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Alwen Williams, Chief Executive, Ambition North Wales
When Ambition North Wales spoke at the Senedd’s Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee back in June, we were open about the realities we’ve faced. The North Wales Growth Deal, like many large, long-term public investment programmes, has had to navigate an unprecedented period of disruption. A global pandemic, a national inflation crisis, and unavoidable project-specific delays around planning and funding have all impacted how quickly we’ve been able to deliver.
These challenges have understandably prompted scrutiny, and that scrutiny is welcome.
Transparency and accountability are central to the values of Ambition North Wales, and we will always be clear about where we are, what progress is being made, and where we need to go next.
But it’s also important to recognise that we are now firmly on an upward trajectory.
Over the last 12 months, the Growth Deal has gathered real pace. We now have six projects in active delivery representing a combined investment of just over £55m from the Growth Deal. The tangible impact of our investment is beginning to take shape across the region.
Take CanfodAU, the new Centre of Engineering and Innovation at Wrexham University. This was the first full construction project under the Growth Deal and was delivered at impressive pace. It’s not just a building, it’s a statement of intent: North Wales is investing in the future of digital learning, innovation, and the creative industries.
And that’s just one part of the picture. Other key projects are driving improvements in digital connectivity, strengthening and future-proofing our tourism and hospitality sector, expanding research capability to support green growth with Bangor University. Alongside this we continue to invest in crucial low-carbon energy initiatives – from tidal stream projects to the launch of our own Clean Energy Fund which will help businesses across sectors to decarbonise.
We’ve also taken a proactive step in establishing a Reserve List, a portfolio of additional projects that allows us to adapt to evolving circumstances. This agile approach is already paying dividends, with four business cases from this list submitted for review next month.
When the Senedd Committee met, the number of jobs created to date was low. That’s because, by the very nature of capital programmes, job creation tends to follow infrastructure delivery. Construction-related jobs are only officially reported once projects are operational. As more projects come online in the next 12 to 18 months, job numbers will rise significantly.
That’s the growth curve we’re now on.
As Chief Executive of Ambition North Wales, I can say with confidence that we are entering a phase of delivery, impact, and real visible change. And we’re doing so in partnership, with local authorities, universities, businesses, and community stakeholders all playing their part.
We were never under any illusions that this would be easy. But we are committed. We are focused. We will continue to hold our nerve through political terms in order to ensure our economy can thrive in the long term. And we remain united in our shared mission: to create a stronger, more resilient, and more prosperous North Wales, now and for generations to come.