Cardiff Capital Region has held its inaugural Regional Growth Board (RGB), a key Advisory Board of the South East Wales Corporate Joint Committee (CJC). The new Board will provide strategic foresight and thought leadership to inform regional economic strategy and brings together key figures from the private sector, academia and research institutions, alongside regional local authority Leaders.
Working alongside CCR’s Investment Board, their collective experience will play a critical role in driving the regional growth agenda. The RGB is chaired by Kevin Gardiner (Global Investment Strategist, Rothschild & Co) who has previously advised CCR as a Member of its Regional Economic Growth Partnership. Lay members of the Board include:
- Vice Chair, Professor Wendy Larner, Vice Chancellor of Cardiff University
- Nick Bennett, Director, Strategic Advisory, Savills
- Dr Louise Bright, Pro Vice Chancellor Enterprise, Engagement and Partnerships, University of South Wales
- Mark John, Co-Founder, Tramshed Tech
- Professor Robert Huggins, Chair of Economic Geography at Cardiff University and Director of its Centre for Economic Geography
They are joined on the Board by Leaders from across the region, including Cllrs Huw Thomas (Cardiff Council), Cllr Anthony Hunt (Torfaen CBC), Cllr Stephen Thomas (Blaenau Gwent CBC) and Cllr Brent Carter (Merthyr Tydfil CBC). Representatives from CCR’s Strategic Development and Regional Transport Sub-Committees, and the Chair of CCR’s Investment Board, Frank Holmes (Founding Partner, Gambit Corporate Finance), complete the Board.
Kevin Gardiner commented after of the first RGB session:
“I am pleased and proud to share in the next stage of CCR’s journey with the first meeting of the new Regional Growth Board. It is our job to offer practical advice to CCR decision makers on how best to deliver a bigger, fairer, and greener regional economy.”
Cllr Huw Thomas, Leader of Cardiff Council and Deputy Chair of Cardiff Capital Region said:
“The first meeting of the Regional Growth Board is another milestone for CCR in its journey to be a force for inclusive growth in our Region. The partnership between businesses, universities and local Councils was a key part of our City Deal’s initial success, and establishing the Regional Growth Board now sets the platform for future growth.”
