New chairman for industrial development advice board

MINISTER for Economy and Transport Ken Skates has appointed Michael Macphail as the new chairman of the Welsh Industrial Development Advisory Board (WIDAB) for a three-year period.

WIDAB provides advice to the Minister for Economy and Transport on issues relating to the Welsh Economy and assists the Welsh Government in its ambition to drive sustainable and inclusive growth across the regions of Wales through the Economic Action Plan.

Central to WIDAB’s role is providing advice on individual projects requesting support of more than £1m from the relevant schemes within the Economy Futures Fund.

As the chairman, Mr Macphail will lead the proceedings of board meetings and also help fellow board members to reach a consensus so that a suitable recommendation can be made to the Minister.

He will also be asked to help in the recruitment of the new members of the board which will be taking place between July and September this year.

Mr Macphail is a chartered engineer and a Fellow of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers who is a former director of engineering of Tata Steel Europe.

He has had a wide-ranging career in the steel industry in senior positions in engineering, operations and HR in the UK and Europe.

Mr Skates said: “I’m very pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Macphail as the new chair of the Welsh Industrial Development Advisory Board.

“Michael’s expertise and experience will be invaluable in directing the board and providing clear advice which will help drive our ambitions for the Welsh economy.

“I look forward to working with him over the next three years,” he added.