With some 45 events already confirmed for Wales Week in London, momentum is growing quickly and a number of key sponsors have been announced to support the initiative.
GE Aviation Wales, Hugh James, Swansea University School of Management and Flybe have all lent their backing to the inaugural celebration, which takes place in the capital during the time of St David’s Day.
The annual programme of activities acts as a vehicle for Welsh organisations in all sectors to promote their products and services whist developing new London-based audiences, partnerships and businesses connections.
Alun Jones, managing partner at Hugh James, said: “As a proud Welsh company, we are pleased to be able to support Wales Week in London. It’s a great initiative that will allow like-minded professionals to come together and celebrate Welsh success.
“We recently acquired a boutique commercial property law firm in London, Claremont Richards, in order to bolster our existing office in London alongside our work in Wales. Therefore, Wales Week in London provides the ideal opportunity for us to continue to develop new London-based audiences and connections.”
Professor Marc Clement, Dean of Swansea University’s School of Management, said: “We believe that Wales Week in London will galvanise, showcase and leverage the School’s links with London-based Welsh communities and with our business partners. This event is designed to celebrate and promote the best of Wales, in London. We have chosen the theme of ‘Legends of Welsh Comedy’ to explore themes of identity and their relationships with business in this, the Welsh Government’s ‘Year of Legends.’ We hope that our guests will take this opportunity to enjoy the nostalgia and celebrate all that is now being achieved.”
Flybe’s Chief Revenue Officer, Vincent Hodder, said: “We are extremely pleased to have this opportunity to support Wales Week in London and to see it highlight and strengthen the link between two vibrant capital cities. Flybe has been providing fast, convenient connections between the two since last September and we look forward to this initiative highlighting just how easy it is to travel from A to Flybe faster than road or rail!”
Deb Barber, Managing Director Cardiff Airport, added: “Following the introduction of Flybe’s direct flights to London last autumn, we’ve seen first-hand the importance of the link between Wales, its Capital City and London. Wales Week in London is an innovative way of celebrating this unique and important connection and we’re looking forward to being involved.”
To date, the diverse range of activities confirmed includes food and drink tastings, cultural and political lectures and sporting events. Some of the highlights of a packed calendar include; Sport Wales hosting a celebration of Wales at the Rio Olympics and Paralympics, The Association of London Welsh Lawyers, Confederation of South Wales Law Societies and Legal Network London’s Welsh Lawyers Networking Reception, and the Welsh Football Dinner with Ian Rush and Osian Roberts organised by Wales Week in London and Football Association Wales Trust (FAWT).
Nick Davidson, FAW Trust, said: “This is a wonderful chance for us to engage with people who we don’t usually have an audience with. Wales’ success in last year’s Euros was celebrated by Welsh fans across London and hopefully this event will give them a rare insight into the FAW and the FAW Trust.”
Wales Week in London is being led by Founders Dan Langford and Mike Jordan, two Welsh-based professionals who have long had business connections in London.
Dan said: “To have organisations of this calibre show their support for Wales Week in London demonstrates that it is being seen as a genuine opportunity to build on the strong links that exist between Wales and the Welsh that have chosen to build their careers in the capital.
“They have helped to build on the great buzz and energy that has developed since we launched the initiative back in early December, and with only a few weeks to go until the first event, momentum is continuing to build and we are excited for the celebrations to get under way.”
Wales Week in London was launched with Founding Partners Acorn Recruitment, Bluegg, The Wales Office, Welsh Government, and Seer Green Financial Planning.
Events will take place from Monday 27th February until Friday 10th March 2017.
