Leading Investment Experts Join the Board of the Development Bank of Wales
The Development Bank of Wales has announced the appointment of two leading finance professionals, Annie Ropar and Paul Oldham, as Non-Executive Directors to its Board, further strengthening its leadership team as it continues to scale its impact across Wales.
Annie Ropar, currently Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer at the UK’s National Wealth Fund, brings a wealth of experience from both sides of the Atlantic. She played a founding role at the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB), where she served as its inaugural CFO and Chief Administrative Officer, following senior roles with Aequitas NEO Exchange Inc. (now CBOE Canada) and Royal Bank of Canada’s Capital Markets division.
Paul Oldham is a seasoned investor and a Portfolio Director at BGF, one of the UK’s most active equity investment companies. Since joining BGF in 2011, he has led operations across the South of England and Wales, including Cardiff. His background includes 16 years of private equity experience with 3i and LDC, and a period as Partner at Grant Thornton, where he led the South West and South Wales corporate finance team.
Chair of the Development Bank of Wales, Honorary Group Captain Sally Bridgeland, welcomed the new appointments, stating:
“I’m delighted to welcome Annie and Paul as Board members at this exciting time for the Development Bank of Wales. With over £2 billion in funds under management and a portfolio of more than 3,600 businesses, our influence is growing and reaching deeper into communities across Wales.
The Development Bank has become a vital link between institutional investors and local enterprises—bridging the gap and unlocking opportunities for partnership between the public and private sectors. I firmly believe collaboration is the cornerstone of sustainable growth, and with these new appointments, we are further strengthening our position as a trusted partner to Welsh businesses, investors and communities.”
Paul Oldham commented:
“The Development Bank is widely respected as the leading provider of sustainable and effective finance for Welsh businesses. The business model ensures Welsh taxpayer funds are treated responsibly without compromising ambition, while the early-stage support for high-potential ventures is preparing companies like Development Bank-backed Coincover and Space Forge to compete on the global stage.
I’m looking forward to what I am sure will be a deeply rewarding opportunity to help shape the future of SMEs across Wales by guiding funding decisions that enable startups, scale-ups, and communities to thrive.”
Annie Ropar added:
“The Development Bank of Wales is a catalyst for local innovation, job creation, and economic balance. With a focus on sustainable economic growth, we have the potential to transform regions by unlocking talent, building ecosystems, and levelling up opportunity where it’s needed most.
I saw the difference that this approach made in Canada during my time with the Canada Infrastructure Bank and it is now also at the heart of the work that we’re doing at the National Wealth Fund. I’m excited about bringing this experience to Wales and doing what I can to encourage collaboration and maximise the impact of private investment alongside public finance for the people of Wales.”
The Development Bank of Wales, owned by the Welsh Government, supports Welsh businesses and communities with loans and equity investments. Since launching in 2017, the Bank has invested £959 million into SMEs and property developers, aligning with Government policy priorities such as the transition to a low-carbon economy and the development of housing and commercial infrastructure.
In 2024/25 alone, the Bank supported 502 businesses with £152 million in funding, helping to create and safeguard 6,185 jobs. With £2 billion now under management and a growing portfolio of over 3,600 customers, the Development Bank of Wales continues to be a critical enabler of economic growth across the nation.