Minister for Economy, Vaughan Gething has reappointed the Members of the Welsh Industrial Development Advisory Board (WIDAB) for a further 3 year term beginning 1 November 2022.
Originally established under the Welsh Development Agency Act 1975, the Welsh Industrial Development Advisory Board (WIDAB) provides advice to the Minister for Economy on issues relating to the Welsh economy and assists the Welsh Government in its ambition to drive sustainable and inclusive growth across the regions of Wales through the Economic Action Plan. Central to WIDAB’s role is providing advice on individual projects requesting support of over £1 million from the relevant schemes within the Economy Futures Fund.
The reappointed board members are:
- Alun Jones
- Ben Pritchard
- Mark Rhydderch-Roberts
- Professor Nigel Morgan
- Sioned Edwards
The Chair of the board Michael Macphail, who was reappointed for a further 3 year term in July 2022, will lead the proceedings of board meetings and help fellow board members to reach a consensus so that suitable recommendations can be made to the Minister.
The current level of remuneration is £198 per day for each board member for an average commitment of one day a month. Meetings are held on a monthly basis.
The reappointments have been made in accordance with the governance code on public appointments. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.
None of the members have declared any political activity in the last five years apart from Sioned Edwards as a Member of the Anglesey Enterprise Zone Advisory Board and as a member of Llanfair Mathafarn Eithaf Community Council. None of the members hold any other ministerial appointments.
The reappointed WIDAB Board members:
Alun Jones
Alun Jones has worked within the economic development sector for 30 years. He was appointed as an executive director with Menter a Busnes in 1997 and was the Group’s Chief Executive from September 2003 to December 2022.
Ben Pritchard
Ben Pritchard leads Arup’s work in Wales with over 20 years’ experience supporting public and private sector clients. He has led projects across the UK, New Zealand and Australia with a particular focus on securing funding and delivery for transport and development related projects.
Mark Rhydderch-Roberts
Mark Rhydderch-Roberts is a former Investment Banker who has held senior positions at a number of Global Investment Banks including UBS, Lehman Brothers, Schroders and Societe Generale. He is currently a Non-Executive Director of the International Conference Centre Wales, Treasurer and Non-Executive Director of Glamorgan County Cricket Club and an Executive Director of Pontypridd RFC.
Professor Nigel Morgan
Professor Nigel Morgan is Professor of Social Sustainability at the University of Surrey, having held professorial titles in several universities in the UK and Europe, including at Swansea University and Cardiff Met.
Sioned Edwards
Sioned Edwards is an ex corporate banker who currently assists businesses with their strategic development.