Economic growth in Caerphilly County Borough is outperforming other areas in Wales, according to a leading business academic.
Professor Dylan Jones-Evans, Director of Enterprise and Innovation at the University of Wales, compiles the Fast Growth 50 list of up-and-coming Welsh companies.
At the launch of the 2014 Caerphilly Business Forum Awards, held on June 25, he said companies based in the county borough featured on the Fast Growth 50, had an average growth rate of 280% compared to the list average of 120%.
He said: “Caerphilly is really what we call a growth spot.”
Prof Jones-Evans highlighted Direct Healthcare Services, building aggregate company Crush, training company Learn About (Wales) and resin flooring firm TPS 360 as evidence of the area’s business success.
He explained: “Sometimes people might say Caerphilly isn’t the place to do business, but what we have found is that Caerphilly is outperforming the rest of Wales when it comes to growing companies.”
Denise Lovering, Chair of Caerphilly Business Forum, echoed the professor’s thought and said the feedback she has had from forum members is that things were getting better.
She urged local businesses to enter the awards, which are sponsored by Coleg Gwent’s Business Edge initiative, and said: “The awards are an opportunity for businesses to promote themselves to the local community and give them a wider knowledge of what they do.
“Entering makes business owners focus on what they do and what their business is all about.
“If you do manage to win, it makes you feel you’ve achieved something and as she said, it’s about the team around you.”
This year the awards have eight categories.
These are: Business of the Year (with 25 employees or fewer) sponsored by Caerphilly County Borough Council; Business of the Year (with more than 25 employees) sponsored by Finance Wales; Apprentice of the Year; Women in Business sponsored by Glenside Commercials; Contribution to the Rural Economy supported by Caerffili Cwm a Mynydd; Employee of the Year; Manufacturing in Action sponsored by the Federation of Small Businesses and the Innovation Award sponsored by Dell and Excellence IT.
A Premier Award, sponsored by Broomfield and Alexander will also be presented to the overall winner on the night.
The awards dinner will take place at Bryn Meadows Golf, Hotel and Spa on Friday November 21.
For more information and how to enter visit www.cbforum.co.uk.