Cardiff lawyer Fflur Jones, has been named as the new Chair of Menter a Busnes’ (MaB) board of directors.
Fflur takes up her position at MaB as the independent economic development company celebrates its 30th anniversary. She follows in the footsteps of Siân Lloyd Jones who has retired after a decade as Chair.
A partner in Cardiff based commercial law firm Darwin Gray, Fflur heads up its Employment and HR team, providing advice on all aspects of employment law, with a particular expertise in discrimination law. She also specialises in Regulatory Compliance and the Welsh Language Standards.
Fflur was instrumental in setting up the Wales HR Network, and its annual prestigious Wales HR Awards. She is also extremely interested in legislative matters arising out of Brexit/ Devolution, and is a regular contributor to Welsh and English radio and television programmes.
Originally from Bala, Fflur studied at Cambridge University, University College London and The College of Law in London before joining Darwin Gray in 2003. She has been a member of the MaB board since 2015.
Fflur Jones said,
“I’m looking forward to the challenge of leading the Board. Wales faces difficult times with the uncertainty of Brexit, and I hope to help ensure that Menter a Busnes continues its substantial contribution to the rural economy. Menter a Busnes has been built on firm foundations, and it will be exciting to focus on its further growth as we look towards the next 30 years.”
Paying tribute to the outgoing and incoming Chairs, MaB chief executive, Alun Jones said,
“Siân has made an important contribution towards strengthening Menter a Busnes’ position in the economic development sector in Wales.
“As Chair for the past ten years, her wisdom and business acumen has offered firm leadership for the executive team.
“Menter a Busnes is on the verge of a new exciting era, and we are very fortunate that Fflur, who has been a non-executive director for the past four years has stepped up to the Chair.
“Her rural upbringing, coupled with her city-based business experience, will certainly be of relevance when considering the wide portfolio of business support services that Menter a Busnes offer.”
Said Siân Lloyd Jones,
“I have had the privilege of being Menter a Busnes' Chairperson for the past ten years, having been involved in the company's activities since its inception.
“I'm delighted to see the company's growth and development over that period, and Menter a Busnes is very lucky of its people, whether they are members of the Board, the Management Team or staff, and their perseverance has enabled the company to continue to grow and prosper whilst still maintaining a high standard of service.
“In stepping down from my role on the board, I congratulate Fflur on her appointment, and wish her and the company well for the future. “
Established in Aberystwyth in 1989, MaB offers a wide range of bi-lingual business support and skills development to small, medium and large companies throughout Wales, and business consultancy services further afield.
It is a leader in providing bi-lingual business support across communities in Wales;
and is responsible for delivering several flagship enterprise projects including Agora, Cywain, Farming Connect and Menter Moch Cymru.
MaB works closely with Welsh Government on developing the food sector. It has exhibited the best of what Wales has to offer at the major trade events throughout the UK and international markets, including Shanghai, New York, Dubai, Paris and Milan.
The company employs 130 people located throughout Wales, with offices in Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff, Meifod, St Asaph and most recently in Carmarthen.
It also contracts with some 60 self-employed contractors at any given time and makes a conscious effort to retain as much as possible of its £17m annual turnover within the Welsh economy.
To mark its 30th anniversary, MaB recently launched an initiative to foster entrepreneurship amongst young people and boost the use of the Welsh language in business.
Each year the MaB team chooses a charity to support, and for the company’s anniversary year is focussing attention on the importance of mental health and wellbeing.
During July the company partnered with Darwin Gray to organise a charitable conference entitled “Taking Care of Business: Mental Health at Work” which was held at the National Library in Aberystwyth. Monies raised from the event were donated to Mind Aberystwyth and the DPJ Foundation. Following its success, a similar event is to be held at St. Fagan’s, Cardiff in January 2020, with monies raised this time made to Valleys Steps.
