The Western Gateway, the pan-regional partnership that stretches from Swindon to Swansea via Bristol, has appointed a new chair as it focuses its efforts on net zero and creating jobs and economic growth.
Sarah Williams-Gardener, former CEO of FinTech Wales, takes over from Bristol-based Katherine Bennett CBE, who was the partnership’s first chair, having taken up the role in 2019. 
The Western Gateway, the UK’s first partnership to bring together a coalition of cross-party leaders from across two countries, said as chief executive for Fintech Wales, Sarah, pictured, had already been responsible for championing industry to create new opportunities in Wales and the UK.
It added that, as a co-founding member of the innovative Starling Bank – which remained the first British bank to be founded by a woman – and a former director for government affairs for tech giant IBM UK, she brought “significant experience of working across governments, industry and new start-ups” to the role.
The Western Gateway brings together business and academia alongside 28 local authorities and two governments from across South Wales and Western England to create economic growth and reach net zero.
Since its launch it has spearheaded a vision for a better rail network, created the UK’s first hydrogen ecosystem, brought in investment into nuclear and launched an independent commission to explore the potential for a world-leading tidal project in the Severn Estuary. 
Sarah said: “I am really excited to be able to take this opportunity of becoming chair of the Western Gateway. Collaboration is key to truly decarbonising and reaching those vital net zero targets.
“Our region is in a unique position due to its geography and rich industrial heritage, and has huge potential to deliver innovative communities, highly skilled workforce and world-leading companies, not just regionally but for the whole of the UK.”
She said while much had already been achieved, there was still a lot to do and she was ready to engage and work with the governments in England and Wales to help drive efforts to reach net zero and create jobs and economic growth.
“I’d like to thank the area’s business and political leaders for entrusting me with this vital role and look forward to working with them to achieve more for our communities.” she added.
The Western Gateway Partnership vice-chair Cllr Jane Mudd said: “I am so glad to welcome Sarah as chair of our partnership.
“With businesses, academia and a cross-party group of local leaders, we are already working together at scale to attract the investment we need to achieve our ambitions for the area.
“I’d like to thank Katherine Bennett, who has been at the helm driving our work as chair for the last five years. She has put incredible effort into getting our partnership off to a flying start and I wish her every success in the future.”
Katherine, pictured, who is also the CEO of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, stepped down from her role at The Western Partnership at the end of her term in office last December.
She previously spent 16 years at aerospace giant Airbus, becoming its senior vice-president responsible for 10,000 staff at its sites at Filton and Broughton, North Wales.
Before joining Airbus, Katherine worked at US automotive manufacturer General Motors’ UK arm where she headed its government affairs function and prior to that worked for Hill and Knowlton Public Relations in London.
She has also served on various boards of public/private enterprises focused on economic development in UK regions, including the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
Her contribution to the aerospace and aviation sector was recognised with a CBE in 2019.
