Business leader takes on new university role
ONE of the UK’S leading business leaders is the new Pro Vice-chancellor for commercial and business relations, at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD).
Dr Debra Williams’ role will be to develop commercial and business relations, as well as providing leadership in the development of regional, national, and international partnerships.
Professor Elwen Evans, Vice-chancellor, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Debra as a key member of our university’s senior leadership team.
“She is a highly experienced and insightful business leader who has a fantastic track record across many sectors and we are looking forward to working with her on a range of exciting activities”.
Debra Williams is renowned for having an instinctive talent for generating growth and identifying new business opportunities. She has held several senior roles and has worked at a management level at some the UK’S best known businesses including Confused.com, Admiral, Tesco Bank,
NCR, Covea, Swansea University and News Corporation.
During her time as managing director of Confused.com, the first UK comparison site and arguably the first in the world, she built the business into one of the UK’S leading aggregator sites.
On her appointment Debra commented: “I am delighted to accept the position of Pro Vice-chancellor at the university.
“The collaboration between business and higher education is an exciting one as it creates a cycle of learning, application, and growth, contributing to economic advancement and global competitiveness.
“I am looking forward to working with colleagues and partners to empower the next generation to thrive in a dynamic world of knowledge, innovation and opportunities.”
Among her many accolades are being named Welsh Woman of the Year for Innovation, being recognised as one of the UK’S top 200 business women by the late Queen and awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award and an honorary doctorate by Swansea University. She has also been awarded an honorary doctorate by Bangor University.
She is an angel investor and consults with companies both in the UK, Europe, and the US.
She sits on the Board of The Alacrity Foundation, Milford Haven Port Authority, Principality Building Society, Co-op Insurance and Chairs GCRE Ltd.
Until recently she was Chair of both Careers Wales and Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Welsh Government.
She also finds time to be a business ambassador for Ty Hafan and a trustee of Victim Support.