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SWANSEA: She started with £20 and a mop at 18 — now Rachael Flanagan has been named Wales Director of the Year

Rachael Flanagan was 18 years old, had just failed her Business Studies A-level, and had £20 to her name. She spent it printing flyers, picked up a mop, and started cleaning houses in south Wales.

Twenty years later, she has been named Medium to Large Business Director of the Year at the IoD Wales Director of the Year Awards 2026 — one of the most prestigious business leadership prizes in Wales.

Mrs Buckét, which has its headquarters in Swansea, is now on track to achieve a projected £11.5 million turnover in 2026, employing almost 500 staff and serving 185 commercial clients across Wales and Bristol.

The name itself is a nod to the classic BBC sitcom Keeping Up Appearances — a wink at Hyacinth Bucket, who always insisted her surname was pronounced “Bouquet.” The business started as a domestic cleaning service before Rachael sold that side in 2018 and pivoted entirely to commercial cleaning, where clients now include the Wales Millennium Centre, Sony UK Technology Centre and GE Wales Aviation.

Rachael is also known for her commitment to paying at least the Real Living Wage and challenging outdated perceptions of the cleaning industry. “There is a mistaken belief that cleaners are poorly educated, poorly paid and forced to work antisocial hours,” she has previously said. “That couldn’t be further from the truth.”

The IoD judges praised her strategic focus, strong governance and people-first culture, highlighting her entrepreneurial leadership and disciplined approach to growth. Mrs Buckét achieved a 30% increase in business performance in 2025, securing 30 new clients including major education sector contracts with Bassaleg High School and the RCT Education Framework.

Last month, Rachael moved into the CEO role while Kate Ablett — herself shortlisted for the IoD Skills Development Award — was promoted to Managing Director, allowing Rachael to focus on the strategic direction of the business.

Speaking after receiving the award, Rachael said: “I am absolutely thrilled to receive this award and incredibly proud of what we have achieved as a business. This recognition reflects the hard work, commitment and passion of our entire team, who consistently go above and beyond for our clients every single day.”

The ceremony at ICC Wales in Newport on 8 May also saw Swansea Bay represented by Cherrie Bija, CEO of Faith in Families, who took the Public and Third Sector prize.

Faith in Families is a Swansea Bay charity supporting children and families facing poverty, trauma and crisis through its network of Community Cwtches and the Cwtch Mawr Multibank — Wales’s first multibank, which redistributes surplus goods from businesses to families in need. Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey visited the project earlier this year to hear how rising costs are affecting children across the region.

The wider ceremony brought together more than 300 directors, CEOs and senior leaders from across Wales. It was hosted by broadcaster Mariclare Carey-Jones in collaboration with headline sponsor Cardiff Business School, with 38 finalists shortlisted across 10 categories.

The evening also included a Chair’s Award for Excellence in Director and Board Practice, presented to Professor Simon Gibson CBE DL for his exceptional contribution to the technology sector, entrepreneurship and public service in Wales. A co-founder and CEO of Ubiquity Software and Chief Executive of Wesley Clover Corporation, he continues to support innovation and startup growth in Wales as Chairman of the Alacrity Foundation.

This year’s chosen charity partner was The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2026.

Richard Selby MBE DL, National Chair of IoD Wales, said the awards were an opportunity to recognise exceptional leaders driving change across the Welsh economy. “Every finalist and winner has demonstrated the impact that strong leadership can have, not only within their own organisation, but across communities, industries and the wider Welsh economy,” he said.

He added: “At a time of continued challenge and change, it is inspiring to see so many leaders committed to innovation, inclusion, sustainability and developing future talent.”

SWANSEA: Faith in Families CEO Cherrie Bija named IoD Wales Director of the Year in public and third sector category

Cherrie Bija, the chief executive of Faith in Families, has been named Public and Third Sector Director of the Year at the IoD Wales Director of the Year Awards 2026, sponsored by Buffoon Media.

The award, presented by the Institute of Directors — which has been supporting and developing business leaders since 1903 — recognises exceptional leadership across Wales, celebrating directors making a lasting difference within their organisations and communities.

Under Bija’s leadership, Faith in Families has grown into a trusted, community-rooted charity supporting children and families facing poverty, trauma and crisis across Swansea Bay, through initiatives including its network of Community Cwtches and the Cwtch Mawr Multibank.

Cwtch Mawr, which operates in partnership with Amazon and The Multibank UK, was the first multibank in Wales — redistributing surplus goods from businesses to families through a professional referral model designed to provide support with dignity.

Bija said the recognition belonged not to her but to everyone who makes the charity what it is.

