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Wales

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Welcome to IoD Wales

"Being a member of the IoD is one of the best things you could do as a leader of an organisation. It will open up opportunities for you to connect with new like-minded people, develop yourself as an individual and provide the opportunity to influence stakeholders.

It is an exciting time to be part of the IoD in Wales. In 2021 we have redefined our offer to our members by creating two new branches in South West and Mid Wales. They join our existing branches in North and South Wales. Four new branch chairs have been appointed and we are assembling committees of ambassadors for each branch. By doing this we are getting closer to our members and our goal is to build a more diverse and inclusive community of directors from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and cultures, and with a broader range of sector experience. A more diverse membership will help us unlock the innovative thinking needed to play our part in boosting regional growth.

As we emerge from the pandemic, IoD Wales is leading from the front in conversations with the Welsh and UK Governments about how we can support Welsh businesses and organisations. We have a voice into each of the regional growth deals and our branches are working hard to strengthen economic partnerships in each area.

We continue to work with universities across Wales and offer student internships and membership as well as access to the coveted Tomorrows Director programme.

The pandemic is fundamentally reshaping many parts of the economy and changes to work/ life patterns are accelerating. Our professional development training equips directors with the skills, knowledge and mindset needed to stay on the front foot and take advantage of change. All courses are designed and delivered by directors for directors and available in person and online.

Whether you are a seasoned director or starting out, we are here to support you and your organisation build back better."

- Richard Selby, Wales Chair

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About North Wales branch

The North Wales branch has around 70 members. It's the aim of the volunteer committee and IoD staff to support local members and organise insightful and valuable business events in the area.

"It is great that regional IoD branches have been re-established, and I know that my counterparts are as excited as I am about the opportunity that lies ahead for IoD Wales. My aim is to re-energise activity in our region across the IoDs key themes of: Connect, Develop, and Influence, and over recent weeks my fellow Ambassadors and I have been contacting members to seek input to how best to develop the North Wales branch for individual and collective benefit. My fellow Ambassadors are:

• Ian Barwick - MD, Menai Innovations Ltd.

• Mike Caulfield - MD, Caulmert Ltd.

• Helen Watson - Partner, Aaron & Partners

• Ffrancon Williams - MD, Adra Ltd.

I am certain that it is only by connecting as IoD members that we can support each other and derive value from being a member of the IoD, as well as influence important regional matters such as delivery of Growth Deal priorities and steering a course towards recovery from the pandemic. The IoD also has a great deal to contribute towards the development of Directors, not only via in person and online training opportunities, but by bringing together like-minded individuals to learn from each other peer to peer.

If you would like to be more involved, please do get in touch."

- David Roberts, North Wales Branch Chair

About the Branch Chair: David Roberts

"Prior to returning to my family roots in North Wales in 2015, I had a successful career as an HR business leader working in the automotive, electronics and then natural resources sectors, both domestically and internationally. This included ten years as the HR Director of Wood Mackenzie, during a period of unprecedented growth and commercial success.

I now run The Alternative Board (TAB) in North Wales, providing executive coaching, peer-to-peer support, and advisory services to SME business owners across a wide range of sectors, so I very much understand the challenges currently being faced by such businesses. Apart from my new role as Chair of the North Wales IoD branch, I chair the Regional Skills Partnership and sit on the North Wales & Mersey Dee Business Council. I am also a Non-Executive Director for a geological services business headquartered locally. "

chair.northwales@iod.net

About South Wales branch

The South Wales branch has around 200 members and we operate an Ambassador scheme whereby members take responsibility for geographic and business areas. Information and market intelligence is directed into the main IoD Wales Office.

About the Branch Chair: Damian Bridgeman

Damian Bridgeman

Damian has been published both in medical journals and by the BBC and has recently had an International No1 Bestselling book called, “I’m Not A Spaz! I’m Safe!”. Damian is also a qualified Executive Business Coach and is CEO of Executive Coaching 365.

He is also a government advisor on issues of Health, Social Care and Disability and is a Non-Executive Director of Social Care Wales. He has been instrumental in changing UK Law on Social Care and Societal Issues, he also helped to make Sepsis recognition mandatory in the training of Domiciliary Carers and PAs in Wales. Damian has also worked closely with Google, Apple, Microsoft, Nasdaq and Text Help to re-sculpt the digital landscape and make it more accessible for all. Damian is an experienced and seasoned public speaker. In every engagement Damian takes on, he is looking to empower, inspire and light a spark within every person that he comes into contact with, because Damian says, “Every contact counts and it could be that spark that changes the world, so be inspiring!”.

chair.southwales@iod.net

About Mid Wales branch

"Whether Members live, work or commute in the Mid Wales region, our geography is home to great talent, experience and aspiration. We are home to innovative thinkers and international players. Our network is both local and global. With Membership from across Public, Private and Third sectors, the experiences of our member's span industries and cross borders.

