Our Annual General Meeting was held on Friday 28th September.  Our guests including our Board of Directors, Dr Brian Gibbons AM, our funders, representatives from the local business community and local business owners.

We would like to thank everyone who attended the event.

The photos shows (l-r) Greg Kaminaris, Bill Cuttiford, Rachel Case, Dr Brian Gibbons, Bob Palmer (Chairman) and Alan Doyle.

Representatives from The Queen's Awards visited Business Connect's offices to present a talk to the local business community.  Mr Steve Brice and Mr David Moore visited Neath Port Talbot to encourage local firms to apply for The Queen's Awards which are presented annually to UK firms. They are the most prestigious business awards and the winners are allowed to use the emblem for five years.  The event was attended by Hywel Evans President of the West Wales Chamber of Commerce, Mike Jones from the FSB, Alan Howells from the local Authority, representatives from Lloyds TSB, Natwest, HSBC and Barclays Bank, the South Wales Evening Post and Business Connect Advisors.

If you would like to apply for The Queen's Awards then please visit their informative website (link below).  There are three categories namely international trade, innovation and sustainable development. Firms must employ at least two full time staff.   Applications must be made by the end of October 2007.  There is an online application form on the website.  The Awards are presented annually by HM The Queen at a reception held at Buckingham Palace.

Business Connect would like to thank Mr Moore and Mr Brice for their informative and interesting presentation.

Photo: (l-r) David Moore (Secretary to the Prime Minister's Advisory Committee), Joan Richards of Business Connect and Steve Brice (Secretary of The Queen's Awards)

Business Connect recently hosted a Celebration Luncheon in honour of Joan Richards MBE who is the Youth Business Advisor for Business Connect.  Joan (pictured right) has recently been awarded the prestigious Queen's Award for Lifetime Achievement in Enterprise Promotion.   Joan is the sole recipient of this year's Award which  recognises the activities of individuals who have played an outstanding and significant role in promoting enterprise skills and attitudes in others in the UK. Joan  has worked exceptionally hard for her local community for the past 23 years and in particular she has devoted her career to helping 18-30 year olds setting up their own businesses. Joan will receive the Award at Buckingham Palace in July 2007.

Business Connect has been asked by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council to undertake Business Advice events and surgeries in each of the Valley Areas as part of the Council's Western Valleys Strategy.  Events were held across the region and hundreds of local firms were invited to attend.  One-2-one advice surgeries were also held. 

If you are based in the Valleys region and you would like to meet with an Advisor at a convenient local location please contact Rachel Case on 01639 895173.

Business Connect recently unveiled a record breaking year with nearly 900 jobs created or safeguarded in the Neath Port Talbot County.  At the recent AGM it was announced that Business Connect have helped to raise £8.7 million for local firms which is almost double the target set for the year.  In addition Business Connect helped 140 local people to set up in business ranging from sole traders to large limited companies.  In almost all criteria of activity the figures have improved year-on-year since 2003.

Photo: Our Board of Directors

Business Connect's Business Advisor, Joan Richards was awarded the Wales Award for Services to Enterprises by Shell Livewire in recognition of her dedication and commitment to helping young people in business. Joan was presented with her Award at the prestigious Shell Livewire Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards held in Cardiff.  Local young businessman Jeremy James of iwantpants.com was voted Runner Up at the Awards and presented with his prize money of £2,000. 

Only ten businesses from Wales made it to the Welsh Final out of almost 900 applicants. Business Connect was proud that three of these finalists were from Neath Port Talbot and all three had been set up with support from Business Connect.

>> visit our Young Entrepreneurs page