The City UK, the trade-body representing financial and related professional services, has appointed a new chair for Wales. Tom Bray has been confirmed as the Wales representative of City UK’s national and regional chairs to promote and advocate for the industry across the UK.
Mr Bray, who is senior office partner at global law firm Eversheds Sutherland's Cardiff office, will be responsible for developing opportunities for greater collaboration with other financial centres across the UK, leading industry engagement with policymakers across Wales and in Westminster, and pursuing stronger links with key local stakeholders.
He said: "I am excited to take up the role of TheCityUK National Chair for Wales and work with the team to promote and advocate for the industry across the nation.
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"Wales has a strong financial and related professional services industry and has a growing reputation for providing high-quality professional services and support functions, with expertise in insurance technology support, taxation and legal services. I look forward to collaborating with other financial centres across the UK to drive growth and support local businesses."
City UK chief executive Miles Celic said: “We are thrilled to have Tom on board as our new National Chair for Wales. His strong network in Cardiff and across Wales and experience within the industry will be hugely beneficial to our work to champion the industry and deepen partnerships with key stakeholders.
“Financial and related professional services are a major national asset, employing one in 13 people – two thirds of whom are based outside London, creating jobs and driving economic growth right across the country."
According to the body's latest 'Enabling growth across the UK' report released last year, Wales saw the fastest growth in financial and related professional services output in the UK between 2010-2020 outside London, with the industry’s output increasing by 46% over the decade.
Cardiff and Swansea account for over half of industry jobs in Wales. Wales-based financial and related professional services firms employed 64,000 people, accounting for 2.6% of total financial and related professional services employment in 2021.
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