IC Wales

IC Wales

Wales IC There are many reasons why doing business in Wales gives you a distinct advantage: from skills to strategic partnerships and a tailored approach to financial support. As part of the UK, but with our own devolved Government, we can make decisions quickly.

Knowledge capital The £100 million Sêr Cymru initiative brings prestigious research chairs to Welsh universities and supports national research networks in life sciences and health, low carbon energy and environment, and advanced engineering and materials. Wales has created an agenda that aims not only to expand academic science, but to translate science and technology into applications that lead to economic growth. In line with this, the universities of Cardiff, Swansea, Bangor and Aberystwyth have been investing heavily in infrastructure such as the new £300 million Innovation Campus at Cardiff University.

Professor Peter W Halligan PhD DSc FBPsS FPSI FMedSci FRSB CEO The Learned Society of Wales Wales has a remarkable group of academic and research strengths, which is not always well known. While compact, its eight universities, both in terms of productivity and efficiency, punch above their research income and make a significant contribution to the world-leading UK research base, second only to the US in its share of global citations. Wales has a large network of international collaboration with academic and innovative global links. Being a compact and connected country means that universities and businesses like IQE, Airbus, Rolls Royce and GE can work together to produce a synergistic ecosystem for research and innovation across Wales. Several of Wales’ universities boast examples of outstanding science research – from Nobel Laureates in Life Sciences research and Cardiff University’s design and manufacture of advanced semiconductor wafer products, to the award-winning Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences at Aberystwyth, Swansea’s innovative materials research advances, and Bangor’s impressive work in environmental protection and developing exciting plans with the nuclear industry. Personally, I’ve held several large international meetings here, making use of the great facilities in Cardiff and the other cities, bringing nearly 600 researchers per day to a three- day event exploring the effectiveness of brain injury rehabilitation. Many had come long distances and were impressed with both the facilities and capacities that Wales has to offer as a host destination.

Carwyn Jones, First Minister of Wales Croeso i Gymru/ Welcome to Wales Wales is known for its workforce expertise and for building strong links between higher education and industry. Aston Martin is one of the high profile companies to invest in Wales alongside established companies such as FTSE 100 Admiral and global players Airbus, GE Aviation and Deloitte. Wales’ pedigree as an events host is demonstrated by our success in attracting global events such as the UEFA Champions League Final, the NATO Summit and the Ryder Cup. We boast a truly unique natural landscape which can inspire creative thinking and innovation: three National Parks, three UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the only country in the world where visitors can walk the entire 1,400 km coastline. And all this is easily accessible from major UK cities, while Cardiff Airport is the second fastest growing airport in Europe. Complementing our diverse and established venues will be ICC Wales in 2019. We have a great story to tell of an agile and innovative nation with a truly global outlook. We look forward to making you a part of our story. This is Wales.

Cardiff Airport – More than 50 direct routes, including major European cities – Over 900 connections – 18 airlines – 150 routes available on new Qatar Airways service, starting 1st May 2018

Spencer Birns, Commercial Director, Cardiff Airport "Aiming for three million passengers a year by 2025 and developing plans for a new terminal in the future."

visitwales.com/businessevents tradeandinvest.wales xplore4.com/intellectualcapitals/wales

II WALES

THIS IS WALES – Wales is less than two hours from major UK cities including London, Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool – Wales’ eight universities, four of which are in the world’s top 500 (QS World University Rankings), are second only to the US for global citations, and produce industry-ready graduates and a highly-skilled workforce – Where creative companies flourish. Wales has outstanding landscapes and locations, and is home to a growing developing technology cluster – Stunning venues and hotels, from ancient castles to famous golf resorts and the state-of-the-art brand new ICC Wales – Wales is committed to R&D and innovation, putting it at the forefront in developments in technology, engineering, energy, the environment and life sciences – The Welsh Government is approachable and supportive, and offers some of the highest funding and financial incentives in the UK for inward investment – Wales is highly competitive on cost: property prices and commercial rents offer exceptional value for money

ICC Wales key facts – Opening 2019 – 5,000 delegates – Total floor space exceeding 26,000 sqm – 1,500-seat auditorium – Exhibition hall 4,000 sqm: the largest pillar-free ballroom in Europe capable of hosting up to 2,400 people for a gala dinner – Meeting rooms for up to 1,000 theatre-style – 2,500 sqm outdoor plaza space – Two minutes from the M4 motorway

Ian Edwards, CEO, ICC Wales We’ve proven we can deliver large scale, prestigious events; now we have the infrastructure to root ourselves on the world convention stage. We have the Hospitality and Catering Expo confirmed as our opening event, the Alzheimer’s Congress booked for 2020 and around £8 million of enquiries already on the books. We listened to organisers and we are delivering what they want: an amazing convention centre able to deliver the perfect conference. Most importantly, we have our Team Wales approach – we all work together to ensure success.

