Innovation Advisory Council for Wales

The Innovation Advisory Council for Wales (IACW) was set up in October 2014.

The Council is co-chaired by Claire Durkin and David Notley and consists of representatives from Government, Higher Education and Business to reflect the public and private sector perspectives.

The role of the IACW is to advise us on a broad range of innovation matters to help grow and sustain Wales' economy and improve the wealth and wellbeing of the people of Wales. The council will monitor progress against the delivery of the Welsh Government's Economic Action Plan: Prosperity for All. It will advise and update us on emerging trends and developments, including identifying areas of existing strength and future opportunity using the ‘smart specialisation’ approach identified by the European Commission.

Council Members

Mr David Notley - Impact Innovation
Mr Andy Middleton - Founder Director, The Tyf Group
Mr Steve Smith - ex Director, Technology Venture Investments, Development Bank of Wales
Dr Ian Brotherston - Head of Public Sector Innovation Strategy, Innovate UK
Mr Rob Ashelford - Head of Y Lab, Nesta
Mr Rhys Thomas - Chief Operating Officer, Cardiff Capital Region City Deal
Professor Kevin Morgan - Professor of Governance and Development, School of Geography and Planning, Cardiff University
Ms Claire Durkin - ex Head, Global Science, Innovation and Knowledge Economy, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
Ms Carol Bell - Non-Executive Director, Development Bank of Wales
Ms Julie Booth – Angel investor, non-exec director and an international advisor for high growth organisations in the life sciences sector
Ms Karen Cherrett – Director, Cherrett Change Consultants Ltd
Mr Rony Seamons - Chief Operating Officer, AMPLYFI