16th April 2015

Appointment of members to the Welsh Industrial Development Advisory Board (WIDAB)

Appointment of two members

The current level of remuneration is £198 per day for members for a commitment of 2 days a month.

Originally established under the Welsh Development Agency Act 1975, WIDAB advises Ministers and Senior Welsh Government officials on a range of issues relating to the Welsh economy and, through the provision of its advice, contributes towards the achievement of the Welsh Government’s policy objectives in the field of economic development. Central to WIDAB’s role is giving advice to the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport on individual applications for Business Finance where the financial support sought is over £1 million.

WIDAB members are required under the founding legislation ‘to have wide experience of, and to have shown capacity in, industry, banking, accountancy, finance or the organisation or representation of workers.’ The Board currently consists of a Chair and six members, one of whom retires in March and we are seeking to recruit two additional members who are collectively representative of a broad range of sectors, including entrepreneurs, manufacturing businesses, social enterprise, trade unions and north, mid or west Wales locality. The Board also requires expertise in the nine key sectors supported by the Welsh Government (Advanced Materials & Manufacturing; Construction; Creative; Energy & Environment; Financial & Professional Services; Food & Farming; ICT; Life Sciences; Tourism). Where relevant and appropriate, the Board may call upon additional specialist advisers to consider specific issues or cases.

With a strong understanding of the Welsh economy, you will be able to quickly analyse and assess commercial, technical and financial information to give advice to Ministers and senior Welsh Government officials on policies and issues as required. You will need to make a distinctive contribution, using your knowledge and experience and give judgement on projects with respect of the main criteria of employment, viability, additionality and economic efficiency as well as be able to advise on whether projects can make a positive, long term contribution to the competitiveness of industry and the economy both locally and nationally and whether they provide value for money. Considerations will often require assessment of risks and members will need to be confident in balancing these against the capital investment and employment potential for the economy of Wales.

Sound communication skills are essential together with confidence in expressing views; you will need to contribute to discussions to try to arrive at clear consensus recommendation to the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport.
Being involved with an organisation which could benefit from Business Finance Support is not a bar to appointment but a member would need to declare an interest and avoid participation in the case’s consideration where a conflict of interest arose.

Typically, members would be expected to contribute approximately two days per month to the Board. The majority of meetings will be held in Treforest, just outside Cardiff, although there may be occasions where meetings are held elsewhere in Wales. The term of the appointments will be 3 years.

It is the policy of the Welsh Government to promote and integrate equality of opportunity into all aspects of its business including appointments to public bodies.

It welcomes and encourages applications from groups currently under-represented including women, minority ethnic communities and disabled people. The principles of fair and open competition will apply and appointments will be made on merit.

For further details and to apply go to http://wales.gov.uk/publicappointments or for queries contact the Shared Services Helpdesk on 029 2082 5454 or email SharedServiceHelpdesk@wales.gsi.gov.uk

The closing date for receipt of applications is 8 May 2015. Application forms received after this date will not be considered. It is expected to hold interviews during April 2015.

A large print, Braille or audio version of this advert can be obtained by request from 029 2082 5454.