The Finance Gap: Who's Being Left Behind?

The Finance Gap: Who's Being Left Behind?

Author: Business News Wales November 14, 2025 Duration: 45:19

Female founders, ethnic minority-led businesses and founders who may have encountered challenging circumstances continue to face significant barriers when it comes to accessing finance.

Host Gemma Casey is joined by Jill Jones of Women Angels of Wales, Akmal Hanuk of Assadaqaat Community Finance and Emma Musgrave of Purple Shoots to discuss the organisations working to support these businesses, and why inclusive finance is not just a social priority but also an economic opportunity.


Tune into Finance and Investment Wales for a grounded look at how money moves and grows within the distinct communities of Wales. Produced by Business News Wales, this podcast goes beyond dry market reports to examine the real-world intersections of capital, culture, and local ambition. Each conversation delves into the strategies and stories shaping the region's economic future, from the challenges and triumphs of Welsh startups seeking investment to the broader societal impacts of financial decisions. You'll hear directly from entrepreneurs, investors, analysts, and community leaders who are actively building the landscape. The discussions naturally weave through topics of business development, investment opportunities, and the unique cultural fabric that influences everything in Wales. This isn't just a numbers game; it's about understanding the people and places behind the portfolios. For anyone curious about the engines of the Welsh economy or considering their own role within it, this series offers essential, on-the-ground perspective. Discover the human narratives driving finance in a nation with its own dynamic identity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 8

Finance and Investment Wales
Podcast Episodes
Succession Planning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:04
Succession planning is a crucial step for business continuity, ensuring that companies remain stable, sustainable and competitive when leadership transitions occur. In this episode Carwyn Jones is joined by Frank Holmes…
Wales Week London; Economic Outlook; and Cryptocurrency [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:22
Host Carwyn Jones is joined by Sarah Kocianski of FinTech Wales, Haydn Thomas of Cornerstone Finance Group and Richard Theo of Zero to discuss business confidence in the current economic climate; the importance of raisin…
The Outlook for 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:55
Host Carwyn Jones is joined by Prof Arman Eshraghi of Cardiff Business School; Sara Boltman, Founder and CEO of Butterfly Data; and Phil Sampson, Head of Deals Wales with PwC, to discuss the key market conditions likely…
Wales’ Emerging Fintech Sector [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:11
Wales has built itself a strong reputation as a base for emerging and growing fintechs. How does it capitalise on this and ensure it continues to provide everything the sector needs to thrive? Host Carwyn Jones is joined…
Episode 2: Raising Growth Finance for Scaling Businesses in Wales [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:48
Host Carwyn Jones discusses the challenges of raising growth finance for scaling businesses in Wales with Haydn Thomas, CEO of Cornerstone Finance Group; Leanna Davies, Portfolio Development Manager at Development Bank o…
Overview of the Financial Services Sector in Wales [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:11
In our inaugural episode of Finance and Investment Wales, join Business News Wales editor Gemma Casey as she delves into the current and future potential of the financial services sector in Wales. Topics include the stre…
Finance and Investment Wales: Show Teaser [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07
Just a taste of our upcoming inaugural State of the Sector episode. Join us monthly for more insightful deep-dives into the Finance and Investment sector in Wales.