GlobalWelsh welcomes new Chair
GlobalWelsh, the not-for-profit Welsh diaspora engagement organisation, has appointed a new chair to lead the board through a new phase of growth. Following the completion of former Welsh Rugby Union CEO, Martyn Phillips’ three-year tenure in August 2020, Nan Williams, a London-based international communications leader, entrepreneur and Group CEO of Four Communications, will take the position in January 2021.
Hailing from North Wales and growing up in Llanidloes, Nan left Wales many years ago to embark on her studies at Cambridge University, where she studied modern languages. Upon graduation, Nan moved to London and forged herself a successful career in PR and marketing, working for Barclays and eventually, after starting in junior position, becoming CEO of leading international PR firm, Charles Baker BSMG. During this time Nan also obtained an MBA degree from Cranfield University.
Today, Nan is Group CEO of Four Communications, a multi-award winning integrated marketing agency with a global client base. Founded by Nan in 2001, the firm employs nearly 350 people across seven offices around the UK, the Middle East , including two Welsh offices in Cardiff and Aberystwyth. She is also a passionate supporter of entrepreneurial diversity, especially encouraging more investment in female-led businesses. Nan comments:
“When I discovered GlobalWelsh I was thoroughly impressed with the scale of the network since its inception, the projects and activities which are so well delivered and, of course, with the purpose of GlobalWelsh itself.
“As we head into 2021 we are renewing that ambition and want to extend both our scale and our reach – with the mission of contributing back to Wales and the Welsh diaspora in a material way. This moment in time feels particularly appropriate for a passionate community without borders to create even more opportunity and make an even greater impact.”
To help with the appointment, the GlobalWelsh board enlisted the expertise of executive search firm Odgers Berndtson Wales, a GlobalWelsh Founding Patron. Nan’s industry and leadership experience will be valuable as the not-for-profit organisation reaches a new phase of growth and looks to scale its global impact-driven programmes, for individuals and businesses, focused on inward investment, international trade, mentoring and thought leadership. Walter May, founder and CEO of GlobalWelsh, commented:
“With the rise of virtual networking and an increasing need for Wales to engage with its diaspora, GlobalWelsh is now in a new phase of growth. Having a chair that has extensive international, entrepreneurial and leadership experience is crucial to guiding us through this next stage of our journey.
“Nan’s balance of experience, growing a global business and working with large corporate organisations, affords her unique perspectives and understanding of business that we and the GlobalWelsh community can benefit from. Nan’s leadership credentials and hands-on approach will play a key role in helping us to scale our existing programmes and achieve impactful outcomes for our members and for Wales. We are delighted to have Nan as our new chair.”