About the CCR
Creating sustainable success and thriving communities in South East Wales.
CCR Overview
The Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) embraces the 10 local authority areas covering South East Wales -Blaenau Gwent; Bridgend; Caerphilly; Cardiff; Merthyr Tydfil; Monmouthshire; Newport; Rhondda Cynon Taf; Torfaen; and Vale of Glamorgan. It has a population of 1.5 million which equates to almost half the total population of Wales. It is a diverse region comprising the two cities of Cardiff and Newport, a range of market towns, the industrial heartland of the South Wales Valleys, rural communities and a coastal belt.
The region has seen significant regeneration and investment over recent decades to redevelop heavy industrial areas and to create new business parks, housing and recreational initiatives. Projects have included the Cardiff Bay regeneration and the reintroduction of a passenger rail service to Ebbw Vale, in addition to major road infrastructure works.
Our Goals
Connected.
A connector of people, their ambitions and the opportunities to fulfil their true potential. Nurturing the best conditions for business success and community cohesion, through targeted investment in world class digital communications. Creating cutting edge integrated transport infrastructure, connecting affordable and accessible spaces to live, work and play.
Competitive.
A catalyst for continuity investment, bringing key industry clusters to life. A trusted partner enabling companies to innovate and realise their full potential. A shaper of economically significant hubs, producing multiplier effects that fuel local and regional supply chains as well as the broader foundational economy.
Resilient.
A focus for creating the conditions where our businesses and our people are best equipped to embrace the future. A keystone presence helping the region adapt, improvise and overcome periods of economic turbulence or social unrest.
The region is economically highly significant for Wales accounting for approximately 50% of the total economic output of the Welsh economy thus the success of the CCR economy is a major factor behind the economic performance of Wales as a whole. Drawing on its industrial heritage, it has a number of anchor manufacturing businesses in aerospace, defence and automotive. It is home to 50,000 local businesses.
It also has growing diversity in its business base with emerging, competitive business clusters in areas such as cyber, compound semi-conductors, life sciences and the creative industries. It is home to three universities, and is well skilled with a high proportion of the population with qualifications of degree level or equivalent. It has a vibrant capital city at its heart with excellent cultural and sporting facilities, is characterised by a diverse environment of coastline, forest and parks, and has very high reported levels of quality of life and wellbeing.
Our Values
Ambitious
We strive to be the best we can be. We are
leaders in our fields, opinion formers and influencers - challenging
conventional thinking, innovating continually, having the courage of our
convictions, and believing passionately in the pursuit of excellence.
Collaborative
We listen, we share information freely and we keep everyone informed. We never pass on an opportunity to help a colleague - recognizing that our collective impact is greater than our individual impact.
Adaptable
We embrace the challenges we meet and maintain our effectiveness at all times. We have an agile mindset and view setbacks as learning opportunities, striving to create an environment where we ‘learn by doing’, seeking to continuously improve our working practices - and ourselves.
Inclusive
We respect each other and value diversity of opinion. We take the time to ensure everyone feels seen and heard. We value the input of our partnerships and advisory bodies - and ensure that we leverage their collective genius.
Priority Sectors
We have various priority sectors where we have comparative strengths and competitive advantages.
Compound Semiconductors
Compound Semiconductors provide the underpinning technology behind most of today’s high-tech products and services including smartphones, sensors, and fibre-optic communications.
Fintech
Wales has the fastest growing digital economy outside of London, and the growth of the financial and professional sector in Wales has led to a thriving Fintech industry.
Cybersecurity & Analytics
Cybersecurity is a core pillar of Welsh Government’s international strategy, and one of the Capital Region’s priority sectors for economic growth.
Creative Economy
The Cardiff Capital region is acknowledged as one of the UK’s largest media production centres outside of London.
MedTech
Cardiff Capital Region is focusing specifically on medical diagnostics and devices.
Transport
Better public transport underpins sustainable economic growth and also offers real benefits for people.
Energy & Environment
Creating the conditions for a transition to a carbon neutral economy and society in the CCR, using low carbon energy are considered a key enabler of economic regeneration and fundamental to improving the health and wellbeing of our communities.
Key Areas of Focus
These represent areas of key enabling capability essential to achieving our ambition to be Connected, Competitive and Resilient.
Skills
35% of graduates stay in the region ten years later and it’s not just graduates that are needed; apprenticeships and other skilled career paths are needed more than ever and CCR’s approach is to mentor, motivate and sometimes fund the discrete types of skills development that will drive job creation and resilience for now and future generations.
Digital
The provision of high class digital services is a stimulant for innovation and the creation of new business streams, leading in turn to economic growth, social inclusion and cohesion.
Sites & Property
Infrastructure encompasses a wide range of components from the physical structures that underpin transportation to power generation that is sustainable and economically viable, working with our local authority partners to ensure that strategic sites are available for investment opportunities and job creation.
Innovation
Innovation is the cornerstone of sustained economic growth and prosperity. According to McKinsey, 84% of executives say that their future success is dependent on innovation.
Latest news from the region
- 2 June 2023
