Employers body CBI Wales has appointed chief executive of gift wrap to Christmas cracker manufacturer IG Design Group International, Lance Burn, as its new chair.
Mr Burn, who heads one of the two division of Alternative Investment Market listed IG Design Group, will take up the role from chair of international law firm Eversheds Sutherland, Kathryn Roberts, next month. He will also join the CBI chairs’ committee, the body responsible for setting and steering CBI policy.
Mr Burn joined IG Design Group, which has its UK manufacturing base in Ystrad Mynach, in 2009 – before joining the board in 2012. One of three executive directors he was seconded to Atlanta earlier this year to also take on the chief executive role for IG’s American business. He is scheduled to return to Wales this month.
He started his career in general management at Grand Metropolitan, with a focus on manufacturing, national sales and group HR roles.
He has also held senior roles with Northern Foods and PepsiCo where he oversaw projects in India and West Africa. Returning to the UK in 1997 as operations director for Dalgety-Spillers Plc, he went on to hold managing director roles for Saint-Gobain UK and RHM Plc.
Ian Price, CBI Wales director, said: “As we look to recover from the slow-burn impact of the pandemic, new economic headwinds – from cost pressures to supply chain disruption – have created a local business environment that is amongst the most challenging firms in Wales have ever faced.
“That’s why we’re delighted to welcome Lance Burn as the new chair of CBI Wales. With his extensive experience of consumer-facing businesses and international supply chains, Lance’s insight will be crucial as we look to tackle these challenges head-on.
“I’d also like to pay tribute to our outgoing Chair Kathryn Roberts, who has been a tireless advocate for Welsh business throughout the pandemic. In spite of spending much of her tenure as a ‘virtual chair’, Kathryn has shown incredible dedication to CBI Wales members and staff, providing a key link with government and the wider business community in Wales.”
Mr Burn said:“Regardless of the huge challenges facing the Welsh economy today, I’m absolutely convinced that Wales remains a fantastic place to live, work and grow a business. From the proposed tidal lagoon in Swansea to manufacturers working on the next generation of green products, Wales has an incredible opportunity to make sustainability a real point of difference as it competes on the world stage.
“But we won’t be able to deliver that vision of a clean, green and prosperous economy for the future if we fail to address the challenges facing businesses and consumers right now. That means business and government – both at a UK and devolved level – working together to help the most vulnerable through the cost-of-living crisis and support brilliant firms that are suffering right now, but do so much to create jobs and opportunities in communities across Wales.”
Ms Roberts said: “It’s been an absolute privilege to spend the last two years as CBI chair in Wales, and to witness first hand our members’ strength, ambition and creativity in dealing with some of the significant challenges we’ve faced: also to see their commitment to supporting and protecting their people. At the end of my term I’m even more convinced that business is indeed a force for great good
“Lance will take over as chair in the New Year and brings with him fantastic experience of conducting business in Wales and internationally. I know he will be excellent in role and, I hope, enjoy it as much as I have.”
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