In a regular feature each fortnight, Caerphilly Observer is profiling a business based at the Welsh Innovation Centre for Enterprise. Welsh ICE is a hub for new businesses at Caerphilly Business Park and is currently home to around 85 start-ups. This week we look at Welsh ICE itself.
Already a familiar face to the many start-ups based at Welsh ICE, Gareth Jones has officially been named chief executive.
Previously known as its Captain of Innovation, the new title reflects the changing focus of Gareth’s role after originally co-founding the centre back in 2011.
Gareth said: “My role has altered dramatically since I came on board as part of the founding team here at Welsh ICE, and I am delighted to have been formally recognised as a contributing factor in the establishment of a brand now widely recognised as a key voice for aspiring entrepreneurs in Wales and beyond.
“A shift in structure has been necessary in order to reflect this progress and clarify our current commercial standing with those public and private sector partners we have forged links with in the course of the creation of this ever-growing, and extremely exciting, organisation dedicated to driving business growth.”
Gareth continued: “My focus now is to create an ever-clearer, more accessible, network of pathways to entry for would-be entrepreneurs and build further on the dedication and passion I have for providing start-ups in Wales with the support they need, from the first moment their ideas come into being.
“By strengthening our connections and inviting yet more business leaders to get involved, we can hopefully turn up the volume on entrepreneurship issues in Wales up even higher and extend Welsh ICE’s reach as a mouthpiece for the self-start community with the relevant decision makers further in the process.”
Set up to provide a distinctive creative environment for new entrepreneurs to feed off each other’s ideas and enjoy a high level of practical support from experienced business owners acting as mentors, Welsh ICE now hosts projects in conjunction with Business Wales, The Prince’s Trust, Cardiff Start, Cardiff Metropolitan University, UnLtd and many others.
Gareth studied building maintenance management at university but turned his attentions to other projects after growing disillusioned with the corporate world through subsequent work as a property surveyor. Raised in Llangollen, North Wales, he relocated to Cardiff in 2007 and also worked in the retail and hospitality sector before co-founding Welsh ICE in 2011.
In the ensuing period, Gareth has become a leading voice for young entrepreneurs through his involvement with the Welsh Assembly’s Youth Entrepreneurship Strategy for Wales, as a Big Ideas Wales Role Model and as an active member of the Cardiff Start community.
He was also instrumental in securing a £350,000 Welsh Government funding programme released via Welsh ICE to start-up businesses in Wales, which has already supported a rising proportion of businesses to get started in the first place and will continue to provide increasing entrepreneurial growth moving forward.
International entrepreneur Anthony Record MBE, former chairman of one of Britain’s largest risk management and compliance businesses National Britannia, originally partnered with Gareth as a co-founder and tasked him with achieving the vision he set out for Welsh ICE.
Mr Record said: “I am delighted with the work and commitment Gareth has shown in building the Welsh ICE brand from the ground up, and look forward to watching his progress in the coming years as our newly appointed CEO.”
• For more information visit www.welshice.org, call 02920 140040, or email iceangels@welshice.org.