New IoD offices opened at business school

FIRST Minister Carwyn Jones has opened the Institute of Directors in Wales’ new offices at Cardiff Business School.

IoD director general Stephen Martin combined the launch with a meeting with Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns at the Senedd.

He said: “Relocating the IoD in Wales to Cardiff Business School and all its fantastic facilities and research provision gives our members the opportunity to work together with education and further enhances our relationship with students so that we can help develop the best possible future directors.

“With the challenges ahead, that has never been more important.

“Last time I was in Wales I was celebrating my first 100 days in post. I visited Sony on that occasion and to see among other manufacturing products, the production of the Raspberry Pi (the low-cost, credit card-sized computer). That sort of ‘best in class’ level of technology is something that Wales can be very proud of.

“There are plenty of industry leading businesses in Wales and that they export all across the world is exemplary.

“The agriculture and the construction, life sciences, creative industries and cyber security businesses that are coming out of Wales are hugely impressive.”

Mr Jones added: “We know that we don’t lack entrepreneurial spirit and flare in Wales but what was missing for so many years was the structure to support that. Universities train and produce those people who go on to employ others and support startup businesses that may start small, but can also grow.

“It makes perfect sense for the IoD to be based here and for businesses, whatever their size, it is hugely important to be able to learn from the expertise here. This is the beginning of what I believe will be a very beneficial example of mutual co-operation.”

Cardiff Business School is one of only two UK business schools to have been ranked in the top 10 of each of the Government’s five research assessment exercises since 1992.

Robert Lloyd Griffiths, director of IoD Wales and a former student of Cardiff Business School, said: “I am an alumnus of the school and the IoD has always had very close links with the university and all the school has to offer in terms of innovation, insight and world-leading research.

Professor Martin Kitchener, dean and head of school, added: “It is my hope that this exciting co-location will offer even greater opportunities for IoD members to collaborate with our faculty and students for their mutual benefit.”