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businessupdate News…


Leaderisone ofthetop


AGwent businessman is helping to fly the flag for leadership in Wales after being named aLeader of Wales 2012 at the annual Leading Wales Awards ceremony held at the Hilton, Cardiff. Leslie Barr, from Monwel Signs in Ebbw


Vale, received and award in the Team Leader category. She was one of eight winners at 2012


Leading Wales Awards ceremony, which was hosted by Real Radio Wales presenter, Jason Harrold. Monwel Signs &Services is asupported


workshop which employs people with disabilities and provides training opportunities for them to aid their progress. Under Leslie’s leadership the company


has been turned around, securing the future for 30 employees. Her passion for social purpose and the business has driven asmall offshoot of local council service flourish into asuccess story. Chair of the Leading Wales Awards


Consortium Barbara Chidgey said: “We are in awe of the very individual leadership roles that people like Leslie fulfil and are privileged to learn about the difference their leadership is making in their community, team, organisation or business. “All the winners and finalists are leaders


making areal difference in Wales and they truly deserve their recognition.” The awards are made up of eight


categories which span the public, private, voluntary /not-for-profit and social enterprise sectors. They recognise individual leadership through cross-sectoral categories including Women in Leadership, Leading Leadership Skills Development, Team Leader and Young Leader (14 -25 year olds). This year saw the largest number of finalists from across Wales –27intotal. Wales rugby captain, Sam Warburton


also received an honorary award in recognition of his leadership and for his contribution to the development of leadership in others. He said: “Leadership skills are so


important for driving the success of any organisation. Ireally identify with the purpose of the awards –toidentify and celebrate leadership in Wales and Iam honoured to be included in this year’s line up of inspiring leaders.”


Contact... Check out


Editorial


Jo Barnes Special features editor Tel: 01633 777240 e-mail: jo.barnes@gwent- wales.co.uk


Advertising Graham Harris


Senior FieldSales Executive Tel: 01633 777135 e-mail: graham.harris@gwent- wales.co.uk


While many of us are enjoying the Olympics this year, one Newport firm is busy behind the scenes ensuring public safety at many of the associated festivities planned in the capital.


Rhiwderin-based EH Matters Ltd’s


current clients include the London Borough of Greenwich, host borough for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games. Company director Kathryn Ashton said:


“We are currently providing licensing and health and safety advice to Greenwich for some of the major events taking place around the Olympics and Paralympic games.


“Some of these events are very


spectacular, with special effects such as pyrotechnics and fireworks, and audiences


of up to 10,000. Public safety is paramount.” With more than 30 years’ experience in


the environmental health and licensing profession, and acollective membership of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, the Institute of Acoustics and the Institute of Licensing, EH Matters is well placed to provide this support. Kathryn has worked on major events


such as the Ryder Cup and the Welsh Open, but 2012 represents her biggest challenge to date. “I have worked with several London


boroughs recently, and the sheer scale of the Olympics is overwhelming. It’s apacked programme of activities.” She said: “No sooner had the Diamond Jubilee celebrations ended, than it was


Tuesday June 19, 2012 FirmensuressafetymattersatOlympics


straight into Olympic-based events, with Greenwich set to be the first London borough to welcome the Olympic Torch relay in July.” Kathryn’s relationship with Greenwich


also brings personal responsibility for events at the 02 Arena. Recent attractions at this multi-purpose venue include concerts by Guns &Roses, Kanye West and XFactor auditions. “I inspect the venue prior to concerts


and work closely with event organisers to ensure public safety” said Kathryn. “These are fast moving times” said a


breathless Kathryn, “but its exciting to know that we are bringing alittle of Newport to the Olympics and providing an assurance that the public can enjoy these events in safety.”


Businessawards launchedforcounty


T


businessingwent.co.uk for more on local business


he Monmouthshire Business Awards, which are being backed by Business Update, were officially launched at aspecial event held in Magor.


Organisers Janet Harris, of Your Voice, and


Wayne Boyland, of Zest Global, hosted the launch, which was attended by sponsors, representatives from local businesses and potential sponsors at the The Hampton by Hilton Hotel at Magor, which sponsored the launch event. Janet Harris explained the rationale of


creating the awards and the sponsorship categories available. Councillor Bob Greenland, Deputy Leader


of Monmouthshire County Council, which is one of the main sponsors of the awards, highlighted the synergy of the awards with the council’s economic development strategy to encourage growth in the business sectors. The evening was ahuge success with the


icing on the cake coming from The Welsh Government Regional Centre Service, which pledged support and assistance to the awards for 2012.


Categories are: Most Promising Business


Start Up, sponsored by University of Wales Newport; Best Food Tourism Business, sponsored by Adventa/Monmouthshire Enterprise; Training and Excellence in People Development to include Customer Service; Excellence in Retailing; Excellence in Marketing; Company of the Year, sponsored by Robert Davies Partnership; Innovation in Business, sponsored by Lewis &Lewis; Best Rural Enterprise, sponsored by Monmouthshire County Council; Young Entrepreneur, sponsored by Adventa/Monmouthshire Enterprise; Company showing Exceptional Growth, sponsored by Parker and Co Accountants; The Most Environmentally Aware Festival, sponsored by Adventa/Monmouthshire Enterprise. Entry forms can be downloaded from our


Councillor Bob Greenland at the launch


web site www.monbizawards.co.uk or from the Monmouthshire County Council web site: www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/monbizawards and they must be received by August 12, 2012.


Postal entries can be sent to: Becky


Hughes, Tourism and Innovation Officer, Adventa, Third Floor, Bridges Community Centre, Drybridge Park, Monmouth NP25 5AS or Jo Barnes, South Wales Argus,


Cardiff Road, Maesglas, Newport NP20 3QN. Deadline for entries is 5.30pm on Sunday


August 12, 2012. The judging panel, which consist of a representative from each category sponsor, Jo Barnes, business editor for the South Wales Argus, representative of The Welsh Government Regional Centre Service and chaired by Steve Sulley, who previously chaired the Abergavenny Business Awards.


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