Rubicon Facilities Management win top prize at 2025 A&B Cymru Awards
Rubicon Facilities Management win top prize at 2025 A&B Cymru Awards
The 2025 Arts & Business Cymru Awards took centre stage at ICC Wales on Thursday, celebrating three decades of excellence in partnerships between the private sector and the arts.
Sponsored this year by Hern & Crabtree, Cardiff’s longest-established independent estate agents, the prestigious black-tie event saw 19 businesses and their arts partners recognised for their innovative collaborations across Wales. The evening was hosted by broadcasters Caryl Parry Jones and Huw Stephens, and featured ten award categories judged by panels of arts, business, and sponsorship experts.
Rubicon Facilities Management emerged as the night’s standout winner, claiming Business of the Year and the Arts, Business & Health Award for its impactful and ethical partnership with Rubicon Dance. The collaboration was recognised for making a tangible difference to community health and well-being through inclusive dance initiatives.
“This partnership exemplifies the social value that can be created when business and the arts work hand in hand,” said the judges.
Other major winners included:
- Port of Milford Haven, which won the Arts, Business & the Community award (sponsored by Wales & West Utilities) for its wide-reaching partnership with Torch Theatre, enriching the cultural life of the local area.
- First Choice Housing Association received the Arts, Business & Diversity award (sponsored by Sony) for its work with Gig Buddies Cymru, a programme that pairs neurodivergent adults and those with learning disabilities with volunteer companions to enjoy arts events together.
- Grant Stephens Family Law was recognised in the Arts, Business & Employees category for its staff development programme delivered in collaboration with Act Now Creative Training.
- Cartrefi Conwy won the Arts, Business & the Environment award (sponsored by Bluestone Wales and The Waterloo Foundation) for commissioning sculptor Benjamin C Dearnley to create sustainable community statues.
The Robert Maskrey Award for Arts Philanthropy was presented to Joseph Boughey for his support of Ruthin Craft Centre and Gladstone’s Library, including the creation of a memorial fund and scholarship in honour of his late wife, Sara.
Jonathan Chitty, Finance Director at Port of Milford Haven, was named Adviser of the Year for his contributions as a trustee of SPAN Arts, recognised under a category sponsored by Grant Stephens Family Law.
The Hodge Foundation Arts Award, one of the evening’s most prestigious accolades, was awarded to Rubicon Dance for its success in forging strong business partnerships.
The Nicola Heywood Thomas Arts Prize, a cash award honouring the late broadcaster’s legacy, was presented to the North Wales International Music Festival for its extensive outreach and dedication to bringing high-quality performance to communities across the region.
The bespoke trophies, crafted by West Wales-based artist Angharad Pearce Jones from the last sheet of virgin Welsh steel produced by Tata Steel’s Port Talbot blast furnace, added a unique cultural touch to the evening. Presenters included well-known Welsh personalities such as Rakie Ayola, Colin Jackson, Jamie Baulch, and Anna Ryder Richardson.
Entertainment was provided by the high-energy Drum Waiters and classical comedy ensemble Graffiti Classics.
In addition to Hern & Crabtree, the event was supported by sponsors and partners including the University of South Wales (Entertainment Sponsor), Orchard (Media Partner), Ubiquity (Design Partner), Park Plaza Cardiff (Hotel Partner), and FlightLink Wales and Intercity Removals (Transport Partners). Drinks were supplied by Barti, Penderyn Distillery, and Tŷ Nant.
