IoD Wales confirms appointment of two new Chairs

Seasoned entrepreneur Damian Bridgeman will lead the newly formed South Wales branch; working with members to promote collaborative working and enhance performance. A man with a social mission, Damian runs a successful coaching company specialising in executive coaching for government leaders, decision makers and civil servants.

Damian is a board member for Social Care Wales and also runs a company that helps people with disabilities and their families to hire disability equipment and is an investor in the health-tech sector. His autobiography “I’m Not a Spaz! I’m Safe!” has been No1 on Amazon UK and Top 10 in the USA. He is a fellow of the Institute of Leadership and Management and is recognised by the European Coaching and Mentoring Council as a Master Coach.

Damian Bridgeman said: “Better Directors make better businesses. Better businesses make a better economy. A better economy makes a better society. That’s why the work of the IoD is so important and why I am so pleased to have the opportunity to help shape how we will work with our members; supporting business recovery and growth at a local level as we emerge from this pandemic.”

Mold based David Roberts will Chair the new North Wales regional branch of IoD Wales. As Founder and Director of The Alternative Board – North Wales (TAB), he works with a wide range of local SME business owners. He is an ILM level 7 certified executive coach.

David is known for his role as an HR business leader working in the automotive, electronics and then oil and gas sectors. This included ten years as a Director of a fast growth, high performing SME that grew to employ 950 staff across 25 locations globally with a £1.2b enterprise value. David is a Fellow of the CIPD and Fellow of the Institute of Leadership & Management. He sits on the North Wales Business Council on behalf of the IoD, and is the Chair of the Regional Skills Partnership tasked with ensuring skills provision in North Wales meets business needs.

David Roberts said: “As a long-standing member and ambassador of the IoD, I have experienced first-hand how the team provide an effective voice to represent the interests of members to key opinion-formers at the highest levels.

“Business needs a voice and I am determined that the needs and views of the North Wales business community are heard in Cardiff Bay and Westminster; helping to ensure support is targeted where it is most needed and that policy is shaped to encourage and nurture economic growth. I’m very much looking forward to working with Robert Lloyd Griffiths as National Director to do what’s right for Wales and Welsh businesses.”

Founded in 1903, the Institute of Directors (IoD) obtained a Royal Charter in 1906 and now has approximately 25,000 members including CEOs of large corporations as well as entrepreneurial directors of start-up companies. Membership includes directors from right across the business spectrum – from media to manufacturing, professional services to the public and voluntary sectors. Members

Richard Selby, Chair of the IoD in Wales commented: “With a remit to connect, develop and influence, we are getting right to the heart of what matters to business owners and directors at a local level with the creation of regional branches. This new model will place greater emphasis on local needs and ensure better collaboration as we recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I know that both Damian and David will have the full support of Robert Lloyd Griffiths as our National Director and the excellent team at IoD Wales who play such an integral part in delivering real value for our members. I welcome Damian and David to the team and look forward to working with them both.”