About Us

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.

Dimitri became Leader of Newport Council in May 2024, has served as a Councillor since May 2022 in Newport and previously as opposition Leader in another Council and as Cabinet Member for a range of areas, including Organisational Transformation. Dimitri is the Welsh Local Government Association lead for Digital Leadership. As an IT graduate, he has an extensive working background and has worked at both UK and Welsh Parliaments in senior researcher roles and lectured politics at the University of Bristol. Dimitri was a Senior Analyst for the Independent Monitoring Authority attached to the Ministry of Justice to monitor Brexit and citizens’ rights.

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.

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.

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. In early 2024 Mary Ann was appointed Chair of Cardiff Capital Region.

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.

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.

Tony was born and raised in Bristol and joined the Green Party in 2008. He has represented the Southville Ward as a local Councillor since 2021. Appointed as Leader of the Council on 21 May 2024, he is the political figurehead of Bristol City Council. He has a comprehensive working background in IT consultancy, data analytics, and business, delivering large scale projects for multiple organisations and specific interest and expertise in local government finances, housing, and urban planning.

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.

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.

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.