Twelve senior figures from business, industry, economic development and Government gathered in Neath Port Talbot on Friday 18 September for the first session of INFORM, a new Business News Wales initiative designed to strengthen the flow of insight between industry and government.
The discussion brought together leaders involved in some of the most significant investment, infrastructure and industrial developments taking place across Neath Port Talbot and the wider South West Wales economy.
The session opened with a video message from Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy Adam Price, who welcomed the new initiative and its focus on strengthening the relationship between industry and government.
Participants included:
- Stephen Kinnock MP,Member of Parliament for Aberafan Maesteg
- Simon Brennan, Neath Port Talbot Council
- Professor Paul Boyle, Swansea University
- Chris Martin, Celtic Freeport
- Tim Rutter, Tata Steel UK
- Professor Dave Worsley, Swansea University
- Andrew Johnston, Global Centre of Rail Excellence
- Gemma Charnock, NPTC Group of Colleges
- Professor Ian Mabbett, Swansea University
- Alison Orrells, The Safety Letterbox Company
- Jan Bell, Winfield Energy UK
- Steve Rees, Andrew Scott
Together, the group explored the opportunities and barriers facing Neath Port Talbot and the wider South West Wales economy, including investment, infrastructure, energy and grid capacity, industrial property, skills, innovation and how responsibility for economic delivery can be better coordinated.
Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, 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.”
The event marked the beginning of a new approach being developed by Business News Wales through INFORM, its new sister initiative.
Rather than simply reporting on the Welsh economy, INFORM will bring together people working at the forefront of individual industries and regions to identify barriers to growth, emerging opportunities and practical areas where intervention could make a difference.
Evidence and insight gathered through the programme will inform Business News Wales journalism as well as dedicated INFORM reports, which will be shared with relevant local and national government decision-makers.
The Neath Port Talbot discussion explored a series of interconnected issues affecting the area’s economic potential, including energy and grid capacity; the availability of modern industrial space; the experience of businesses and investors trying to navigate the region; skills and ensuring local communities benefit from investment; and greater clarity over leadership, accountability and responsibility for turning economic ambition into delivery.
The launch comes as Neath Port Talbot undergoes significant economic change, creating both opportunities and challenges around investment, infrastructure, employment and the transition towards new industries.
Business News Wales Managing Director Mark Powney said:
“I would like to personally thank everyone who participated in our first INFORM Editorial Board and gave their time, experience and insight so openly.
“It was a fascinating and incredibly insightful discussion, which demonstrated exactly why we have created INFORM. Bringing people with different experiences and perspectives around the same table allowed us to explore some of the opportunities and challenges facing Neath Port Talbot in far greater depth.
“Our job now is to take that conversation, analyse and verify the evidence, and turn it into meaningful journalism and economic intelligence. I’m really looking forward to sharing the findings over the coming weeks and, importantly, ensuring the insight gathered reaches the people helping to shape economic policy and investment decisions in Wales.”
For Business News Wales, INFORM represents the next stage in the development of a media model which places industry experience and evidence at the centre of economic coverage.
The Neath Port Talbot gathering is only the beginning.
The INFORM programme continues this week with five high-profile events at CCR Energy’s offices in Aberthaw, where more than 50 senior leaders will be participating in a series of focused discussions on Manufacturing, Defence, Artificial Intelligence, Social Housing and Skills.