“This award means so much, but it doesn’t belong to me,” she said. “It belongs to every single person who makes Faith in Families what it is — our team, our volunteers, and our partners who show up every day for children and families.”

She added: “Everything we do is for the families we support now, and for those we haven’t met yet. Every child deserves to feel safe, valued, and supported, and this recognition is a reminder of why that work matters so much.”

The award comes after a period of significant growth and recognition for the charity. Earlier this year, Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey visited the Cwtch Mawr Multibank to hear from Bija and her team about how rising costs, interest rates and financial pressure are affecting children across Swansea Bay.

Faith in Families also secured nearly £250,000 in Welsh Government funding for its Bonymaen Community Cwtch, and the Swansea Bay Business Club raised more than £40,000 for the charity in recognition of its work across the region.

Beyond her leadership of Faith in Families, Bija has played a wider role in shaping services and funding for children and families through national and regional leadership positions.

Faith in Families said it hoped the award would shine a light on the importance of early support, community connection and trauma-informed approaches in improving outcomes for children and families.

More on Faith in Families

Bank of England boss meets Swansea charity fighting child poverty
Governor Andrew Bailey visited the Cwtch Mawr Multibank to hear how economic decisions affect real families.

Faith in Families secures nearly £250k Welsh Government funding for Bonymaen Community Cwtch
Major grant secures the future of one of the charity’s key community hubs.

Swansea Bay Business Club smashes £40k charity target for Faith in Families
Local business community rallies around the charity with a record-breaking fundraising effort.

Amazon Swansea staff pack 950 school backpacks for local families
Amazon partners with Faith in Families to kit out hundreds of children ahead of the new school year.

https://www.europesays.com/uk/747017/ Bank of England boss meets Swansea charity fighting child poverty: ‘Economic decisions must hear real families’ #AndrewBailey #BankOfEngland #BankOfEnglandGovernor #Britain #Charity #CherrieBija #CwtchMawr #CwtchMawrMultibank #England #FaithInFamilies #GreatBritain #Multibank #Swansea #UK #UnitedKingdom

Bank of England boss meets Swansea charity fighting child poverty: ‘Economic decisions must hear real families’

Andrew Bailey visited Faith in Families’ Cwtch Mawr Multibank in the city, meeting CEO Cherrie Bija and hearing how rising costs, interest rates and financial pressure are hitting children long before the impact shows up in official statistics.

The visit brought one of the UK’s most powerful economic figures into the heart of a charity that works daily with families struggling to afford the basics.

‘Child poverty is everyone’s business’

Cherrie Bija said the meeting was a chance to put the lived experience of Swansea families directly into national economic conversations.

“Child poverty is everyone’s business,” she said. “We have a responsibility to advocate for those who are most vulnerable in our society, especially children, and to make sure their voices are heard at every level.”

Faith in Families supports children facing poverty, trauma and crisis across Swansea Bay, providing everything from emotional support to essential items through its multibank model.

Staff told the Governor how financial strain shows up in children’s lives — in stress, mental health, relationships and a sense of safety — long before it appears in spreadsheets or economic forecasts.

Interest rates hitting families hardest

The charity highlighted how interest rates shape everyday life: the cost of mortgages and rent, food and energy bills, and whether families feel able to cope or are pushed closer to crisis.

Households already under pressure feel the impact first, they said — and children often carry the consequences.

Bailey’s visit was described as an important moment, bringing frontline experience into discussions usually dominated by markets and monetary policy.

What is Cwtch Mawr Multibank?

Cwtch Mawr is Wales’s first multibank, redistributing surplus goods from businesses to families through trusted frontline organisations. The model aims to support families with dignity while reducing waste and strengthening community‑led responses to poverty.

Faith in Families says it will continue to “stand alongside children and families, advocating boldly for fairness, dignity and the best possible start in life”.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Cwtch Mawr Multibank begins pilot expansion into Neath Port Talbot
How Swansea’s multibank model is being tested in Neath Port Talbot to reach more families in need.

Virgin Media O2 donates hundreds of smartphones and free data to Swansea’s Cwtch Mawr Multibank
Donation of devices and data helping families stay connected and access vital services through Cwtch Mawr.

Swansea charity calls on businesses to donate excess stock after Budget VAT rule change
Faith in Families urges firms to use new VAT rules to divert surplus goods to struggling households.

Amazon and major brands donate 200,000 hygiene essentials to Swansea Multibank
Major brands back the multibank with a huge hygiene donation for families across Swansea Bay.

Swansea Bay Business Club smashes £40k charity target for Faith in Families

Epic fundraising challenges

Over the past two years, members of Swansea Bay Business Club have walked the Welsh Three Peaks twice, run the Swansea Half Marathon, cycled 400 miles from Fishguard to London, trekked from Swansea Pier to Port Talbot Pier, and joined the CarTen ride from Cardiff to Tenby. Add in an art auction and a string of fundraising lunches, and the total soared past £50,000.

