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Welsh Electronics Forum strengthens team
The Welsh Electronics Forum, the body representing the interests of electronics, software, semiconductor and technical service businesses across Wales has appointed highly-experienced technology industry professionals, Idris Price and Avril Lewis, as regional managers.
Mr Price, Director of E&L Instruments Ltd in Wrexham – an electronics design and manufacturing company specialising in technical training equipment for use in college and university laboratories, will act as regional manager for Mid- and North Wales; whilst former Director of Human Resources of ESM, Ms Lewis from Cardiff, will do the same across South East Wales. Both are former Forum Council Members and will be looking to raise awareness of the Welsh Electronics Forum and its services within their respective regions over the coming months.
The two key appointments follow the Forum’s recent consultation with industry on matters of funding and innovation, the impact of the recession on the skills pool and better collaboration in order to unlock new markets, among others.
Dr Chris Young, Chief Executive of the Welsh Electronics Forum says the appointments are extremely timely.
She said: a Trend Survey of Welsh and UK companies conducted earlier in the year confirmed that although half of companies expected to retain numbers over the next quarter, access to finance and credit was limiting their growth substantially. After meeting with the Deputy First Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones, in April and consulting with technology companies across Wales in July, the Forum proposed and prioritised four key actions according to importance. These now form the core of the Action Plan that Avril and Idris will help to deliver.
“In addition to winning more business, establishing ‘communities of interest’ was identified as a top priority. Both Idris and Avril will have further responsibility for setting up communities in North and Mid Wales and developing a community of contractors and consultants, respectively.
Commenting on his appointment, Mr Price, who is also a Knowledge Transfer Partnership Adviser for North Wales, said: “Nearly 60% of the companies we spoke to cited networking and making contacts as a fundamental role of the Forum. Having worked in the electronics industry since the 70s and being closely associated with the Forum for many years, I am relishing the challenge of creating a stronger community in North and Mid Wales and actively promoting a programme of regular events where technology companies can exchange not only ideas, but also experience and in this way build lasting relationships.”
Ms Lewis, who was part of the MBO of Newport Wafer-fab , now International Rectifier, has worked in the technology and recruitment industry for many years. She has been tasked with strengthening the Forum’s links with Semta, the Sector Skills Council for the electronics industry. She said: “The technology industry is one of the most exciting industries in which to work and I’ve always thoroughly enjoyed seeing young talent being developed and offered opportunities to progress within a truly global industry.
“In order to ensure that the technology industry and Wales plc continue to thrive, we now need to relook at the current skills pool and make certain that its size and quality continues to match the needs of the industry it supports.”
Mr Price and Ms Lewis will also be looking to identify potential new services and income streams for the Forum, spend time with companies in order to update the Forum’s directory and provide information on other informal service offers available from member companies.
The Welsh Electronics Forum currently represents nearly 600companies in Wales and has been collaborating with a number of organisations including Semta, the Wales Manufacturing Forum, Electronics Knowledge Transfer Network and the UK Electronics Alliance to ensure a unified industry-led approach to business support and representation.