Written by
Robert Lloyd Griffiths
Director
IoD Wales
Creating the change that we want to see is often dependent upon our ability to connect, develop and influence.
As business leaders we’re all focussed on driving and managing change; improving productivity, increasing revenue and identifying new opportunities that support growth and success. Raising your profile, making new connections and becoming part of something bigger can really help with this.
Collaboration is also important which is why we’re getting right to the heart of what matters to business owners and directors at a local level with the creation of regional branches for the IoD. This new model will place greater emphasis on local needs and ensure better collaboration as we recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.
With the appointment of Damian Bridgeman and David Roberts as Chairs of the new South and North Wales branches, we’re doing even more to help you to connect, develop and influence by working together to achieve more.
Seasoned entrepreneur Damian Bridgeman is leading the newly formed South Wales branch. He’ll be 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.
Meanwhile, 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.
As a long-standing member and ambassador of the IoD, I know that David will be working hard with Richard Selby as our National Chair and myself to provide an effective voice for those in the North Wales region. We’re also looking forward to appointing Chairs for our Mid and West Wales branches. Indeed, applications are still open for the South West Wales position. You don’t have to be a member to apply but you do need to have the drive and the energy to want to make a difference in these areas. You can find out more by emailing [email protected]
I’m delighted to be welcoming Damian and David to the IoD team but, as leaders, we all need to work together so that we can make a difference. That’s why now is a great time to join us and create the change you want to see.
