The North Wales Economic Ambition Board has elected Cllr Mark Pritchard, Leader of Wrexham County Borough Council as its new Chair and Cllr Charlie McCoubrey, Leader of Conwy County Borough Council as Vice-Chair.
The Board is a partnership between the six North Wales local authorities - comprising the councils of Gwynedd, Anglesey, Conwy, Denbighshire, Wrexham and Flintshire, and the region’s educational institutions - Bangor University, Wrexham University, Coleg Cambria and Grŵp Llandrillo Menai.
As a partnership the North Wales Economic Ambition Board is the decision-making body for the region’s Growth Deal, a £1 billion investment to the region’s economy, £240m of which is funded by the Welsh Government and UK Government.
The Growth Deal is a portfolio of over 20 transformational projects across five overarching programmes focused on the growth sectors of Agri-food and Tourism, Digital Connectivity, Innovation in High Value Manufacturing, Land and Property and Low Carbon Energy. There are a number of projects already in delivery including the pioneering Enterprise Engineering and Optics Centre at Wrexham University, state-of-the-art equipment and research at Bangor University’s Digital Signal Processing Centre and Centre for Environmental Biotechnology. In addition, the transformational Tourism Talent Network led by Grwp Llandrillo Menai and their private sector partners and the redevelopment of the former North Wales hospital in Denbigh working with Jones Bros will move into delivery in early 2025.
-
Cllr. Mark Pritchard, Leader, Wrexham County Borough Council and Chair, North Wales Economic Ambition Board, said:
“I am honoured to be taking on the role of chair, at what is an exciting time for the region, given the progress and potential of our Growth Deal. This work is only possible thanks to the collaborative approach we have always taken as a Board. Together we consider the bigger picture – ensuring we focus on improving the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of the whole of North Wales. As chair I will ensure we continue working closely as a Board, alongside both governments, our wider partners and staff within the Portfolio Management Office to drive forward delivery of the Growth Deal.”
-
Cllr. Charlie McCoubrey, Leader, Conwy County Borough Council and Vice-chair, North Wales Economic Ambition Board, said:
“I am delighted to have been elected as Vice-chair and will work hard, as a member of our partnership, to achieve our vision of a vibrant, sustainable, resilient and thriving economy in North Wales. Together we can create inclusive growth, well paid jobs in prospering sectors and ensure our young people have the opportunities they deserve to build rewarding careers in the region.”
Wales Office minister Nia Griffith said:
“Economic growth is our number one priority and the sky’s the limit for our ambition in north Wales.
“The Growth Deal offers millions in vital investment, driving growth and jobs.
“I welcome this fresh leadership and look forward to the delivery of investment where it’s most needed.”
Rebecca Evans, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, said:
“Congratulations to Cllr Mark Pritchard on his appointment as Chair of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board, and to Cllr Charlie McCoubrey for being elected Vice-chair. The Welsh Government, alongside the UK Government, supports the work of the North Wales Growth Deal to deliver the transformation of the region’s economy.”