The Centre for Business, Wales’ longest established business support organisation, has strengthened its management team with the appointment of two regional business managers.
Howard Thompson, 42, and Julian Rowe, 56, have been appointed to cover east and west Wales respectively.
The new appointees will lead their teams in rolling out support services to businesses across their regions, and to drive new commercial contracts.
Mr Thompson, originally from Chepstow, has worked for the Centre for Business as a business advisor since October 2003.
He brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously worked with the Princes Trust, and had a 12 year career with Nat West prior to joining the Centre for Business.
He said: “I am delighted to be part of this restructure. The Centre for Business provides outstanding business advice and training, and I am looking forward to working with my new team to deliver high-quality business support to new start-ups.”
Mr Rowe, who comes from Bridgend, has worked for the Centre for Business for the last five years.
He began his career as a qualified accountant working within the SME sector across south Wales where he gained experience in fund raising for business start-ups, business development, and general management. Having decided to embark on a career change, Mr. Rowe joined the Centre for Business back in 2009 working under the Business Wales service and its preceding brands until this appointment.
Mr Rowe said: “I think I speak for both Howard and myself when I say that we are delighted to accept these roles. The new structure will help us to streamline projects, allowing us to continue to focus on delivering business support services but also pursuing new commercial contracts.”
The Centre for Business is a non-profit making organisation delivering a comprehensive range of business support programmes, including leadership and management training, and marketing support. It also delivers business start-up services on behalf of the Welsh Government. Over the last 30 years, it has helped to create more than 10,000 new businesses and assisted around 25,000 entrepreneurs in South Wales.
Around 83% of new start-ups assisted by the Centre for Business are still operating after three years compared to the national average of just 35%, and since 2005 it has seen a 600% increase in attendance at its business skills seminars.