Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) attended the Western Gateway convention on 17 October as a zonal sponsor for investment.
The Western Gateway is the pan-regional partnership for South Wales and Western England, which reaches from St Davids to Swindon.
The 2024 convention, which took place at the ICC Wales in Newport, brought together over 700 academic, business, government and local leaders from across Wales and the UK to discuss how to develop an economy fit for the future.
Ahead of the convention, the Western Gateway published its shared economic narrative which aims to drive investment into the area and place the region at the heart of the UK’s future economy.
Building on its economic narrative, the partnership launched its ‘Plan for Sustainable Growth’ at the convention, laying out how the regions can lead the way in the UK by creating new opportunities and powering a national effort to achieve net zero.
Following opening speeches from ministers and a leaders and business roundtable discussion, featuring Councillor Mary Ann Brocklesby, Chair of Cardiff Capital Region, in the morning, delegates learnt about the potential of the regions in creating sustainable economic growth through five elements: connectivity, cyber and technology, finance, nature and net zero.
Kellie Beirne, Chief Executive of Cardiff Capital Region, chaired the afternoon investment panel to share insights and stimulating discussions on what it takes to make the Western Gateway region more investable.
At the stand, CCR shared insights from its skills programmes, including the Venture Graduates programme and the Cluster Development and Growth Programme which has received £3.3m from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Cllr Mary Ann Brocklesby, Leader of Monmouthshire County Council and Chair of Cardiff Capital Region, said:
“I am delighted that Cardiff Capital Region supported Western Gateway Convention as a zonal sponsor for investment into the region. We see the tremendous value in uniting with so many partners across this region who are invested in sustainable, economic and inclusive growth, and share a collective vision for a prosperous future that generations to come will benefit from.”
Sarah Williams-Gardener, Chair of the Western Gateway, said:
“It’s powerful to see Cardiff Capital Region support the 2024 Convention for the Western Gateway. This event was a hugely important moment for showing how critical partnerships can be with business, universities and our authorities coming together under one roof to ensure we can become the centre of the UK’s future economy.
“Our Plan for Sustainable Growth shows how, together, we can deliver on our potential to be the fastest growing economic area outside of London and take this to the next stage. Working with key partners like Cardiff Capital Region will be key to this success and I thank them for their continued support.”
