World class innovation and a reputation for inspiring people has been identified as key strengths and will feature in the new brands for Swansea and the Swansea Bay City Region.
While Swansea is to be marketed as a “City of Innovation,” the “Inspiring People and Places” brand will be used for the Swansea Bay City Region – which as well as Swansea covers the local authority areas of Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.
Sir Terry Matthews, who chairs the Swansea Bay City Region Board, will reveal the branding strategy at the inaugural city region Innovation Summit with welsh Business Minister Edwina Hart.
They will be joined at the summit by life science entrepreneurial Sir Chris Evans, Mike Galvin of BT, chief executive of IQE Drew Nelson, Mark Shorrock the man behind the planned Swansea Bay Lagoon, financier Gerry Holtham and academic experts Ian Hargreaves and Rob Huggins.
Speaking ahead of the event Sir Terry said: “The way Swansea Bay City Region is regarded by investors is critical. Strong brands for the City of Swansea and the City Region are vital because they ensure we create an identity and stand out from the crowd.
“The city and the region have a rich history of innovation. I foresee a new era of innovative activity in the life sciences and the digital and energy economies.
“Swansea University’s computational foundry can liberate our smartest minds to establish a range of new digital products and services. “
Matthews added: “ Supported by our two universities and our local authorities I visualise the prospect of creating new industries with vast global reach and possibility.
“Inspiring people and places have also put the region on the map over the years.
“The natural beauty of Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Gower and people like Richard Burton, Dylan Thomas and Anthony Hopkins have inspired thousands of people throughout the world and will continue to do so.
“By combining these things future generations will understand the importance of this moment in establishing the conditions for a fundamental economic transformation.”
The Swansea Bay City Region was the first of its kind to be launched in Wales, ahead of its sister Cardiff Capital City Region.
Other aims include improving road, rail and high-speed broadband infrastructure to create the conditions that will attract new investment and support existing businesses to grow.
A decision on the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon is expected to be made by the UK Government’s new Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Amber Rudd next month.
