Wales' next Future Generations Commissioner is not underestimating "the challenge ahead" as he takes up his £95,000 post tasked with encouraging public bodies to consider the long-term consequences of decisions.
Derek Walker will be only Wales' second Future Generations Commissioner after Sophie Howe, who has done the job since 2016, steps down early next year. Mr Walker is leaving his post as chief executive of the not-for-profit organisation Cwmpas for his new job which was advertised with a salary range of £90-95,000 per year plus "reasonable expenses".
Previously, he has worked at the Big Lottery Fund (Wales), the Wales TUC and Stonewall Cymru. On Wednesday, December 7, Mr Walker tweeted to say he would be giving "my all" to the "important role".
Wales is the first country in the world to create an independent office to act as a guardian of future generations. The commissioner monitors whether public bodies comply with the Well-being of Future Generations Act, which came into force in 2016 and says all public organisations must carry out "sustainable development".
Mr Walker said it was a "vital role in leading transformation across our nation, to create better lives and futures for our citizens" but he did not "underestimate the challenge ahead".
He added: "The Well-being of Future Generations Act provides Wales with a legislative framework that gives us the opportunity to lead the world in sustainable development. I commit to doing all I can to support public bodies in ensuring implementation matches the ambition of the act."
Earlier this year, Ms Howe told the Senedd her office's £1.5m annual budget was not sufficient and created "an impossible task". Her comments led the Welsh Conservatives to call for the role to be scrapped, saying it was "wasting taxpayers' money".
According to Ms Howe's annual report for 2021-22 she said her expenditure of £1.7m including £1.2m in staffing came out of the smallest funding pot of all Wales' four commissioners.
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First Minister Mark Drakeford announced Mr Walker's appointment and said: "Wales needs a strong, independent, and respected individual to take on the role of commissioner, helping us all to leave a better legacy for people and planet.
"Derek comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience, and I know he will build the relationships across Wales to continue the movement for change initiated by the Well-being of Future Generations Act and the work of Sophie Howe."
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