Celebrating Welsh food and drink

specialityfoodmagazine.com 15 INVALUABLE EVENTS Welsh Government collaborates with partners across the sector to host key events across the calendar year, from the RoyalWelsh Show to the Insight Conference and Blas Cymru / Taste Wales. For more information visit businesswales. gov.wales/ foodanddrink, and for a list of 2026 events see p50 . WELL-BEING OFFUTURE GENERATIONSACT TheWell-Being of Future GenerationsAct is a groundbreaking piece of legislation making public bodies legally responsible for improving the environment, society, economy and culture, and is at the heart of everything the Welsh Government does. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Information on further support is available elsewhere in this publication: Sustainability Support: p12 The HELIX Programme: p18 Export Programmes: p16 Cywain Programme At any stage of their development, food and drink businesses are welcomed to the Cywain Programme where they will be given a tailored package to help themdevelop. The process begins with a diagnostics session, where the business’s individual needs will be assessed, then variedmodes of support will be provided – from industry connections including supply chain experts, as well asmarketing and business strategy insights. Market Insight Programme A successful business is an informed one, and theMarket Insight Programme supplies companies with themarket intelligence they need to performat their best. From reports spanning retail and out of homemarkets inWales and the UK to industry data from50 countries across the world, this is proving to be an invaluable resource for businesses wanting to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to trends andmarket forces. Trade Development Programme Through the Trade Development ProgrammeWelsh Government are helping businesses to increase trade with retailers, independent stores, the public sector and food service within the UK. They also runmarketing campaigns to raise awareness of the food and drink produced inWales. A number of tools to help address skills and competency gaps are available under the Trade Development Programme banner, from The Retail Planwhich provides details on the opportunities and challenges facing the sector to practical webinars via Trade Development Support, and the Commercial Skills Programme which develops the industry’s commercial management standards. Plus, Meet the Buyer events that bring retailers and wholesalers face-to-face with producers. Cluster Network Direct Welsh Government support is available to a carefully selected group of food and drink sectors via Cluster Groups to aid businesses’ growth via optimising commercial opportunities, boosting capability andmanaging obstacles. The Cluster Groups include: Fine Food & Honey, Drinks, Seafood, Nutri- Wales, Horticulture, Sustainability and Export. Investor Ready Programme This programme is designed to improve the financial expertise within businesses to help take them to greater success. Day- to-day operations and important business decisions can be improved by utilising the guidance from this Programme, including how to attract potential investors and valuable restructuring insights. Food &Drink SkillsWales Manufacturing and processing businesses are offered training opportunities to assist their growth, in topics covering leadership and management, marketing and sales, production andmanufacturing, sustainability and decarbonisation, and compliance and statutory requirements. Support is also provided via bespoke training whereby businesses will be advised of training, course and apprenticeship opportunities which best suit each company’s needs and supported to access funding. Scale-Up Programme By advising businesses on common hurdles that get in the way of scaling up – access to capital and capacity, improving skills, confidence and finding collaborators – the Scale-Up Programme offers a tailored approach covering mentoring, workshops, training and events including visits to inspirational businesses to help companies level-up their operations.