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Business Argus

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

In brief...
Apprentice marks a successful year for Circle IT

Nut-free cakes prove a real recipe for success

By Jo Barnes
01633 777240 jba@gwent-wales.co.uk Twitter @SWABusiness
A food manufacturer which specialises in making celebration cakes suitable for people with nut allergies is expanding and set to create 18 new jobs with support from the Welsh Governments Economic Growth Fund. The Just Love Food Company was set up by Mike Woods after he discovered two of his three children suffered from severe nut allergies. It was the first and remains the only company in the UK - to supply the major supermarkets with celebration cakes suitable for people with nut allergies. The 60,000 Welsh Government grant will enable the business - which began trading from the Oakdale Business Park, Blackwood in 2010 - to buy additional equipment to increase its capacity and capability . As well as creating new jobs it will also safeguard 48 existing jobs. Following a tour of Just Love Food Company the Minister said: Im delighted to hear of its success and how Welsh Government support is enabling the company to invest in new equipment and win new business. Its also good to hear that an

A TRAINEE from South Wales is making his mark in the technology industry as Circle ITs first apprentice. Simon Felvus, 17, from Cwmbran started his apprenticeship with the IT service support provider in September and is working towards his NVQ level 3 in IT at Coleg y Cymoedd, Ystrad Mynach. He will split his time between studying at college and working on the companys service desk at the Cardiff Gate office, which provides IT support and managed services to more than a hundred organisations throughout the UK. Circle IT has secured its position as of one of Wales high-growth companies after recording an impressive 19% increase in turnover from 2012, at 4.3m. The Cardiff Gate based company has invested heavily in the development of its staff, to reach several key business milestones over the last 12 months, employing 18 new members of staff and launching its first apprenticeship scheme. The company has also recently celebrated the opening of its first office outside of Wales in Milton Keynes, which will house a team of technical and sales staff. Circle IT has demonstrated impressive growth in the education sector, and now provides consultancy and IT support services to 20 colleges across Wales and England. Simon said: When the opportunity to undertake an apprenticeship with Circle IT arose, I immediately knew that this was the path I want to take. It is a fantastic entry into work for me. I dont feel like a regular apprentice, I already feel like Im part of the team at Circle IT. Circle ITs managing director Roger Harry said: Simon has really impressed us with his initiative and problem solving on the service desk, and he has become a valuable member of the team. This apprenticeship is one of the ways we are looking to build on the internal development of the company and create a more skilled workforce giving opportunities to local people at both our Cardiff Gate and Milton Keynes office.

Economy Minister Edwina Hart, pictured with Mike Woods of Just Love Food Company innovative Welsh company has stepped in to fill a gap in the market and is now selling its products throughout the UK, The 120,000 investment in new equipment will also ensure continuity of production should there be any potential breakdown or failure of equipment which is a requirement of major supermarkets before awarding significant contracts. Mike Woods said: This is a very important investment for us and will help take the business to the next level. We will shortly be supplying all four of the major supermarkets with our celebration cakes and had to ensure security of supply which we could not have done without support from the Economic Growth Fund. Mike also supplies nut-free birthday cakes to Pizza Hut for childrens parties and hopes to expand in the future to include nut-free party foods and other ranges.

Superwoman Lowri gives audience a taste of adventures

A REAL-LIFE super-woman was guest speaker at the Torfaen Business Voice Christmas gathering held at Cwmbrans Greenmeadow Golf Club. Extreme athlete and TV presenter Lowri Morgan, who has completed the Ultra and Arctic Challenges, represented Wales at rugby, athletics and cross country and dived to the wreck of the Titanic, gave an inspirational talk. Lowri, who has also competed in the Ironman Challenge and run the Jungle Marathon in the Amazon, stopped off in Cwmbran to give Torfaen Business Voice members a taste of her adventures. Torfaen Business Voice chairman Dennis Ricketts said: We were privileged to have Lowri Morgan as speaker for our Christmas event and to get an insight into her monumental achievements as a television presenter, marathon runner and global adventurer. Ashley Harkus, Torfaen Business Voice committee member, said: It really was a hugely enjoyable and well-attended evening with a very tasty hog roast. Mr Harkus, senior partner at Everett Tomlin Lloyd & Pratt solicitors, said: The talk given by Lowri Morgan about the perils of running ultra marathons and the mentality needed to succeed was truly inspirational and well appreciated by the audience. l For more details on Torfaen Business Voice and how to join, you can visit www.southwalesbusiness. co.uk

Lowri Morgan and Torfaen Business Voice chairman Dennis Ricketts

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