The move towards a Green Economy, targeting zero emissions by 2050, is fast changing the way people work and live across the UK. With a significant percentage of decarbonisation needed to be achieved by the end of this decade, the pace of transformation will be monumental for all and potentially bewildering to many. Leigh Hughes, CSR Director of Bouygues Construction in the UK and CCR Chair of the Regional Skills Partnership, is concerned that the scale of change may confuse people and mean that we miss the opportunities ahead, for skills and life in general.

Nine months ago, we interviewed Philippa Marsden to find out how Caerphilly Borough County was managing at the height of the pandemic - and explored Philippa’s own vision for building back better, through a re-imagined high street, a regenerated community and re-purposed borough focused on creating an inclusive prosperity. Philippa’s commitment to her role and passion towards her community shone through - and with her recent appointment to Deputy Chair of the CCR Regional Cabinet, we thought it an opportune time to revisit the conversation and hear Philippa’s latest thoughts on Caerphilly and also on the Region….

When Richard John became the newly-elected Leader of Monmouthshire County Council in May this year, he became a key custodian of a County that many regard as one of the most beautiful in Wales (and the UK) - an area that contains the Black Mountains, Wye Valley and many historical monuments within its borders. It’s also home to c.95,000 people living across a largely rural county that includes towns such as Abergavenny, Caldicot, Chepstow, Monmouth, and Usk. We spoke with Richard about the key drivers that motivate him - and his future hopes and ambitions for a unique county and a fast-evolving region ...

The Vale of Glamorgan’s towns, villages and rural areas are home to more than 130,000 people – a geography that combines extremes of wealth and poverty; and a blend of ‘old’ and the ‘new’ economies.

Bridgend Borough has enjoyed a surprisingly prominent place on the pantheon of Welsh innovation – as we discovered when we spoke with Huw David, Leader of Bridgend Borough Council, Chair of the CCR Regional Transport Authority, CCR Cabinet member and a passionate advocate of a ‘green and clean’ economic recovery that could see the CCR lead the UK in the championing of ultra-low emission vehicles

In the second of our interviews, Nigel shares with us what he thinks he brings to his new role and his evolving thoughts on the measurable impact the Business Council can make for businesses right across the region.

In the first of two insightful interviews, Nigel shares with us his experience of early life in the Swansea valley – and the lessons learned in a stellar career that’s seen him build, lead and divest enterprises in many sectors, including Technology and Business Services.

As a year unlike any other draws to a close, Anthony Hunt, Chair of Cardiff Capital Region Cabinet (CCR), pays tribute to the progress and results delivered by CCR through the collective focus of a regional leadership and widespread collaboration with businesses and communities across South East Wales.

The autumn of 2020 saw the publishing of SQW’s independent report on the work completed by Cardiff Capital Region City Deal since its inception four years ago – a keynote report which will be submitted to inform the UK Government “Gateway Review in early 2021.

Kellie Beirne Director CCR City Deal and Frank Holmes, Chair of the Region’s Economic Growth Partnership, discuss both the questions asked and answers found to the many challenges and opportunities that emerged in a year that may have changed much of the world forever.