Ruthin entrepreneur recognised for success on Top 100 female entrepreneurs list

Workplace Worksafe founder Rhian Parry recognised for her contribution to society, the economy and local community.

Ruthin entrepreneur Rhian Parry has been named one of the UK's 100 most inspirational female entrepreneurs by Small Business Britain's f:Entrepreneur '#ialso100' campaign. 

Rhian, who founded Workplace Worksafe - one of the leading independent suppliers of health and safety equipment, personal protection equipment (PPE) and branded workwear in 2005 - is recognised alongside 99 female entrepreneurs from across the UK who are flourishing despite the challenges thrown up by the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Now in its fourth year, f:Entrepreneur was launched in 2017 to highlight female role models in business. It specifically aims to showcase trailblazing female entrepreneurs that lead small businesses alongside other responsibilities, such as volunteering, mentoring and community support activities. This year's campaign celebrates inspiring and resilient female entrepreneurs that are succeeding despite Covid-19.

Rhian set up Workplace Worksafe to supply personal protection equipment, and later diversified into specialist areas such as protection items for offshore windfarms. The firm has more recently developed high-specification protection transportation systems for energy sector components, which has driven significant business growth in recent years. The company employs 13 people at its base on the Lon Parcwr Industrial Estate in Ruthin.

Workplace Worksafe has been assisted by the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP) which provides targeted support for ambitious growing firms. The programme is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government.
 

Commenting on her inclusion in the #ialso100 list, Rhian said:

"I am incredibly honoured to have been selected as one of Top 100 inspirational female entrepreneurs in the UK. The team and I have had to work incredibly hard to keep the business moving forward in these challenging times. To have the business community's recognition at this time is a very proud moment."

Since signing up to the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP) programme in 2015, Workplace Worksafe has received mentoring and specialist advice on marketing, public relations and sales. This support has proved "invaluable" according to Rhian Parry:

"It's been so helpful to have the support of our relationship manager Idris Price and expert coaches to help us navigate the challenges that come with growing a business, particularly over the last few years. I am very grateful for the support we have received from the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme and would recommend it to any business looking to scale up and grow."

Richard Morris of the Excelerator Consortium, which delivers the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme, said:

"We are delighted to see Rhian included on this prestigious list. Despite the significant obstacles of the last year, her story shows that female entrepreneurship continues to grow and flourish in Wales. The resilience Rhian has shown is hugely valuable, and we are confident it will set her up for continued success as we look ahead to better times."

Workplace Worksafe has been recognised with several prestigious awards in recent years. In 2019, a product designed and developed by Rhian, and manufactured in Wales, won the highly commended award from the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF). Rhian also scooped a Womenspire award from equality body Chwarae Teg for her contribution to the rural economy in 2018. 

To see the full list of the 100 amazing women featured in this year's f:entrepreneur #ialso100 campaign visit https://f-entrepreneur.com/fentrepreneur-100/

Further information on the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme

Welsh technology to help U.S. Navy reduce waste and environmental impact

Cardiff-based Thermal Compaction Group eyes significant growth following the sale of its 'Massmelt' prototypeCardiff-based Thermal Compaction Group eyes significant growth following the sale of its 'Massmelt' prototype.

Thermal compaction technology developed in Wales is set to help the U.S. Navy reduce the waste produced by its fleet by up to 75%.

Cardiff-based Thermal Compaction Group (TCG) has sold a prototype of its patented Massmelt thermal compaction system to the U.S. Navy, in a six-figure deal. The firm is now in negotiations to licence the design for manufacture in the U.S., in a potentially multi-million-dollar deal.

TCG, based in Curran Road, was founded in 2014 and specialises in sustainable waste recycling systems that provide cost-effective solutions to common waste management problems.

The firm has been assisted by the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP) which provides targeted support for ambitious growing firms. The programme is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government.

The team consists of researchers and engineers with a shared commitment to building a greener future through innovative, patent-protected technology. The company has developed a range of products that contribute to the circular economy by reducing waste volume and allowing it to be re-used or recycled. TCG's products are particularly focused on processing single-use plastics, thus reducing the amount ending up in landfill or at sea.

The firm's Massmelt system uses compaction and heat to reduce the volume of compactable waste by around 75%, and moisture content by up to 25%. The system uses plastics within the waste to form a thermally binding crust or skin on the outside, allowing the output to maintain a cylindrical shape at the end of the thermal compaction process. These output 'logs' can be cut to any length and re-used in a variety of applications, including fence posts or flood defences. As well as preventing waste from ending up in landfill, Massmelt contributes to a reduced carbon footprint by minimising the transportation required to dispose of waste.

