Busnes@LlandrilloMenai Announces Appointment of Executive Director
Gwenllian Roberts, former Ofwat Director of Wales and previously Chief Regional Officer North Wales for the Welsh Government has joined Busnes@LlandrilloMenai as Executive Director Commercial Development.
Busnes@LlandrilloMenai is the business facing arm of the Grŵp Llandrillo Menai delivering professional accredited qualifications, specialist industry training and work-based learning including apprenticeships that develop the skills needed for a thriving economy, also providing expert advice and support to help businesses develop innovative products and services from manufacturing to food or energy.
Speaking about the appointment Gwenllian explains:
“I'm delighted to be taking up this role. I've been very fortunate throughout my career to have worked at the interface between industry, the public sector and government and am passionate about making a difference for people and places. As someone who was brought up on Ynys Môn and now bringing up a family in Llanuwchllyn, and who's worked for many years in the economic development sphere in north Wales I consider it a real privilege to be joining Grŵp Llandrillo Menai and leading the Busnes@LlandrilloMenai team.
“There’s no doubt that we are operating in challenging times, however I'm very confident that with Busnes@LlandrilloMenai's reputation as well as the team's immense commitment and passion we can address these challenges together and convert them into genuine opportunities for the north Wales economy. What this team, and indeed the whole of Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, does and how it helps and supports people of all ages to meet their needs and reach their potential is quite simply inspiring.
“I consider it a significant responsibility to support the team in building upon and growing its track record whether that's through delivering apprenticeships and work based learning, forging long term and impactful partnerships with industry or through the delivery of cutting edge innovation, knowledge transfer and business support across key sectors of the north Wales economy. I'm really confident and excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for us.
“This is a team that is very much grounded in the communities it serves, this is something that is very important for me both personally and professionally as is the opportunity to work through the medium of Welsh and further develop our Welsh language provision. We have already established a formidable track record of delivery and of partnership working with business and key stakeholders in the region. I'm very much looking forward to building on this foundation and to the journey ahead - I’m excited to take on the role of Executive Director".
Gwenllian began her career in the UK oil and gas industry having just graduated from Aberystwyth University. She describes working in a male dominated industry as a young woman as extremely character building at the same time as being extremely rewarding.
Eventually however the draw of returning to establish a career in north Wales proved too strong. Gwenllian returned to lead the Goriad Gwyrdd Eryri integrated rural development project before progressing to roles in the Countryside Council for Wales, the Welsh Development Agency and then the Welsh Government where she held national responsibility for economic sectors including energy, environment and steel. Partnership working has been a core theme of Gwenllian's career and it has laid the foundation for her work ethos. She has delivered partnership and collaborative working at a north and all Wales level over many years, always with a laser focus on delivering benefits for people, places and businesses.
Dafydd Evans, Chief Executive Officer - Grŵp Llandrillo Menai commented:
“We are delighted to have Gwenllian on board, she has an impressive track record, and is a well respected figure within north Wales, not to mention her broad experience in Welsh government.
“Executive Director - Commercial Development role is a key role within the senior team at Grŵp Llandrillo Menai. We are looking forward to working closely with her in the coming weeks and months.”
