First Minister Carwyn Jones has opened the Institute of Directors in Wales’ new offices at Cardiff Business School, which offer a host of new benefits and opportunities both to its members, and to the faculty and staff of the School.
IoD Wales, which represents and unifies business directors from organisations of all sizes from across the country, is now based at Cardiff Business School, which is ranked sixth of 101 UK business schools for the quality of its research and joint first for environment (Research Excellence Framework 2014.)
The First Minister said: “It’s a pleasure to be here, to see the links being strengthened between business and academia. Cardiff Business School is a credit to Martin Kitchener, and it has been great to see the growth of this business school over the years. Cardiff is a centre for excellence in terms of business.
“We know that we don’t lack entrepreneurial spirit and flare in Wales but what was missing for so many years was the structure to support that. Universities train and produce those people who go on to employ others and support start-up businesses that may start small, but can also grow. It makes perfect sense for the IoD to be based here and for businesses, whatever their size, it is hugely important to be able to learn from the expertise here. This is the beginning of what I believe will be a very beneficial example of mutual co-operation. It is hugely important that we see models like this develop across Wales.”
Stephen Martin, Director General, Institute of Directors, combined the launch with a meeting with Secretary of State for Wales, Alun Cairns at the Senedd, and said: “Relocating the IoD in Wales to Cardiff Business School and all its fantastic facilities and research provision gives our members the opportunity to work together with education and further enhances our relationship with students so that we can help develop the best possible future directors. With the challenges ahead, that has never been more important.
“Last time I was in Wales I was celebrating my first 100 days in post. I visited SONY on that occasion and to see among other manufacturing products, the production of the Raspberry Pi (the low-cost, credit card-sized computer.) That sort of ‘best in class’ level of technology is something that Wales can be very proud of. There are plenty of industry leading businesses in Wales and the they export all across the world is exemplary.
“The agriculture and the construction, life sciences, creative industries and cyber security businesses that are coming out of Wales are hugely impressive.”
The new office reflects the IoD’s continued drive to lead and influence government policy and to instigate business collaborations and research.
Cardiff Business School is one of only two UK business schools to have been ranked in the top ten of each of the Government’s five research assessment exercises since 1992 and is at the heart of Cardiff University, a Russell Group Higher Education provider.
The School is headline sponsor of IoD Wales’ annual and prestigious Director of the Year Wales Awards. Robert Lloyd Griffiths, Director of Institute of Directors in Wales and a former student of Cardiff Business School, said: “I am an alumnus of the school and the IoD has always had very close links with the University and all the School has to offer in terms of innovation, insight and world-leading research.
“We are delighted to have our new headquarters here and I am sure our members will thrive on the input of fresh, dynamic Business School students, who will also benefit from the experience and expertise of our members.”
Professor Martin Kitchener, Dean and Head of School, added: “I am delighted that we will be able to work more closely with our partners at the IoD, an organisation we have supported for many years.
“The success of our School’s commitment to promoting economic and social improvement through our unique Public Value strategy rests on our effective engagement with partners across the private, public and third sectors.”
“It is my hope that this exciting co-location will offer even greater opportunities for IoD members to collaborate with our faculty and students, for their mutual benefit.”