (BPO) provider Arvato has partnered with cloud services company Mobilise to deliver cloud migration services to the Department for Transport (DfT), in the first project of a new long-term partnership. The project will be...
New Ireland and Wales marine energy project launched at Ocean Energy Europe Conference
A new €4.2m cross-border project aiming to boost the marine energy industry in Wales and Ireland has been launched today by Lesley Griffiths AM, the Welsh Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs. Selkie is funded by the EU’s Ireland-Wales co-operation...
This is when all the big changes coming to Swansea’s High Street will happen
Swansea's High Street has seen a massive amount of regeneration in recent years, including Coastal Housing's Urban Village, investment at Swansea train station, and new student accommodation in the Oldway Centre. Ambitious new plans have also been unveiled for the...
A new wind farm in Neath Port Talbot has been granted planning permission
A new wind farm in Neath Port Talbot has been granted planning permission. The development between the Afan and Llynfi Valleys will see 11 wind turbines installed, with a maximum blade height of 145m. Similar plans for the Foel Trawsnant site in Bryn – around 2km from...
Roundtable Report – Renewable Energy Region
This event was organised in partnership with Low Carbon Swansea Bay and sponsored by FLEXIS. The intention was to celebrate the growing Renewable Energy Sector of South West Wales, showcase the fantastic, diverse projects and initiatives going on across the region, and bring together business, academia and individuals to learn from each other and explore what else can be done to strengthen our renewable energy sector.
New role for Port Talbot’s famous old Plaza
Neath Port Talbot Council’s Planning Committee has approved proposals to create a new role for the art-deco cinema which helped inspire the careers of Richard Burton, Sir Anthony Hopkins and Michael Sheen. Under the Neath Port Talbot Council plans, approved on Tuesday...
Wales’ National Marine Energy Test Facility is Open for Business
Marine Energy Wales has today announced that phase 1 of its Marine Energy Test Area (META) project is officially open for business. The announcement was made during a launch event held at Pembroke Port and marks a significant step in the development of the project....
Roundtable Report – Food, Farming, Waste & Biobased
BIOBASED SECTOR ROUNDTABLETHURSDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER 2019NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN OF WALES A well attended roundtable meeting was held in Carmarthenshire to explore the food, farming, waste and biobased sector in South West Wales. The goal of the event was to share...
Have your say on Council’s dynamic vision for a green future
Neath Port Talbot Council is putting its draft Decarbonisation and Renewable Energy Strategy out to public consultation. Coming after the Welsh Government’s declaration of a climate emergency in April this year, the document outlines the Council’s overarching vision...
Neath’s Gwyn Hall centre stage for International Film Festival
The Wales International Film Festival (WIFF) awards ceremony hosted by Kev Johns MBE will take place on September 23rd at the iconic Gwyn Hall in Neath. The awards ceremony gala evening, beginning at 6.30pm, (tickets are available from the Gwyn Hall) is the pinnacle...
Council welcomes new ‘Discovery Gateway’ future for colliery museum
Neath Port Talbot Council has welcomed funding of £1.8m to develop the Cefn Coed Colliery Museum site into a major gateway for the Welsh Government’s Valleys Park Initiative. The Valleys Park will promote tourism, create jobs and maximise social, economic and...
Margam Country Park achieves international Green Flag Award
Staff at Neath Port Talbot’s popular Margam Country Park have been congratulated after the attraction retained its prestigious Green Flag Award this year. As well as meeting the high standards needed to receive the coveted Green Flag Award, the park is also one of...
RAP International acquired by Yokogawa
A business that is Swansea born and bred is now truly on the international stage. Yokogawa Electric Corporation has signed an agreement with RAP International Ltd for Yokogawa to acquire all shares of the company and make RAP a wholly owned subsidiary. Since 1994, RAP...
What is 4theRegion and what do we do?
In this video we’re answering the most basic question! 4theRegion is a not-for-profit membership organisation, on a mission to help make positive change happen for South West Wales. We are connecting people, breaking down silos and enabling collaboration.
Your September Update from 4theRegion
We’re welcoming three new members and kicking off our new season of events this month, as well as highlighting some key opportunities for you to have your say on some notable regional issues. And don’t miss our September newsletter, featuring our pick of the region’s headlines!
Find Out About Our Upcoming Events
We’ve got a busy programme of 4theRegion events coming up this autumn, which we would love you to be part of! At 4theRegion we’re all about connecting people, breaking down silos, and enabling effective collaboration. Register via Eventbrite!
Exciting new café bar Cakes & Ale opens in the heart of Mumbles
One of Swansea's most idyllic coastal villages has welcomed a brand new café bar. Cakes & Ale recently opened on Newton Road in Mumbles. Serving great coffee, cakes and delicious dishes by day, and creative cocktails, spirits, and premium beers and cask ale by...
Well-being project gets go-ahead
An exciting £1.3 million project that promises to boost the well-being of Welsh people, plants and pollinators has been given the green light. ‘Biophilic Wales’ is being led by the National Botanic Garden of Wales and funded by Welsh Government’s Enabling Natural...
