Rt Hon Alun Cairns MP, Secretary of State for Wales On Powering Regional Prosperity

4th July 2019

Details

The Rt Hon Alun Cairns MP, the Secretary of State for Wales is joined by Ken Skates AM,  Minister for Economy and Transport to talk about their vision for the Welsh economy and  Welsh businesses and the opportunities that lie ahead. Both speakers are legendary  powerhouses of their Governments. They are joined by Ian Bancroft Chief Executive of Wrexham CBC who will be reflecting on his first year in his new role. 

Speakers

Ken Skates was born in 1976 in Wrexham, educated at Mold Alun School and went on to study Social and Political Science at Cambridge University. 

In his free time, Ken enjoys running, swimming, hiking and golf as well as having an interest in gardening, art and architecture. Ken was       previously a journalist and assistant to Mark Tami MP. 

In 2008, he was elected a Community Councillor. Ken’s policy interests include manufacturing, mental health, sport and leisure, eliminating poverty and political economy.  His political interests include skills training, tourism, environmental protection, mental health, sport and fitness and social inclusion. 

In June 2013 Ken Skates was appointed Deputy Minister for Skills & Technology. In September 2014, Ken was appointed Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport & Tourism. In May 2016 he was appointed Cabinet Secretary for Economy & Infrastructure and in November 2017 to Cabinet Secretary for Economy & Transport.  In December 2018 he retained his position as Minister for Economy & Transport

Ken Skates AM, Minister for Economy and Transport Welsh Government




Alun Cairns was appointed Secretary of State for Wales on 19 March 2016. He was elected as Conservative MP for the Vale of Glamorgan in May 2010. 

Alun attended the University of Wales and has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. 

Political career— Alun was the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Wales and a Government Whip July 2014 to March 2016. He was appointed                 Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales 2014. Alun was elected as MP for the Vale of Glamorgan 2010. Alun was elected as Assembly Member to the Welsh Assembly 1999. 

Before being elected to the Welsh Assembly, Alun worked for Lloyds Bank for more than 10 years, mostly in business development, with his last role in financial services compliance. 

Alun lives in his constituency with his wife Emma and their son Henri. 

He enjoys running and has completed 8 London Marathons in aid of local charities and was the fastest MP to complete the 26 mile course in 2015. 

The Secretary of State is responsible for the overall strategic direction of the     Office of the Secretary of State for Wales.

Responsibilities include:

  •  Overall Strategic Direction • Constitutional Issues
  •  Exiting the EU • Economy and Business
  •  Trade and Investment • Budget
  •  Infrastructure • Steel Cardiff/Swansea City Dea

Rt Hon Alun Cairns MP, Secretary of State for Wales


Ian took up his post as Chief Executive of Wrexham Council just under a year ago and for the previous fourteen years has worked at a senior leadership level within large public service organisations in Greater Manchester, Merseyside and North East Wales. Most recently, since 2014, this has been at Flintshire County Council as a Chief Officer leading successfully the development and implementation of a number of major strategic programmes.

Ian is committed to public service delivery and aims to work with partners, local communities and residents to build and deliver a clear vision that achieves outstanding results. Ian has lived in the area for last 17 years and is passionate about both the current positive opportunities Wrexham provides and the potential for the future.

Ian Bancroft, Chief Executive of Wrexham CBC