Generous match funding from Howden, Lloyds Bank and Lloyd & Whyte doubled the impact of key events, turning every pound raised into vital support for families across Swansea Bay.

“Families who felt unseen have found confidence”

Faith in Families CEO Cherrie Bija said the partnership has been life‑changing:

“This partnership has shown exactly what can happen when a business community chooses to stand with children who need support the most. Families who felt overwhelmed have found stability. Children who felt unseen have found confidence and connection.”

She added:

“The need in Swansea Bay is rising, and partnerships like this are vital. We cannot thank Swansea Bay Business Club enough for their commitment.”

Business leaders step up

Behind the fundraising drive was Club President Amy Seppman, Marketing Director at JCP Solicitors.

“Choosing Faith in Families was one of the easiest decisions I ever made,” she said. “The stories I heard and the impact I saw reinforced to me why community matters.

“Our members rose to every challenge with generosity and spirit. This partnership has shown that when we support local families, we strengthen the whole region.”

Where the money goes

The £54,640 raised will fund Faith in Families’ Community Cwtches and Multibank, providing hot meals, parent and toddler groups, therapies, and essentials like warm clothes, school uniforms and bedding. It will also support the Brighter Futures Project, offering one‑to‑one interventions for children coping with trauma and strong emotions.

Call for more businesses to join in

Faith in Families is now urging other companies to carry the momentum forward into 2026 and beyond, through employee fundraising, volunteering, sponsorships and CSR partnerships.

“When businesses back their community, they transform it,” said Cherrie Bija.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

New and expanded Cwtch Mawr Multibank opens in Swansea
Faith in Families launches a bigger warehouse hub in Swansea Vale to support thousands more families.

Local Multibank helping 120,000 people a year gets £30k boost
Essential items like clothes, bedding and furniture reach families in need thanks to new funding.

Virgin Media O2 donates smartphones and free data to Swansea’s Multibank
Hundreds of devices handed over to help families stay connected during tough times.

Former Prime Minister launches charity scheme in Swansea
Gordon Brown backs Faith in Families’ Multibank, donating surplus Amazon goods to families in poverty.

#AmySeppman #Business #businessSupport #CarTen #Charity #CherrieBija #CommunityCwtch #FaithInFamilies #HelpToGrow #Howden #JCPSolicitors #LloydWhyte #LloydsBank #Multibank #networking #smallBusiness #SouthWestWales #Swansea #SwanseaBayBusinessClub

Big tech boost as Amazon‑owned Veeqo opens new Swansea HQ at 71/72 Kingsway

Landmark opening in the city centre

The new HQ was officially opened on Friday 5 December, with Pension Minister and Swansea West MP Torsten Bell cutting the ribbon alongside civic leaders and Veeqo staff.

Bell described Veeqo as “a true Welsh success story” and said the company’s commitment to apprentices and interns showed how global investment could deliver for local communities.

The building, developed by Swansea Council and part‑funded by the Swansea Bay City Deal, is designed to attract tech, digital and creative companies. Veeqo is now one of its anchor tenants.

From start‑up to global player

Founded in Swansea in 2013 by Matt Warren, Veeqo provides free shipping and inventory management software used by more than 100,000 businesses worldwide.

Since being acquired by Amazon in 2021, the company has trebled its workforce to more than 200, with half now based at the new Kingsway site.

Warren told Swansea Bay News the expanded office “enables us to continue building services which make it easier for entrepreneurs and businesses to sell around the world,” adding that he was proud to see highly skilled tech jobs created in Wales.

Amazon’s investment

Amazon has already invested £60 million in Swansea since 2022 and says it will commit a further £100 million through to 2032, taking total investment past £150 million.

John Boumphrey, UK Country Manager at Amazon, said the new HQ represented “our long‑term commitment to Wales” and pointed to Veeqo’s growth from 60 to over 200 staff as evidence of Welsh talent and ambition.

Civic and government reaction

Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy Rebecca Evans MS said the expansion “creates high‑quality jobs and opportunities for our young people, whilst supporting businesses across Wales and beyond.”

Swansea Council Leader Cllr Rob Stewart called the HQ “tremendous news for Swansea,” describing Veeqo as “a business born here, grown here, and now thriving internationally under Amazon.” He said the Kingsway development could eventually house up to 600 workers, boosting footfall and supporting city centre traders.

