Manufacturing business leaders from around Wales recently gathered for the launch of GlobalWelsh and Manufacturing Wales’s new online manufacturing industry hub.

Hosted on GlobalWelsh Connect, it is the first industry-focused hub launched on the global networking platform to share sector knowledge and expertise among the Welsh business diaspora in pursuit of global ambitions.

“The world is your oyster,” said Global Welsh CEO Walter May as introduced the “stellar lineup” of its existing members, such as Rolls-Royce CEO Warren East, who has undertaken a wealth of mentoring and site visits on behalf of the organisation, and Just Eat CEO David Burgess.

GlobalWelsh focuses on connecting the Welsh business diaspora, while Manufacturing Wales facilitates Welsh manufacturing firms and academia to connect, share ideas, problem-solve issues and create new ventures. Their partnership aims to support Welsh manufacturing businesses and promote excellence.

GlobalWelsh has a network of around 15,000 people located around the world in more than 65 countries, and a rapidly growing, fully engaged membership on its Connect platform.

Frank Holmes, founder Chair of Manufacturing Wales, said:

‘GlobalWelsh offers our members access to a community of passionate people around the world many of which are working and leading in manufacturing and this partnership offers the opportunity to bring these people, businesses and academic institutions together.

‘We recognise the power of partnering with organisations that share our values and beliefs which is why we’re partnering with GlobalWelsh who are building a global community of supporters and putting Wales on the map.”

Walter May, founder and CEO of GlobalWelsh, added:

“We want to partner with Wales’ most exciting industry bodies and launch industry-focused hubs to give them and their members access to the diaspora and the knowledge, experience and connections that come with that.

“We’re very excited to be working with Manufacturing Wales to launch our very first Industry Hub on the Connect platform.”

Robyn Lovelock, attending the event on behalf of Ambition North Wales, said the venture was “hugely timely”.

The Hub is now live on Connect and open to all Manufacturing Wales members and anyone within the community working in the manufacturing industry in Wales and around the world.