With geopolitical developments continuing to influence economic conditions and a Senedd election approaching in May, how best can businesses in Wales build resilience while still pursuing growth?

Host Gemma Casey is joined by Phil Jones, Chief Executive of Business in Focus, Stephen Burkitt-Harrington, Co-founder of Production 78 and John Hurst, Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses Wales to discuss decision-making during pre- and post-election periods and the support available to help Welsh businesses protect their foundations while continuing to grow.

In May 2026 Wales will vote in the Senedd election, with the polls currently indicating that the result could see the most significant shift in power since devolution began. Host Gemma Casey is joined by Phil Jones, CEO, Business in Focus, Richard Selby, Managing Director, ProSteel Engineering and IoD Wales Chair, and Huw Thomas, Business Correspondent at BBC Wales to consider the impact of Senedd reform and what the SME community wants to hear from political parties in the run-up to polling day as well as from an incoming government.

Economic growth is a key priority for governments in Wales and Westminster, and the UK Government’s recently-released plan for small and medium sized businesses says that accelerating SME growth by just 1 percentage point a year could deliver £320 billion to the UK economy by 2030.

Host Gemma Casey is joined by Phil Jones, CEO of Business in Focus, David Stephens, Chair of Business in Focus and Jessica Shipman, Chair of NatWest Cymru Regional Board, to discuss the support needed to help Welsh entrepreneurs, startups and scaleups to thrive, and how key organisations are evolving to provide crucial support.