Cwmni Da

With the Development Bank’s help, we are rooting Cwmni Da even more firmly in Caernarfon so the company can continue to thrive and prosper, providing good, well-paid jobs and contributing to the local economy.

Dylan Huws, Co-founder, Cwmni Da

Fifty jobs were safeguarded at one of Wales’ leading TV production companies after ownership was transferred to its employees, following support from the Development Bank of Wales.

Caernarfon-based Cwmni Da, founded in 1996, is an important producer with a long track record in making factual, entertainment, children’s and drama programmes, mostly in the Welsh language for S4C.

The Development Bank helped to secure the future of Cwmni Da with a £750,000 investment in early 2019, giving staff ownership of the production company through an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT)

The move to become an EOT was supported by the Wales Co-Operative Centre, who provided advice and governance support to the new trust. Since then, the production company has taken on extra four members of full-time staff.

The trust is believed to be the first of its kind in the British broadcasting industry. The Wales Co-operative centre can help businesses in Wales transition to employee ownership.

If you’re looking to transition to employee ownership, the Wales Co-operative Centre has a team of specialist advisors who can manage the whole process for you.