Later this week, I’ll be hosting a discussion forum with ICAEW members from accountancy practices across Wales. It’s a chance to talk openly about what they believe that the next Welsh Government should prioritise after the election to help our economy grow.

As someone who’s spent a career championing Welsh enterprise, I’ve seen first-hand the resilience, ingenuity and ambition of our business community. But I’ve also seen too many businesses falter—not because they lacked talent or drive, but because they didn’t plan for what comes next.

The latest national Business Confidence Monitor (BCM) shows that business sentiment deteriorated further into negative territory in Q3 2025. This increased pessimism is underpinned by elevated concern over the tax burden, as well as above-average inflation and weak domestic and exports sales growth eroding businesses’ profit margins.

There’s something quietly significant about turning 60. It’s a moment that invites reflection not just on years gone by, but on what’s been achieved and what still lies ahead. Often referred to as a diamond jubilee, the milestone stands for resilience, strength and accomplishment.

The UK government’s launch of the Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy at Mansion House this July marks a pivotal moment—not just for the financial services sector across Britain, but specifically for Wales, where the FinTech sector continues to grow with momentum and ambition.

Robert Lloyd Griffiths discusses the opportunities for Welsh businesses in the UK Government’s newly launched Industrial Strategy.