Cardiff Capital Region Launches Regional Growth Board to Strengthen Policy and Decision-Making
21 October, 2024
Cardiff Capital Region Launches Regional Growth Board to Strengthen Policy and Decision-Making
The Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) has held the inaugural meeting of its newly established Regional Growth Board (RGB), a pivotal Advisory Board under the South East Wales Corporate Joint Committee (CJC). The RGB is designed to offer strategic insight and thought leadership to steer the region’s economic strategy, with representation from key figures across the private sector, academia, and research institutions, alongside local authority leaders.
The board will work closely with CCR’s Investment Board, leveraging collective expertise to support regional growth initiatives. The new RGB is chaired by Kevin Gardiner, Global Investment Strategist at Rothschild & Co., who has previously served as a member of CCR’s Investment Panel.
Gardiner is joined by an esteemed group of lay members, including:
- Professor Wendy Larner, Vice Chancellor of Cardiff University, serving as Vice Chair.
- Nick Bennett, Director of Strategic Advisory at Savills.
- Dr. Louise Bright, Pro Vice Chancellor for Enterprise, Engagement, and Partnerships at the University of South Wales.
- Mark John, Co-Founder of Tramshed Tech.
- Professor Robert Huggins, Chair of Economic Geography at Cardiff University and Director of its Centre for Economic Geography.
In addition to these members, local authority leaders from across the region are also part of the board, including Cllr Huw Thomas (Cardiff Council), Cllr Anthony Hunt (Torfaen CBC), Cllr Stephen Thomas (Blaenau Gwent CBC), and Cllr Brent Carter (Merthyr Tydfil CBC). Further representation comes from CCR’s Strategic Development and Regional Transport Sub-Committees, as well as Frank Holmes, Chair of CCR’s Investment Board and Founding Partner of Gambit Corporate Finance.
Speaking after the first meeting of the RGB, Chair Kevin Gardiner shared his enthusiasm for the new phase in CCR’s development:
“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 the Cardiff Capital Region, also commented on the significance of the new board:
“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.”
As CCR continues to develop its regional economic strategy, the newly formed RGB will be essential in shaping the region’s future, focusing on creating a more equitable and sustainable economy.