In a new feature, Caerphilly Observer will be profiling a business based at the Welsh Innovation Centre for Enterprise. Welsh ICE is a hub for new businesses at Caerphilly Business Park and is currently home to around 60 start-ups. This week we look at business consultancy Hwyl.
A former business manager with HSBC is striking out on his own with the launch of his new consultancy.
Simon Jones spent 30 years with HSBC working with clients across all sectors in the Caerphilly, Pontypridd and Talbot Green areas.
Simon said that while he enjoyed helping local businesses with their finances, he grew frustrated that his bank role limited his ability to help clients make improvements in other areas.
With the opportunity to set up his consultancy, Simon seized it.
The father-of-two said: “I didn’t need to think twice. I know clients will benefit from the extended services I now offer, not just finance.”
Simon, 49, explained the choice of Hwyl as the business’ name reflects his passion to help business owners to re-ignite their emotion, motivation and energy.
He said: “Hwyl can help a business in three ways. We can do a project which takes a bird’s eye view of the company and ascertain a particular area which would benefit from my experience and intuition to significantly improve the profitability of the business.
“The second would be working alongside a business as an ongoing trusted advisor in terms of business development and business finance.
“The third would be a detailed analysis which concentrates on the customer experience – the core of any growing business. We also look at the business team and rationalising overheads of a business to get the right risk/reward strategy.”
Hwyl held its official launch at Welsh ICE in December last year.
Simon said that being based at Welsh ICE has been hugely rewarding so far.
He added: “It has been superb. There is a real environment of collaboration with ideas from lots of different people.”
• For more information about Hwyl visit hwylbusiness.com, call 02921 202 100, or email simon@hwylbusiness.com