- Jonathan Lewis named chair of expert panel designing new
economic development agency
- Agency will help deliver most ambitious economic goal in
Wales in two decades halving the productivity gap with the UK
within 10 years.
- Agency will be built around innovation, target inward
investment and help Welsh businesses grow and scale.
A chairperson has been selected to lead an expert panel shaping
the new development agency to boost Wales' economy and create
better jobs.
Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, , told the Senedd of the
appointment today as he outlined the first steps towards creating
the agency which will be a key driver in reducing Wales'
productivity gap with the UK within 10 years.
Jonathan Lewis will steer the independent advisory panel
established to shape the design and remit of the new economic
development agency for Wales.
Mr Lewis has extensive business and leadership experience across
major infrastructure and services sectors globally, particularly
energy, engineering and construction and technology. He
currently chairs the UK's largest ports operator Associated
British Ports (ABP) and is a non-executive director at Adura
Energy. He previously held the CEO roles at Capita plc and
AmecFosterWheeler plc.
Much of Mr Lewis's career was spent in the energy sector in the
United States and in other international markets where he engaged
with various national development agencies around the world.
The new agency will focus on attracting inward investment,
supporting Welsh businesses to scale up, and put innovation at
the heart of Wales' economic development.
It will also draw on international best practice and connect with
businesses, organisations, and institutions across Wales.
Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, , said:
We have already announced the most ambitious economic goal in
Wales in two decades halving Wales' productivity gap with the UK
within 10 years. To meet that challenge, we need a fundamental
change in how we approach economic development in Wales.
"The new agency will be agile, dynamic and built for the Wales of
today. Innovation will be at its core not just new product
development, but the spread and adoption of new ideas that make
businesses more competitive and improve people's standard of
living.
I am delighted that Jonathan Lewis has been appointed as chair of
the expert advisory panel by the First Minister. The panel's
insight and advice on the operating model of the new agency will
be crucial.
"This agency isn't about recreating the past. It's about building
something that can stand out globally while connecting
effectively with communities and businesses right across Wales.
Today marks a key milestone in the journey to making Wales the
best place in the United Kingdom to start, grow and invest in a
business.
Jonathan Lewis said:
Improving Wales' productivity is core to realising our future
prosperity as a nation. I am delighted to have been asked
by the First Minister to chair a panel of senior advisers charged
with advising on how a new innovation and development agency can
underpin this objective.
Notes to editors
Full membership of the advisory panel will be confirmed later
this summer.
