About the Western Gateway

Chief Executive for Fintech Wales and now Chair, Sarah has already been responsible for championing industry to create new opportunities in Wales and the UK. As a co-founding member of the innovative Starling Bank, which remains the first British bank to be founded by a woman, and former Director for Government Affairs for IBM UK, she brings significant experience of working across governments, industry, and new start-ups to the role.

Councillor Jane Mudd is the Leader of Newport City Council. Her professional background is rooted in the social policy and housing field, most recently holding the post of head of department for applied community sciences at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Key positions held include WLGA spokesperson for equalities and independent board member of the Regulatory Board for Wales.

Mark was elected to Gloucestershire County Council in 2009 having previously been leader of Gloucester City, and became the Council’s youngest Leader when he took over the role at the age of 35 in 2010. Mark has chaired People and Place at the LGA and currently is the LGA digital champion.

Richard is an experienced business executive, leading operations, and growth strategies at Arcadis, a leading built and natural assets consultancy.   Richard has also spent several years supporting regional economic growth through various NED roles including as President of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce.

Mike Bell has been the Leader of North Somerset Council since the May elections in 2023 and served as a councillor since 2001. He has previously served as Deputy Leader and as a cabinet member for various areas including adult services, health, housing, finance and communications.

Mary Ann is Leader of Monmouthshire County Council, elected in May 2022. She is a Welsh Local Government Association spokesperson on Climate Change and Social Justice and is Vice Chair of the Cardiff Capital Region Cabinet, where she holds the brief for Innovation and Research. Mary Ann was elected councillor for Llanelly, a rural ward in Monmouthshire in 2022.

A Wiltshire Councillor since the creation of Wiltshire Council in 2009 and a Salisbury District Councillor before that.  Following the 2021 elections, Richard was elected as Leader of Wiltshire Council, with cabinet responsibilities for MCI, Economic Development, Heritage, Arts, Tourism and Health and Wellbeing. He previously had cabinet responsibility for areas including Housing, Communities, Climate Change and Corporate Services as well as Chairing the Wiltshire Council Housing Board.

Lhosa Daly is a leader in the arts with a diverse spectrum of experiences across Western England and South Wales including art, heritage and conservation organisations and global multinational companies. A lawyer, director and consultant with a proven track record at providing analysis, solutions and successful change. Lhosa brings a passionate desire to nourish talent and create long term, sustainable success.

Ruth Dooley is a chartered accountant and tax adviser for a wide range of companies and private clients and is a previous winner of South West Accountant of the Year.  She has been instructed as an expert witness in over 100 cases and has experience in family, professional negligence and commercial cases. During her thirty years in Gloucestershire, she has contributed to the Prince’s Trust, Fredericks Gloucestershire, BBC Radio Gloucestershire, the Honourable Company of Gloucestershire and she is a Visiting Fellow at the University of Gloucestershire.

With more than 30 years’ experience in the hospitality and events industries, Ian Edwards is Chief Executive of International Convention Centre Wales and The Celtic Collection of prestige business and leisure destinations developed from the success of the world-renowned, five-star Celtic Manor Resort.  A Welsh Government representative on the Visit Britain Board, Ian believes tourism and business events can be key drivers for the economy as the Western Gateway partnership galvanises the collective

Councillor Kevin Guy is the leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council and leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the council. A former naval officer and college lecturer, Councillor Guy has actively been involved in local politics for more than a decade.

On a regional and national basis, Anthony Chairs the Cardiff Capital Region Joint Cabinet, sits on the LGA City Regions Board and is the Welsh Local Government Association Spokesperson for Resources.  Outside of politics, Anthony is a competitive cyclist with Pontypool Road Cycling Club and volunteers as a junior football coach with Griffithstown AFC.

Paul joined the SWLEP Board in July 2019 took the Chair in March 2020.  Paul has worked with local government on digital transformation projects for over 25 years.  He was awarded OBE in the New Year’s Honours 2019 for services to promoting UK Technology abroad.  Paul has lived in Swindon since 1994.

Dan Norris is West of England Metro Mayor representing over 1 million constituents and managing the West of England Combined Authority's multi-million pound budget. He is a senior regional politician, having previously served as a Member of Parliament for thirteen years and a Government minister. He is an animal welfare advocate and supports Bristol City.

Ben is a member of Arup’s senior leadership team in the Wales & West region. He sees the Western Gateway partnership as an important opportunity to create inclusive growth and achieve a greener, more sustainable future for our area. Low carbon energy, world-class infrastructure and connectivity, integrated transport and a focus on social value all have a part to play.

Mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees was elected in May 2016 and re-elected in May 2021. He is a Yale World Fellow and graduate of Operation Black Vote who has worked and studied in the UK and the US. He is a former BBC journalist, Public Health manager, co-founder of the City Leadership Programme and has developed the Bristol One City Approach. 

Cllr Jim Robbins is passionate about building a better Swindon and ensuring that it is well-placed to deliver economic growth and skilled jobs for residents, as well as ensuring that all residents can meet their potential and the Council is leading on environmental issues and meeting our Net-Zero targets.

Cllr Rob Stewart is also Deputy Leader of the WLGA and WLGA spokesperson for Economic Development, Europe (Brexit) and Energy.  He led the team to secure the Swansea Bay City Deal and is Chair of the Swansea Bay City Region’s Joint Committee to deliver the City Deal. Cllr Stewart has lived in Swansea all his life and was educated at Morriston Comprehensive School before going on to study at Tycoch College and Swansea University. 

Councillor Huw Thomas is the Leader of Cardiff Council, a position he has held since May 2017. He is a member of the Cardiff Capital Region Cabinet and Economic Growth Partnership. In addition, he chairs the Cardiff Public Services Board and is a director of Millennium Stadium Plc. He is the Welsh Local Government Association Spokesperson for Culture, Tourism & Major Events. He is also the Core Cities UK Cabinet Member with responsibility for Culture and was a board member of the Cultural Cities Enquiry.

Professor Ian White took up his role as Vice-Chancellor in April 2019, having previously been Master of Jesus College, University of Cambridge. Professor White’s research interests are in photonics, including optical data communications and laser diode-based devices. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), the UK Royal Academy of Engineering, and the Institution of Engineering and Technology.

Claire became leader of South Gloucestershire Council in May 2023, having been a ward councillor since 2007.  A Cambridge mathematics graduate, Claire spent a decade working in the software industry and more recently has carried out research at the University of Bristol into the environmental impacts of computing services.