At this time of year, everything seems to come to life again. It seems that the calm of the summer holidays has become a long and distant memory to many as we get back on the treadmill of working life.

But I’ve been encouraged in recent days by a number of things I’m reading and hearing about. I attended Fast Growth 50 on Friday, which was yet another annual shot in the arm for celebrating entrepreneurship and success.

And as I spend time visiting IoD members across Newport and East Wales, they are saying that business is getting better and that deals are being done. Admiral’s new office in Newport city centre is a massive shot in the arm and just what Newport needs. Good news is always to be welcomed and underpins the FTSE 100’s commitment to Wales and the Welsh economy and to Newport in general.

Admiral Chief Executive Henry Englehardt is our current IoD in Wales Chairman’s Award Winner of the year. This new office is a catalyst and a confidence booster and it’s real investment and real jobs. Any commitment to the future has got to be welcomed.

It’s also great to see that businesses are beginning to hire again with a growing demand in the manufacturing sector. I have been following with great interest Business Minister Edwina Hart’s plans for her City Region Project. As reported last week, she is engaging with both the Institute of Directors and the CBI, who will be contributing to the process and the debate and

we are looking forward to playing our parts.

This project has got to be good news and provides massive benefits for businesses as well as for tourism and there are many other opportunities the City Region Development Project could bring to the economy.

Since we’ve started the new term, it has been great to hear from a high number of members and businesses telling us that they have recorded the company’s busiest month in years and they are now entering a new term with renewed vigour and renewed confidence in business out there. As well as benefitting their own businesses, this in turn benefits the wider economy of Wales.

Usually, it is an end of term report but with this change in circumstances, it’s quite interesting to have a report at the beginning of a term to emphasise that there is lots of good news, lots to celebrate and still lots to do.