WALES III

ADVANCED MATERIALS AND MANUFACTURING

With a long and proud history in inventing and manufacturing, Wales today is at the forefront of some of the most exciting new developments and innovations in advanced materials and manufacturing. WORKING TOGETHER

Benefitting from exceptionally strong links between business, industry and academia, Wales produces leading research projects in areas such as composite materials and low carbon technologies and a skilled, industry- ready workforce developed in response to the needs of industry. Productivity in the advanced manufacturing and automotive sector is higher than the equivalent sector at the UK level. Companies enjoy government and agency support, some of the UK’s highest financial incentives and established enterprise zones. The aerospace and automotive industries between them turn over more than £8 billion per year and both offer networking and support for business through Aerospace and Automotive Forums. Key strengths Professor Karen Holford, Deputy Vice- Chancellor, Cardiff University Partnerships between industry, business and academia are key. Here at Cardiff University we have a strong record of partnership between Airbus, the University and the Welsh Government. A great example is the Morgan-Botti Lightning Laboratory, established in 2011, where we conduct wide- ranging research into lightning and its interaction with materials and structures, with a particular focus on aerospace applications. This is really important now because of the new composite materials we’re using. Airbus can implement our findings in their manufacturing in North Wales. We have recently announced a further collaboration with the Airbus Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Analytics. When both industry and the Welsh Government identified a gap in software and programming skills, Cardiff University responded by developing the National Software Academy (NSA), offering innovative degrees. At the NSA we teach students in a completely different way, with a moving and developing curriculum responding to the needs of a really fast growing industry.

The students work in an office-based culture on projects that companies bring in, and when they come up against an academic skill they don’t yet have, we take them out into the classroom and teach them. By the time they graduate, they are not only industry-ready but also equipped with additional skills, such as project management, that they will need. “As academics, we hold meetings with people from all over the world. One thing I’ve noticed is that when people come here they say: “Wow! I didn’t know that this was here, I didn’t know that Wales was so beautiful.” It is lovely, from the coastlines, beautiful beaches, mountains and cities across Wales, academic visitors love the castle, the parks and are amazed Cardiff has so much to offer culturally. It is so close to London and the airports. It’s about accessibility – and having a great time while they are here.” Karen Holford

Automotive With more than £200 million investment committed in Wales in the last three years, and the exciting news that Aston Martin are locating in Wales and TVR are considering Wales for their latest developments, the automotive industry is celebrating growing success. Ford in South Wales has produced more than 20 million engines here, and Mid Wales is home to Riversimple’s first zero emission car. Development of Toyota’s latest hybrid engine in North Wales brings total investment at their Deeside engine plant to c. £700 million. Added to this, more than 150 components companies such as Schaeffler and Calsonic Kansei are based in Wales.

Tim Williams, Welsh Automotive Forum The automotive sector employs more than 19,000 people; we have 40 international companies, 100 SMEs and turnover of around £3.5 billion – so we are very important to the economy. And now, of course, we have Aston Martin coming and TVR considering Wales. We hold a yearly conference, Autolink, for people in the sector who come from all over. For businesses, Wales offers a tremendous package of support through the Welsh Government and support agencies: capital, technology, innovation and skills and a ready-made network in the 140 companies already in place, plus a fantastic location and great connectivity. As the industry transitions into new vehicles and technologies of the future, companies are working closely with universities on research and development. As legislation changes, transportation companies in Wales are well placed to take advantage.

IV WALES

Aerospace The aerospace industry has attracted some of the world’s leading companies to Wales, including BAE Systems, British Airways, GE Aviation, General Dynamics, Raytheon, Zodiac Seats and Qioptiq. Airbus Group in North Wales employs 6,500 people in its civilian aircraft wing plant. Wales is a cornerstone of UK defence operations: the segregated airspace for Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) was a world-first.

Joining a family John Whalley, Aerospace Wales Forum We have 10 per cent of the aerospace population in Wales, so we punch well above our weight. We have great partnerships: Wrexham Glyndwr University in North Wales works closely with Airbus and smaller companies, and trains students and Airbus personnel. In the space sector we have WASP (Wales Academic Space Partnership) working on earth observation and space robotics. Wales is great for companies. If you come to Wales you are not just setting up a factory, but joining a family. You’ll get lots of support from government, institutions and universities. It’s a great time to be here, we’ve got one of the world’s leading manufacturers and, on the horizon, we have hybrid electric aircraft and UAVs (drones) bringing new James Davies, Chair, Industry Wales Traditional industries, or sectors, are changing dramatically, so business, industry and government have to change at the same time. It’s important to break down the silos between traditional markets to achieve synergies. Digital is a very important part of that, as both an enabler and an innovative process for achieving new products and services. In the future, academia, government, entrepreneurs, funders and industry will work collaboratively to ensure that there is an added value manufacturing and technology sector in Wales. During 2018 we want to establish a conference that draws the new types of industries we will have in the future together. opportunities to Wales. Thinking ahead

WALES V

ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT

MAKING WAVES Sustainability is at the heart of policy in Wales. One of the first countries in the world to have it written in its statute, the energy and environment sector is central to Wales’ planned development.

As a low carbon economy, Wales has a renewable electricity target of 70 per cent by 2030. Currently, around 58,000 people work in the sector, generating more than £4.8 billion in revenue, figures which are set to increase dramatically. The huge importance and potential for growth is reflected in RenewableUK’s estimate of a sector worth more than £4 billion to UK GDP by 2050. Marine energy is one of the key renewable energies, and Wales’ geographic position makes the wave and tidal sector a priority. Wales has the second highest tidal range in the world, and with the Severn Estuary included, there is potential to generate around 10 GW from marine energy. Wales’ deep sea ports are equipped to support renewable projects. The success of the sector in Wales is evidenced by the serious funding it is attracting. The Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO) has recently extended funding for several key research projects including SEACAMS 2 - a £17 million, three-year project at Bangor and Swansea Universities set to develop a network of coastal observatories to collect high-quality >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12

amimagazine.global

Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter maker