In Mid Wales, our membership is drawn from across Ceredigion, Powys and Monmouthshire. Being a member in Mid Wales does not limit you from benefiting from or attending other Wales or UK initiatives but we look to ensure that you (as part of our region) are represented and that you have a chance to contribute. We look to provide the opportunity for our Membership to connect, develop and influence as Directors and tomorrows Leaders."

- Gareth Jarman, Mid Wales Branch Chair

About the Branch Chair: Gareth Jarman

Gareth Jarman

Gareth Jarman is an internationally experienced HR Director and Consultant. With 25 years' experience in both the Armed Forces and Industry, Gareth has spent much of his career working internationally. Having held Senior HR Leadership positions in well-known Multinationals, he is now the Founder and Director of Gentium International, a growing International HR and Business Consultancy. Gareth is also a Non-Executive Director of Flybe.

"I have been privileged during my career to have worked with some great companies (of all sizes) and superb colleagues (of all backgrounds). This has enabled me to learn and develop insight, first-hand. More importantly it has provided me with perspective and the chance to learn from others.

I am a strong believer that irrespective of whether you are the Director of a Company of one, or in a Leadership role within a larger institution, the principles of good governance and Leadership remain the same - they are core values embodied in how someone chooses to work. The IoD encapsulates this ethos and creates an environment for Directors (or Future Directors) to Develop, Connect and Influence.

I believe that continuous learning and strong principles enable Individuals, Directors, Companies, Governments and Economies to develop and shape a better future. I further believe that Directors should continuously aspire to be the best they can be and not limit their, or their businesses, growth and potential to innovate. We are privileged in Mid Wales to not only live in a beautiful part of the world, but the Region also houses significant Talent, potential and innovative capability. Now more than ever our members have a chance to personally influence how we want the future to look through our contribution."

chair.midwales@iod.net

South West Wales branch

"Here in South West Wales, I want to ensure that we provide cohesive and consistent support to all our members, across the whole of our region and covering the full spectrum of business organisations from start-ups and scale ups to private and public sector enterprises. Focussing on the IoD’s core themes of Connect, Develop and Influence, I want to ensure that we bring together a strong, representative network of business leaders across our region, that we foster good governance and responsible business practices, that we enable you to get the best possible value and benefits from your membership and that we provide a strong voice for our region as Wales and the UK enters the post-pandemic recovery period.

I am joined in this work in the South West of Wales by our 3 great ambassadors - Marianne Pettifor, Julie Grabham and Clare Bugler."

- Deb Bowen Rees, South West Wales Branch Chair

About the Branch Chair: Deb Bowen Rees

Deb Bowen rees637630831009338168

After a successful career and a number of senior positions in the Royal Air Force, Deb joined Cardiff Airport in 2012 as Operations Director before stepping up to Managing Director in 2014. She was appointed as CEO of the Welsh Government Airport in 2017 and was responsible for leading the Airport through a period of transformational change. She stepped down as CEO in August 2020 and from the Board of Directors in September 2020, to pursue a non-executive career. As well as Chair of the South West Branch of the IoD, Deb is also a non Executive Director of Dwr Cymru Welsh Water and the Port of Milford Haven and a Board member and Trustee of Hijinx Theatre Company.

"I was really honoured to be appointed as Chair the branch here in South West Wales (which overlays the Swansea Bay City Deal Region) and am very much looking forward to working with the other Chairs – David Roberts in North Wales, Gareth Jarman in Mid Wales and Damian Bridgeman in South Wales – in support of Richard Selby, our national Chair in Wales.

This is a really exciting time for the IoD and now that the team is fully established in Wales, we are building some real momentum behind our efforts to further engage with our members and to build a bigger and stronger network of members and ambassadors that will not only reinforce the fellowship of the IoD, but will give us a greater opportunity to influence and help shape Wales as we move into the recovery phase of the pandemic that has affected us all so profoundly over the past 12 months."

chair.southwestwales@iod.net

Policy in Wales

Historically, policy has been dealt with at the IoD headquarters in Pall Mall, and that remains the case for issues where the UK has the lead. But an increasing number of policy issues of relevance to business are determined in Cardiff Bay, not Westminster. Support for business, infrastructure investment, planning, education, skills, business rates and environmental regulation are among those activities devolved to the Welsh government.

Decisions taken in Cardiff have a direct impact on business in Wales and the competitiveness of the Welsh economy. In recognition of this, IoD Wales attaches great importance to engaging with the government to influence policies in ways that will assist rather than hinder growth, including playing a prominent role in the Council for Economic Renewal.

To maximise the returns on our resources, we must engage selectively. Regular priorities in our dealings with the Welsh government include modernising and enhancing infrastructure, providing a workforce fit for the 21st century, and increasing the role of the private sector in delivering public services. It is a reflection of IoD Wales’s standing in Cardiff that we are asked to lead on these issues.

We also respond where possible to Welsh (or indeed UK) government consultations, always with members' interests at heart.