L-R: Philip Davison-Sebry, Thomas Davison-Sebry and Mathew Rapson of Cardiff-based Thermal Compaction Group (TCG) with the firm’s patented Massmelt thermal compaction system, which is being trialled by the US Navy.

Commenting on the U.S. Navy deal, Managing Director of TCG, Philip Davison-Sebry, said:

 "The U.S. Navy operates thousands of aircraft, over 280 battle force ships and submarines, 140 auxiliary ships, and approximately 200 installations to support those assets worldwide. It recognises its responsibility to serve as a good steward of the environment as part of its mission, and we are delighted to be working with the U.S. Navy to help reduce the volume of waste it produces across its vast fleet.

"At the moment, the prototype is being trialled at a Navy Research Laboratory in Maryland, with a view to manufacture the system in the U.S. under licence should all go well. At this stage, all the indications are positive, and we are in ongoing discussions about next steps.

"Our business was born out of a passion for using intelligent engineering to solve one of the biggest issues facing the planet today – how to reduce the impact of waste, and re-use it where possible. It's a source of great pride to our small team that our technology is being used to help such a major military force reduce its environmental impact."

L-R: Thomas Davison-Sebry and Philip Davison-Sebry of Cardiff-based Thermal Compaction Group (TCG) with the firm’s patented Massmelt thermal compaction system, which is being trialled by the US Navy.

TCG now aims to increase its workforce by 200% over the next two years to meet the increasing demand for its technology.

Since signing up to the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP) programme in 2019, the company has received mentoring and specialist advice on market analysis, funding opportunities and establishing key client contacts. This support has proved "very helpful" according to Mr Davison-Sebry:

"As a small company, it's been invaluable to have the support of our relationship manager Howard Jones and several experienced business coaches as we have navigated our way from the R & D phase to a period of high growth.

“We are very grateful for the service we have received from the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme and would recommend it to any business looking to scale up and grow."

Richard Morris of the Excelerator Consortium, which delivers the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme, said:

“It's fantastic to see TCG's innovative waste reduction technology being trialled by the U.S. Navy. There are clearly many benefits with this solution and we wish them well with this venture. TCG is an excellent example of an innovative Welsh business leading the way in the effort to reduce the impact of waste across the globe."

To learn more about Thermal Compaction Group (TCG) visit HERE.

Further information on the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme

Wales’ Limb Art scoops prestigious Great British Entrepreneur Award

The former Paralympic swimmer and founder of LIMB-art, Mark Williams, has won the national Entrepreneurial Spirit Award for 2020 at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards.

Mark won the award at the virtual National Final on Tuesday and builds on the same title he won for Wales at the regional final in September. National winners were crowned from a group of 135 founders of 110 businesses who were successful at the regional finals. The Covid-19 pandemic forced the National Final online for the first time. 

LIMB-art is a British design and manufacturing company based in the heart of beautiful North Wales dedicated to producing ‘the world’s coolest prosthetic leg covers’. Founded in 2018, by former Paralympic swimmer and medallist, Mark Williams, LIMB-art was born out of an overwhelming desire to help other prosthetic users raise their confidence, be proud of what they have and very simply, but equally importantly, have fun showing off whilst doing so.

Limb Art has been supported by the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP) – which provides targeted support to ambitious growing businesses – since 2018. The business has received mentoring, marketing and PR support through the programme.

Now in its eighth year, the Great British Entrepreneur Awards in partnership with Starling Bank celebrate the hard work and inspiring stories of entrepreneurs in the UK, rather than the business’ balance sheet.

 Commenting on his win, Mark said:

“I am absolutely overjoyed to win one of the most prestigious awards in the UK and so proud of our Limb-art business which started out as a solution for my body image issues but grew into a business that now helps amputees all over the world gain confidence and #standoutstandproud.

“This award really helps us spread the word and will drive our expansion into other countries throughout 2021.”

Francesca James, founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, said:

“I want to send my warmest congratulations to Mark. He has an incredibly inspiring story and while the standard of competition this year has been fierce, he is the perfect embodiment of entrepreneurial spirit. He has taken his own adversity and turned it into something truly positive for so many people with passion and determination.”

Speaking to the finalists, Anne Boden, founder and CEO of Starling Bank, said: “I have to thank all of you finalists for all the hard work you have put in to get where you are today. As the CEO of Starling Bank, I’m so so proud that Starling Bank is sponsoring these Awards because entrepreneurship is something really special.

“The virus has caused much heartache, but I’m encouraged by the perseverance and determination of you, as entrepreneurs, to do your best to get through this.”


To learn more about LIMB-art visit HERE.

Further information on the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme