Kathryn Roberts, senior partner of law firm Eversheds Sutherland, has been named as the next chair of business membership body CBI Wales.
Ms Roberts, originally from Llandeilo, will take up her role next January. She will take over from Wayne Harvey, former senior partner of Deloitte in Wales.
She will also join the CBI chairs’ committee, the body responsible for setting and steering CBI policy.
Ms Roberts joined the CBI Wales council in 2015 and has been serving recently as vice-chair.
She has also served as a member of the Thriving at Work Leadership Council, established by 10 Downing Street. She is also a founding member of Monumental Welsh Women, and a board member of Maggie’s Cancer Centre in Cardiff.
She joined Eversheds Sutherland (then Eversheds) in 1995 after five years working for a City of London law firm.
She was appointed partner in 2000 and senior partner in 2015. She is a member of Eversheds Sutherland’s international real estate executive team and is chair of the firm’s shadow international leadership team.
She heads of a team of more than 400 at the international law firm’s Cardiff office.
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Ian Price, CBI Wales director, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Kathryn as CBI Wales chair at what will undoubtedly be a very challenging time for the local economy.
“Kathryn brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role and is well-placed to help us navigate Wales’ post-Covid recovery.
“I would also like to pay tribute to our outgoing chair, Wayne Harvey, who has demonstrated exemplary leadership during some extremely turbulent times.
“Wayne has been a tremendous source of support throughout the Brexit process and has played a key role in cementing relations with government and across the local business community.”
Ms Roberts, who attended Ysgol Tregib before studying law at King’s College London, said: “It’s hard to think of a more challenging time for Welsh business, and I think we need to brace ourselves for a testing few years as the post-pandemic recovery gets under way.
“In spite of these difficulties, I’m a firm believer in business as a force for good, and as a huge economic and social enabler.
“While the challenges ahead shouldn’t be underestimated, with the right focus and support there will also be great opportunities for Welsh businesses post-pandemic.
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“CBI Wales will continue to help businesses capitalise on that potential and I look forward to working closely with the CBI team and council colleagues to continue the fantastic work and engagement that Dame Carolyn Fairbairn [CBI director-general] has led.”
Outgoing chairman of CBI Wales Mr Harvey, who has recently taken up the role of chairman of Cardiff Airport, said: “I am very pleased that Kathryn will be taking over the chair role at the end of the year. Kathryn has been hugely helpful this year as vice-chair in what has been a very eventful time.
“I know that our Welsh business community will benefit from Kathryn’s clear leadership.
“I would like to thank the business community in Wales for its proactive support throughout a hugely challenging time.
“Business and our wider communities have responded in very resilient and creative ways – we will need that to continue as we rebuild economic activity here in Wales.”