The key economic challenges and investment opportunities facing Neath Port Talbot are to be presented to over 200 government ministers, senior officials and industry stakeholders through a new quarterly intelligence report produced by INFORM Wales, a Business News Wales initiative.
The report is the first publication from a new programme designed to strengthen the flow of evidence and insight between business, industry and government, ensuring that the experiences of those directly involved in the Welsh economy can help inform future policy and investment decisions.
The Neath Port Talbot report draws on the inaugural INFORM Editorial Board, held on 18 September 2026, which brought together 12 senior figures representing business, industry, education, economic development and government.
The discussion examined some of the most pressing issues affecting the region’s economic future, including energy and electricity grid capacity, the availability of suitable industrial premises, investment coordination, skills, innovation and the challenge of translating major economic opportunities into tangible benefits for local communities.
A central theme was the need for greater coordination between the organisations responsible for supporting investment and economic development. While Neath Port Talbot has considerable industrial assets and emerging opportunities, concerns were identified around how effectively the region’s institutions work together to support businesses, remove barriers and deliver projects.
The findings have now been developed into two publications. A shorter policy-focused report has been produced specifically for ministers, senior civil servants and government stakeholders, highlighting the principal economic challenges, emerging opportunities and areas where further consideration or intervention may be required.
A more comprehensive evidence report has also been prepared, providing greater detail on the issues explored, the underlying economic challenges and the wider implications for Neath Port Talbot’s future development. The full report is available to download through the Business News Wales website.
Both publications form part of a quarterly reporting programme intended to provide government with a continuing source of independent, evidence-led intelligence from across the Neath Port Talbot region.
The first Editorial Board brought together Stephen Kinnock MP, Member of Parliament for Aberafan Maesteg; Simon Brennan of Neath Port Talbot Council; Professor Paul Boyle, Professor Dave Worsley and Professor Ian Mabbett of Swansea University; Chris Martin of Celtic Freeport; Tim Rutter of Tata Steel UK; Andrew Johnston of the Global Centre of Rail Excellence; Gemma Charnock of NPTC Group of Colleges; Alison Orrells of The Safety Letterbox Company; Jan Bell of Winfield Energy UK; and Steve Rees of Andrew Scott.
The session opened with a video message from Welsh Government Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, Adam Price, who welcomed the initiative and its ambition to bring business and industry closer to economic policymaking.
Adam Price said:
“This new project from Business News Wales will put the voice of business and industry at the heart of conversations around the Welsh economy. I look forward to hearing the insights, experiences and priorities gathered through the INFORM Editorial Boards, and to seeing how this evidence can help strengthen the dialogue between industry and government.”
INFORM has been developed as a sister initiative to Business News Wales, extending the organisation’s role beyond reporting on economic developments to gathering, analysing and distributing intelligence that can support more informed decision-making.
Business News Wales Managing Director Mark Powney said:
“The purpose of INFORM is to ensure that the knowledge and experience of people working directly within the Welsh economy reaches those responsible for shaping its future.
“Our first Neath Port Talbot Editorial Board demonstrated the value of bringing together people from different sectors and organisations. It was a detailed and constructive discussion which identified both significant opportunities and some very real barriers to economic progress.
“We have now taken that evidence and developed two reports, including a shorter publication specifically designed for government ministers and officials. Our intention is to ensure that the findings are not simply published and forgotten, but are actively distributed to more than 200 people involved in policy, investment and economic decision-making.
“Importantly, this is not a one-off exercise. We will return to Neath Port Talbot every quarter, bringing together industry leaders to examine progress, identify new challenges and continue building a valuable body of economic intelligence.
“We believe there is an important role for independent media in connecting the experience of business and industry with the people responsible for economic policy. INFORM has been created to make that connection more structured, consistent and useful.”
The publication comes at a significant moment for Neath Port Talbot, as the region navigates industrial transformation alongside major opportunities linked to the Celtic Freeport, new energy infrastructure, advanced manufacturing and wider investment.
The full INFORM Wales Neath Port Talbot Evidence Report and accompanying shorter policy report are available to download from the Business News Wales website.