Everyone Matters – Regional Race Equality & Social Justice Conference
4theRegion is organising this year's Regional Race Equality & Social Justice Conference, in partnership with Race Council Cymru, to address the challenge facing all organisations and businesses in Wales, as well as BAME young people and professionals: How do we...
Saundersfoot Elements shop leading the charge to recycle beach waste
An eco-conscious shop in Saundersfoot has been named as a collection point for a wide range of unusual recyclable items as part of an Inflatable Amnesty. Sam Turner of Elements noticed a lot of rubbish being left on local beaches, especially during the summer months,...
38 jobs up for grabs with new recycling changes in Pembrokeshire
Thirty eight new jobs are to be created under wide-ranging changes to waste and recycling this autumn in Pembrokeshire. The posts come as a consequence of an increased kerbside recycling programme, together with additional amenities such as the recently launched...
Heritage centre, pathways and entertainment plans for Haverfordwest castle
Haverfordwest Castle will become easier to access from the town centre under new regeneration plans from Pembrokeshire County Council. Since 2015, Pembrokeshire County Council has been working with local groups, businesses and volunteers on ambitious plans to bring...
Tuk tuks in Tenby: the new taxi service in town
A brand-new, three-wheeled way to travel the south Pembrokeshire coast has arrived. A new Pembrokeshire-based company, Tuk Tuk Time Limited, is launching two traditional tuk tuk vehicles – imported from India – with the promise of transporting holidaymakers around the...
Welsh gin Cygnet flies away with prestigious ‘Bronze’ IWSC Award
Swansea based Gin Company, Cygnet Gin Distillery, are now proud owners of a prestigious 'Bronze' award from the International Wine & Spirit Competition. The IWSC awards are internationally recognised and known by trade and consumers who actively seek out the...
Local firm Erinstone picks up local contract following City Centre Conference
At 4theRegion we are always advocating for greater involvement of regional firms in the construction and operation of regional developments, so we were delighted to hear from Swansea-based Erinstone Ltd that they have just completed installation of new resin-bound...
Search soon under way for new City Deal boss and advisors
Recruitment will soon start for an independent programme director to oversee delivery of the £1.3 billion Swansea Bay City Deal. The search for top quality candidates follows the City Deal’s decision-making Joint Committee approving a job description and salary for...
ESP are instructed for further phase of works for the Economic Link Road, Cross Hands
Following the completion of investigation and treatment of historical mine working across Phase 2b of the new Economic Link Road in Cross Hands (Llandeilo Road to Norton Road), we have been appointed to undertake the next phase of works to determine the nature and...
Swansea Building Society appoints new Finance Director
Swansea Building Society has recently appointed a new Finance Director. Nathan Griffiths from Swansea has been appointed at the Society’s head office in Cradock Street, Swansea. A Chartered Accountant, Griffiths has an impressive background in financial services...
An £18m Funding Boost for City Deal is Coming Soon
City Deal leaders have announced that the first £18m of City Deal funding will soon be on the way to Swansea Bay City Deal partners to begin funding a number of "transformational" projects in South West Wales. The UK Government and Welsh Government have agreed to...
Port builds on commitment to renewable energy
The Port of Milford Haven has continued its commitment to renewable energy by switching its energy provider to Octopus Energy which means that 100% of the Port’s electricity usage is guaranteed to be coming from renewable sources. Octopus Energy only supplies energy...
Neath Port Talbot Council to drive automation excellence with Arvato
The arrangement will see the authority use robotic process automation (RPA) to transform back-office processes and deliver new efficiencies. Business process outsourcing (BPO) partner Arvato is working with Neath Port Talbot Council in South Wales to automate part of...
Multi-million pound Swansea Bay City Deal funding boost
An £18 million funding boost will soon be on the way to Swansea Bay City Deal partners to begin funding a number of transformational projects in South West Wales. The UK Government and Welsh Government have agreed to release initial funding for the Swansea Bay City...
Historic Sketty Hall set to benefit from brand new renovation plans
Gower College Swansea’s Sketty Hall is set for renovation under proposed new development plans. The Grade II listed building, nestled in beautiful grounds close to Singleton Park, will be repositioned as a Business School, home to a wide range of professional courses...
Pembrokeshire project celebrated at a time of crisis in our countryside
The Welsh countryside contains some of the most iconic landscapes in the world but they face many challenges. A Pembrokeshire Coast project has been celebrated for their work as part of Campaign for National Park’s Park Protector Awards. SWEPT and the People and the...
The sun and crowds came out for Royal visit
Both the sun and the crowds were out as Prince Charles returned to Swansea 50 years to the day that he announced it was to become a city. The Prince and the Duchess of Cornwall were given a warm welcome as they met some of the volunteers, community groups, emergency...
Royal praise for Garden as he urges: keep up the good work
There was a wonderfully warm welcome for His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales at the National Botanic Garden on Wednesday. Under blue skies and a bright summer sun, the Prince – who is patron of the Botanic Garden – praised the work the staff are doing but urged...