A New Vice Chair for Wales

The Welsh Assembly Government announced today (12/07/06) that Peter Davies OBE has been appointed the Sustainable Development Commission’s (SDC) Vice Chair for Wales, replacing Professor Rod Aspinwall whose appointment ended in March 2006. He will take up the post from 3 July 2006; the part time appointment will run for three years.

The SDC is the independent advisory body on sustainable development to the UK Government and the Devolved Administrations. The Commission reports to the Prime Minister and the First Ministers of Wales and Scotland who jointly agree appointments.

All appointments to the SDC are made jointly by Whitehall and the Devolved Administrations. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) normally takes the lead on behalf of all four administrations as the sponsoring body for the SDC.

Peter is currently a Project Consultant and an Associate Director with Business in the Community. His career background began in the education sector, initially as a teacher before being appointed Southern Area Director of the CBI Education Foundation. He was subsequently appointed by the DTI to set up the National Teacher Placement Service. It was here that he received an OBE in recognition for his work.

In 1995 Peter joined Business in the Community UK as a Managing Director and latterly has been its Deputy Chief Executive. He led the organisation’s campaigning role in improving the social and environmental impacts of business and established an international reputation for his work on corporate social responsibility. Peter returned home to Wales in 2005 and established the Project Development Partnership, a consultancy that provides project consultancy to business, government and the voluntary sector. Peter also coordinates the work of The Prince’s Charities in Wales and is chair of the West Wales branch of The Institute of Welsh Affairs

Minister for Environment, Planning and Countryside Carwyn Jones said:
“I am very pleased that, following a highly competitive appointment process, the SDC has recruited an outstanding Vice Chair for Wales who will bring energy and drive to the post. The Sustainable Development agenda is one we are looking to reinvigorate. I am looking forward to working with Peter and the SDC as we seek to do so.”

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