Wider impact

The Kingsway scheme is part of a wider push to attract tech and creative industries to Swansea. Beyond jobs and investment, Veeqo and Amazon also support local initiatives including coding workshops, women’s tech meetups, and the Cwtch Mawr Multibank in Swansea, which has provided more than 800,000 products to families in need.

https://youtu.be/VkfCyQgb6HA

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Amazon invests £60m in Swansea Development Centre
Earlier investment laid the groundwork for Veeqo’s new headquarters at Kingsway.

Swansea Council unveils Kingsway tech hub
The 71/72 Kingsway scheme aims to attract digital and creative industries to the city centre.

The future of tech in Swansea City Deal
How regional investment is reshaping Swansea’s role in the UK’s digital economy.

#7172Kingsway #Amazon #Business #CherrieBija #CllrRobStewart #FaithInFamilies #Kingsway #MattWarren #Swansea #Technology #TorstenBell #Veeqo

‘One in four Swansea kids in poverty’ – new plan promises biggest cut in decades

Local families count the cost

The Prime Minister launched the plan in South Wales alongside the First Minister, promising measures to boost family incomes and cut essential costs. Ministers say 550,000 children across the UK will be lifted out of poverty by 2030, including 69,000 in Wales.

In Swansea West alone, almost 3,000 children are expected to benefit from the removal of the two‑child cap. Official figures show more than a quarter of children in the constituency are currently living in poverty.

Torsten Bell, MP for Swansea West, said:

“One in four children in Swansea West are now living in poverty, blighting their childhoods and limiting their potential. The Conservatives claimed the two‑child limit was to punish irresponsible parents, but all it actually did was punish children. I’m proud to be part of a government that is tackling child poverty, boosting wages and cutting energy bills for all of us.”

Leaders welcome change, charities urge caution

Council leaders say they have long called for the cap to be scrapped.

Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council, said:

“We’ve seen first‑hand the impact the Tory two‑child benefit cap has had on children living in Swansea. For many years now, the Labour‑run council in Swansea has been calling for UK Governments to scrap the cap and I’m really pleased to see this Labour Government has listened. This will make a huge difference to Swansea families, lifting children out of poverty and giving them the best possible start in life.”

Charities working with families in Swansea say the announcement is welcome but stress that poverty levels remain at historic highs.

Cherrie Bija, CEO of Faith in Families, said:

“We see every day how poverty leaves children cold, hungry and carrying worries no child should bear. Lifting the two‑child cap will give families in Wales some breathing space and real hope. If we want Wales to be a great place to grow up, we must all stand beside every child and advocate for them. This is only the beginning.”

Faith in Families also runs the Swansea Multibank, which has been described as a “major step forward in the fight against poverty in South Wales”. The project redistributes surplus goods from businesses to families in need, providing essentials from cleaning products to furniture.

In earlier coverage, Cherrie Bija said:

“The Multibank is about dignity as well as support. Families shouldn’t have to choose between heating their homes and buying the basics. By working with partners we’re making sure children don’t go without.”

Wider measures

The UK Government says the wider strategy will also deliver £150 off energy bills through the Warm Home Discount, pay rises for up to 160,000 of Wales’s lowest earners via increases to the National Living Wage, and above‑inflation rises to the Universal Credit Standard Allowance. Ministers argue these measures will tackle the root causes of poverty by cutting costs and boosting incomes.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the plan as a “moral mission” to ensure every child has the best possible start in life.

Keir Starmer said:

“Every child deserves the best possible start in life, with their future no longer determined by the circumstances of their birth. Yet too many children are growing up in poverty, held back from getting on in life, and too many families are struggling without the basics: a secure home, warm meals, and the support they need to make ends meet.”

First Minister Eluned Morgan said Welsh Government policies such as free school meals and childcare expansion would complement the UK‑wide measures.

Eluned Morgan said:

“While the Welsh Government is using every tool available to us in Wales, it’s vital our two governments work together to make real, lasting change. That’s why our two Governments are working together to do all we can to create opportunities for every community.”

The Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens, added:

“Tackling child poverty is not just the right thing to do, it’s an investment in Wales’s future. There is a direct link between child poverty and poor educational outcomes and future unemployment – we cannot afford to waste a generation’s potential.”

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Llanelli retail staff report high levels of abuse
Usdaw’s Freedom from Fear campaign highlights abuse faced by shop workers and calls for stronger protections.

Free buses return to Swansea for Christmas
Families and shoppers can travel across the city at no cost on selected dates this month.

Festive spirit set to shine as Together at Christmas returns to Brangwyn Hall
Swansea’s annual community event offers free meals, entertainment and support services on 9 December.

#CherrieBija #CllrRobStewart #ElunedMorganMS #FaithInFamilies #JoStevensMP #KierStarmer #poverty #PrimeMinister #Swansea #SwanseaWest #UKGovernment