Senior figures from across Cardiff’s business, cultural, sporting and public sectors have come together to examine how the Welsh capital can harness its major attractions, development opportunities and creative industries to drive regeneration, attract investment and deliver wider economic benefits.
The discussion, held at Glamorgan Cricket Ground in Sophia Gardens on Monday 2 November, formed part of a new series of Business News Wales editorial boards established through its INFORM Wales initiative.
Chaired by former First Minister Lord Carwyn Jones of Penybont, the two-hour session brought together 12 representatives from organisations involved in shaping Cardiff’s economic, cultural and social future.
The meeting focused on how Cardiff can make better use of its established strengths in sport, culture, music and entertainment to support the next phase of the city’s development, while ensuring that investment creates meaningful opportunities for businesses and communities.
With major developments including the new Cardiff Bay arena, plans for Glamorgan Cricket’s facilities and the continued growth of the city’s live music and entertainment offer, the discussion provided an opportunity to consider how these assets could contribute to a more connected and competitive capital city economy.
A central focus was the relationship between major investment and wider economic regeneration.
- Mark Rhydderch-Roberts, Chair of Glamorgan Cricket
- Huw Thomas MS
- Councillor Jennifer Burke
- Carolyn Brownell, Executive and Estef Solar, Head of Marketing at FOR Cardiff.
- Nicholas Saunders, Founder of Depot Live
- Alison Dowzell OBE, Managing Director of Screen Alliance Wales
- Sharon James-Evans, Principal of Cardiff and Vale College
- Phil Jardine, Partner at Blake Morgan and Chair of Cardiff Business Club
- Mike Jordan, Managing Director of TOWARD
- Mike Scott, Communications and Culture Manager at Ogi Wales
Their collective involvement reflects the range of interests that influence Cardiff’s future development, from the ability to attract investment and host major events to the skills, infrastructure and business environment needed to sustain economic growth.
The Cardiff session forms part of a wider development at Business News Wales, which has introduced INFORM Wales as a new evidence-led business intelligence initiative designed to bring the experience and expertise of industry leaders directly into discussions about Wales’ economic future.
The initiative operates alongside Business News Wales’ established independent journalism, creating a structured process through which senior representatives from business, industry, academia and government can examine economic challenges, identify opportunities and contribute informed perspectives on the issues affecting their sectors and regions.
The Cardiff editorial board is part of this wider programme, which brings together expertise across key industries and regional economies throughout Wales.
The findings from the Cardiff discussion will now be developed into a programme of editorial coverage and evidence-led reporting, with a report being distributed to over 200 government officials and stakeholders.
A new Cardiff Business section and weekly email newsletter will be launched later this month.
