Thales supports local business awards in South Wales

Thales has supported an important inaugural business awards ceremony in South Wales which celebrated the achievements of the entrepreneurial individuals and small medium enterprises in the region.

Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council recently held its first Business Awards with a total of eight categories awarded at an event in Ebbw Vale. 

The awards also coincided with separate news of the plans to establish an exciting new digital and cyber security centre in Wales which was recently welcomed by Welsh Government Economy Secretary Ken Skates, who also attended the awards event.

Thales sponsored the Excellence in Innovation & Technology Award which was given to the Eden Education Centre. Gareth Williams, the head of Thales in the UK’s digital and cyber security business, presented the award to the centre’s Peter Jones.

Blaenau Gwent has a reputation for innovation, it always been at the cutting edge of the Industrial Revolution and as a global technology leader, I think it is appropriate for Thales to be supporting businesses in this area.

With the recent welcoming by the Economy Secretary of the plans to establish a world class digital and cyber security in Blaenau Gwent, I think it is a hugely exciting time for the region. I was delighted to attend with members of my management team and was impressed by the breadth of experience and skills celebrated here this evening.
Gareth Williams, head of Thales in the UK’s digital and cyber security business

Councillor Dai Davies, Executive Member for Regeneration and Economic Development from Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, said: “This is our first business awards that we have organised and I’m pleased to say that it was a successful evening celebrating and highlighting business success in Blaenau Gwent. 

“Congratulations to all our winners. I would like to thank our sponsors and all the businesses who submitted applications and to those who were shortlisted. We look forward to hosting this again next year and to continue to recognise the achievements of businesses in Blaenau Gwent.”
 

Economy Secretary, Ken Skates said: “I would like to extend my congratulations to businesses big and small whose achievements and successes have been recognised.

“As Welsh Government, we remain absolutely committed to supporting economic growth in Blaenau Gwent and just this week I was pleased to announce that we will be investing £25m in the Tech Valleys project over the next three years in order to accelerate progress of this important programme.”

Blaenau Gwent is a place of heritage and dramatic change and was once one of the world’s major centres of steelmaking and industry. Situated in south-east Wales, it is a region with a famous industrial past, but has experienced enormous regeneration investment in recent years, with an emphasis on technology and education.

Pictures © Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council