Vaughan Gething MS Minister for Economy

Vaughan was born in Zambia and brought up in Dorset. He was educated at Aberystwyth and Cardiff universities.  He has one son with his wife,  Michelle and is a largely retired cricketer who is also  a fan of both rugby and football.

Vaughan was a solicitor and former partner at Thompsons. He is a member of the GMB, UNISON and Unite unions, and was the youngest ever President of the Wales TUC. He has previously served as a county councillor, school governor and community service volunteer – supporting and caring for a student with cerebral palsy. Vaughan is also a former president of NUS Wales.

Between 1999 and 2001, Vaughan worked as a researcher to former AMs Val Feld and Lorraine Barrett and between 2001 and 2003, was the chair of Right to Vote – a cross-party project to encourage greater participation from black minority ethnic communities in Welsh public life. He is also a current member of the Co-operative Party.

Vaughan has held the following roles in government, before taking up his current role as Minister for the Economy in May 2021:

• Cabinet Secretary/Minister for Health and Social Services May 2016 to May 2021
• Deputy Minister for Health September 2014 to May 2016
• Deputy Minister for Tackling Poverty June 2013 to September 2014

• Support and advice to assist the establishment, growth or development of business (including export support)
• Support for Inward Investment
• International Trade policy, including coordination of matters relating to the UK/EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement
• Entrepreneurship, enterprise and business information
• Development Bank of Wales
• Community Bank
• Economic Advisory Panels
• Council for Economic Development and Social Partnership Strategy Group
• Promotion of Wales as a location for Business and Investment
• Ports policy, including freeports
• Cardiff and Swansea Bay City Deals
• Mid Wales and North Wales Growth Deals
• Management of Welsh Government owned property assets relating to economic development
• Business skills and business development services
• Careers Policy and the sponsorship of Careers Choices Dewis Gyrfa (CCDG)
• Apprenticeship policy and delivery
• Youth and Adult employability policy and delivery
• Work-based learning providers
• Sector skills
• Workforce skills development
• Migration
• Remote working
• European programmes relating to skills and employment
• Regional Skills Partnership
• National Occupation Standards
• Regulatory Framework for responsible business practices, growth and competitiveness
• Foundational Economy
• Social Enterprise and the social economy
• Co-operative economy
• Science: development of science policy, including day to day liaison with the Chief Scientific Adviser for Wales and the National Science Academy
• Life Sciences
• Research and Innovation, including research and development, knowledge transfer and commercialisation; maximising research and innovation incomes; and Research Centres of Excellence
• Digital connectivity infrastructure, including Public Sector Broadband Aggregation, fast broadband and mobile
• Cross Government Digital and Data Policy & Strategy
• Major events
• Culture, creativity and the arts, including Creative Wales
• Broadcasting Policy
• Sponsorship and remit of the Arts Council of Wales
• Tourism in and to Wales
• Hospitality
• The historic environment in Wales
• CADW and the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments
• National Museums and Galleries of Wales
• Local museums and collections
• National Library of Wales
• Non-devolved cultural property legislation and tax relief schemes
• Development on a National Archive for Wales
• National Botanic Garden of Wales 
• Elite Sport
• Community sport, physical activity and active recreation in Wales, including sponsorship of the Sports Council for Wales
• The Valleys Taskforce and Programme
• Cross-cutting EU matters
• 2014-2020 EU Structural Funds
• Shared Prosperity Fund / Community Renewal Fund
• Government Chief Whip (Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, and Chief Whip)