Advisory board revealed for Charity Bank Wales

Charity Bank has made a series of appointments to its first Welsh advisory board to guide its growth in Wales. Appoints are senior figures from Welsh civic society and business.

The advisory board members are;

• David Melding AM, Conservative Party Assembly Member for South Wales Central and Shadow Minister for Economic Development.
• Gerry Holtham, the leading banker and economist and a public policy specialist, who was chair of the independent Commission that recently reported on funding and finance for Wales.
• Simon Gibson, Chief Executive Officer of Wesley Clover, the venture capital specialist, chaired by Sir Terry Matthews. Simon chaired the Welsh Assembly Government’s independent review of higher-education commercialisation activities.
• Sir Roger Jones, former WDA chairman and BBC Trustee and current chair of governors of Swansea University and member of S4C Authority.
• Adele Blakebrough, a pioneer of the social enterprise movement and a member of the Welsh Assembly Government’s Social Enterprise Ministerial Advisory Group.
• Tom Davies, currently Commissioner with the Independent Police Complaints Commission, with responsibility for Wales and former Big Lottery Board Member and the inaugural Director of the Princes Trust in Wales.

Commenting on the appointments Ian Courtney, the Charity Bank’s Regional Director for Wales said: “I regard the quality of these appointments as an endorsement of the Charity Bank proposition. Every member has that special understanding that distinguishes the work of the sector. The combination of some of the sharpest entrepreneurs in Wales, enlightened fund management practitioners and progressive thinkers will be invaluable in developing our business. Charity Bank is indebted to our Board members for agreeing to volunteer their time to serve Wales and its social enterprise movement.”

The Bank established a permanent presence in Wales in the summer of 2009 with the appointment of a regional director for Wales. The advisory board has been established to guide the development of the Bank’s business in Wales. Members of the advisory board will not hold governance responsibilities.

The appointment of the advisory board comes at a key time for the development of Welsh social enterprises and charities. The Comprehensive Spending Review of public expenditure will sets the Assembly Government’s future level of funding is expected to report in the Autumn. It will influence the shape of the sector in Wales. Charity Bank is eager to support the sector in developing innovative ideas for the delivery of services and products.

More details visit the Charity Bank website