Following a summer break, Swansea Bay Business Club has kicked off its annual calendar of networking events with a successful September lunch held on Friday (23rd September), with guest speaker, WRU Chairman Gareth Davies joining the growing membership base as guest speaker, at the Marriott Hotel, Swansea.
Gareth talked to guests about the business of rugby as well as challenges and achievements from his distinguished career and guests had the opportunity to ask questions whilst enjoying lunch and the opportunity to network with other businesses in attendance.
President of Swansea Bay Business Club, Hayley Davies comments: “We were delighted to have Gareth join us as our guest speaker for our September lunch. He has an illustrious sporting background as well as a strong professional and business record, and his talk has been very well received by attendees. Prior to his role at the WRU, Gareth joined Royal Mail Group PLC at the most challenging time in the organisation’s 368 year long history, as it proceeded with the single biggest corporate turnaround program in British industry, and so the challenges he’s faced and how he’s overcome them have made for an inspiring lunch.
“We are now looking forward to next month’s lunch where we will welcome Joseph Valente, former winner of BBC’s ‘The Apprentice’. Tickets are already proving popular and as a fan of ‘The Apprentice’ I’m personally looking forward to hearing Joseph’s story of entrepreneurship.”
Peterborough-born Valente, who is 26 years old, started work as an apprentice at the age of 15 before going on to start his own plumbing, heating and electrical business, Impra Gas. He is the most recent winner of The Apprentice, receiving an investment of £250,000 from Lord Sugar following his performance on the show.
Alongside his work commitments, Joseph is also heavily involved with supporting young people, offering one-on-one mentoring sessions, work place programmes and being a voice for change in the way the national curriculum is currently designed to teach young people.
Also being held at The Marriott, bookings for the lunch will close at midnight on Friday 14th October. To avoid disappointment early booking is recommended. The event is sponsored by GCS Training (the business training arm of Gower College Swansea)