EditorFeb 11

Swansea Bay’s best businesses scoop top gongs at packed Brangwyn Hall awards

The annual ceremony — run by JR Event Group in partnership with Bevan Buckland LLP — brought together leading firms from Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire for a night of big wins, big applause and fierce competition.

Hosted by BBC presenter Jason Mohammad, the event saw a record number of entries this year, with judges describing the standard as “the toughest yet”. Guests also heard from Hair Syrup founder Lucie Macleod, whose Pembrokeshire brand is on track to hit £10 million in sales.

A full gallery of images from the night — captured by photographer Gareth Danks — shows the winners collecting their trophies and the Brangwyn Hall crowd in full celebration mode.

All images: © Gareth Danks Photography

A night of standout winners

Hyppo Hydrogen Solutions took home the Green & Sustainable Business award, while reTHINK PR & Marketing topped the Creative & Digital category. Insight Workplace Health was named Family Business of the Year, and Morgans Collection secured the Hospitality title.

Wall Colmonoy won Innovative Business of the Year, Days Motor Group claimed Large Business of the Year, and Viscose Closures took the Manufacturing crown.

Beacon Cymru Group was named Not‑for‑Profit of the Year, Cotts Equine won Rural & Agricultural, and Bordessa Holidays scooped Retail Business of the Year.

Fast Pace Logistics was named Start‑Up of the Year, Dan Yr Ogof – The National Showcave Centre for Wales won Tourism & Leisure, and Andrew Scott Ltd took Trade & Construction.

Swansea Building Society won Professional Business of the Year, while Pisys.net was crowned SME of the Year.

The Young Business Person of the Year award went to Matthew Davies and Paul Gravell.

Top prize goes to Swansea Building Society

The biggest gong of the night — Business of the Year — went to Swansea Building Society, rounding off a strong showing for the organisation.

Voting for the 2027 awards will open later this year.

#BrangwynHall #Business #JREvents #Swansea #SwanseaBayBusinessAwards
EditorDec 2

Festive spirit set to shine as Together at Christmas returns to Brangwyn Hall

The free celebration, now in its ninth year, runs from noon to 3pm and includes a two‑course Christmas dinner, live entertainment and more wrap‑around support than ever before.

Visitors will be able to access food and clothing banks, free haircuts, pet care advice and products, children’s books, hygiene supplies and health services. Organisers say the event is open to anyone who feels lonely, isolated or in need of festive cheer, as well as those at risk of homelessness.

Free mini‑buses will run to and from Brangwyn Hall, departing at 11.30am from the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Caer Las at the top of the Strand, and the parking area by Swansea Mobility Hire at the Quadrant.

Volunteers serve roast potatoes, carrots, peas and Brussels sprouts at the Together at Christmas event in Brangwyn Hall.
(Image: Swansea Council)

Community effort

Together at Christmas is jointly staged by Swansea Council and JR Events and Catering, with support from local partners, businesses and volunteers who give their time and resources freely.

Council Leader Rob Stewart said the event reflects Swansea’s community spirit: “Together at Christmas is about making sure no one feels forgotten during the festive season. It’s a wonderful example of the generosity of local businesses and volunteers who make this day possible, not least our good friends at JR Events and Catering who always pull out all the stops to make it a huge success.”

Together at Christmas — event details

Date and time:
Tuesday 9 December, 12pm to 3pm

Location:
Brangwyn Hall, Swansea


Open invitation to anyone feeling lonely, isolated or in need of festive cheer


Free two-course Christmas dinner, entertainment, food and clothing banks, haircuts, pet care advice, hygiene products, children’s books and more


Free mini-buses depart at 11.30am from Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Caer Las (top of the Strand), and Swansea Mobility Hire (Quadrant)


Swansea Council and JR Events and Catering, with support from local partners and volunteers

He added that the event forms part of the council’s wider #HereForYouThisWinter campaign, which includes support for emergency food providers, funding for Swansea Spaces, more than 100 grants for community activities, free bus travel in the run‑up to Christmas and New Year, and targeted help for vulnerable families through the councillor voucher scheme.

A guest dressed as the Grinch brings festive cheer to Brangwyn Hall during Swansea’s Together at Christmas celebration.
(Image: Swansea Council)

A day of kindness

Jessica Rice, Director of JR Events and Catering, said: “We’re proud to host this special day again. Christmas is about kindness and togetherness, and we’re delighted to play a part in creating a memorable experience for those who need it most.

“There is an open invitation and we want people to leave not just with full bellies but with full hearts. It’s completely free of charge. There’s a two‑course meal, a foodbank, wellness banks, and even vaccinations and health advice as part of the big wrap‑around of support too.”

Brangwyn Hall decorated for Together at Christmas, with festive performances and support services for Swansea residents.
(Image: Swansea Council)

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Date set for return of Swansea’s ‘Together at Christmas’ event
Free festive dinner and entertainment confirmed at Brangwyn Hall on December 9.

‘Together at Christmas’ to bring festive cheer to Swansea people in need
Swansea once again comes together to spread festive cheer to those most in need.

Free Christmas event for vulnerable returning to Brangwyn Hall
Annual celebration returns with food, entertainment and vital support services.

Festive dinner on the table for vulnerable, isolated and homeless in Swansea
Swansea pulls out all the stops to bring festive cheer to residents in need.

#brangwynHall #christmas #community #festiveSupport #homelessness #jrEvents #swansea #swanseaCouncil #togetherAtChristmas

EditorOct 9

Date set for return of Swansea’s ‘Together at Christmas’ event

The Together at Christmas event, organised by JR Events and Catering with support from Swansea Council, will be held on Tuesday, December 9, running from noon until 3pm.

At its heart will be a free two‑course Christmas meal, alongside live entertainment and stalls from local services and charities offering advice and support.

Support through the winter

The council says the event comes as part of wider efforts to ensure no one in Swansea is left without accommodation during the colder months. It forms part of the authority’s #HereForYouThisWinter campaign, which also includes free travel, food initiatives and welcoming spaces across the city.

Council leader Rob Stewart said:

“I’m very proud that we are able to deliver another wonderful Together at Christmas event this year, and that once again we will be pulling out the stops to provide a little extra help to those who need it.

It would not be possible without our wonderful partners at JR Events & Catering and I’d thank them for inviting us to work with them again.”

“A special afternoon”

Now in its ninth year, the event has become a fixture in Swansea’s festive calendar. Jess Rice, director of JR Events & Catering, said the team felt compelled to continue despite challenges facing the hospitality industry.

“The last few years have been some of the most difficult in recent memory – with so many facing financial problems through to extreme isolation and loneliness. We simply couldn’t stand back and not help, having seen the happiness and support this event brings annually.”

Event manager Shannon Williams added:

“Can you imagine a Christmas with little to no food, festivities, family or friends? This is the reality for some of Swansea’s most vulnerable people, so together with Swansea Council, we’re so proud to once again host Together at Christmas. It’s an open invitation for an incredibly special afternoon.”

She said volunteers were already in place to help run the day, but organisers are still seeking offers of entertainment, services or donations to make the event as memorable as possible.

Anyone able to contribute can contact Shannon Williams at [email protected].

Related Articles

#BrangwynHall #Christmas #ChristmasMeal #CllrRobStewart #HereForYouThisWinter #homelessness #JessRice #JREvents #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #TogetherAtChristmas