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Homeanna.keenan@businesswest.co.uk2024-01-12T09:51:41+00:00


SWINDON FUTURES COMMISSION

Welcome to the Swindon Futures Commission, a dedicated group established to
investigate, analyse, and propose solutions to vital issues affecting Swindon’s
economic performance and future trajectory.

Our aim is to shape a forward-looking vision for Swindon, one that prioritizes
sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

Contact us

OUR GOALS






ADVOCACY

Develop the evidence base and promote the case for investment to benefit
business, wider stakeholders, communities

DESTINATION OF CHOICE

Establish Swindon as a destination of choice for people, business, and
investment – both private and public

VISION

Develop and present a vision to inform and shape future planning, investment,
place and culture, image and perception – a framework for future possibilities


WHAT WILL WE BE FOCUSING ON?


KEY ISSUES ON WHICH THE COMMISSION WILL FOCUS INCLUDE:

 * Economy – performance and prospects
 * Industrial strategy – sectors, clusters, infrastructure
 * Employment land supply
 * Education, skills and opportunities
 * Town centre – including commercial & retail
 * Heritage, culture, creativity and place
 * Housing and residential opportunities
 * Finance, resources, assets, investment
 * Wider spatial vision – Borough-wide & beyond


COMMISSIONERS

COLIN SKELLETT OBE

Colin is a scientist and engineer by training and a Fellow of the Royal Society
of Chemistry. He is the chief executive of the YTL UK Group of companies,
includes Brabazon New Town, the Arena complex at Filton; Wessex Water; YTL’s UK
hotels; GENeco; and retail businesses. He has had non-executive roles in rail,
travel and international infrastructure businesses, served on the board of the
South West Regional Development Agency and is involved with charities. Colin has
chaired the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership and is currently chair
of Business West. Colin was awarded an OBE for services to business and WaterAid
in the 2012 Queen’s Birthday Honours.

HETTI BARKWORTH-NANTON

Hetti has a career spanning British Airways, Centrica, BT and Vodafone, leading
financial, commercial and transformational change, often enabled by leading edge
technology. She became the CEO of Ploughshare Innovations in April 2020 and is
renowned for leading cultural and commercial transformation, and her highly
creative, collaborative and engaging approach with teams and partners. She is a
recognised champion for diversity, equality and inclusion. Hetti is also the
Chair of Refuge, and Patron of the Joanna Simpson Foundation. Hetti’s diverse
experience, including working with deep tech start-ups, corporates, and social
care, brings broad perspective to the work of the Commission.

PROFESSOR MATTHEW DAVIDSON

Matthew is Director of the Centre for Sustainable and Circular Technologies
(CSCT) at the University of Bath, Executive Director of the Innovation Centre
for Applied Sustainable Technologies (iCAST) and director of an EPSRC Centre for
Doctoral Training in this area. He is also Whorrod Professor of Sustainable
Chemical Technologies and leads the Catalysis for the Circular Economy strand of
the UK Catalysis Hub. Professor Davidson held Lectureships in the Department of
Chemistry at Cambridge (1995) and at Durham University (1995-1999) before being
appointed to a Chair of Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Bath in 1999.
He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and is a previous recipient of
the Harrison Memorial Prize of the Royal Society of Chemistry and a Royal
Society Industry Fellowship. Professor Davidson graduated in Chemistry from the
University of Wales, Swansea in 1990 and received a PhD from the University of
Cambridge in 1993.

CHRISTINE DOEL

Christine is a Director at SQW, specialising in social and economic research
consultancy for public policy. With a focus on knowledge-based economic growth
and its link to place, she brings valuable insights to her work. Christine holds
a first-class degree from the University of Cambridge and a PhD in economic
geography. Her expertise lies in shaping effective public policies by
understanding the dynamics of economic development. Through her dedication and
academic background, Christine contributes to driving sustainable and impactful
approaches to regional and national growth.

SHARON OMER-KAYE

Sharon joined James Cowper Kreston in November 2021 as a Partner within the
Private Client Services Team. Previously, she was Head of Private Client, Thames
Valley & West at RSM. With over 25 years of experience, Sharon began her career
at HM Revenue & Customs in 1989 before transitioning to private practice in
1991. Sharon is a strong local business voice and provides a cross regional
professional services practice and insights.

PAM WEBB

Pam is a passionate advocate for the Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise
(VCSE) sector within the Integrated Health System. She holds the position of
member director for the VCSE on the Bath and North East Somerset (BSW)
Integrated Care Board (ICB). Additionally, Pam is an active member of the BSW
VCSE Leadership Alliance and plays a local role as part of the Swindon
Integrated Care Alliance. She also participates in the Swindon Health and
Wellbeing Board, ensuring the sector’s voice and opportunities are duly
represented. Pam’s commitment lies in promoting the interests and professional
capability of the VCSE sector within the context of integrated healthcare.

JOHN ARNOTT

After an early career in a range of banking roles, John spent 20 years in senior
HR roles for HSBC Bank plc. After leaving HSBC, John has been HR Director of
Vaultex UK Ltd, a supplier of cash management services owned by Barclays and
HSBC, and of the 140 global hotel group Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc. John
joined Swindon based UK Shared Business Services in 2014, initially in an HR
role and then as Corporate Services Director. With the creation of UKRI in 2018
John was seconded to establish their HR function, as Chief People Officer. John
returned to UKSBS in 2019 as Chief Strategy and People Officer. He is a graduate
of Loughborough University (BSc, Banking & Finance) and a Fellow of the
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

SIR ROBERT BUCKLAND KC MP

Sir Robert Buckland KC is Member of Parliament for South Swindon. Sir Robert has
actively contributed to various committees, addressing justice, international
affairs, growth, education, and disability. Notable positions include Chairman
of the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission and Joint Secretary of the
Conservative Party’s 1922 Committee of Backbenchers. He served as Solicitor
General for England and Wales and later became Secretary of State for Justice
and Lord Chancellor. In 2022, he was honoured with the Knight Commander of the
Order of the British Empire (KBE).

JOHN DAVIES

John is a Senior Corporate Partner and advises a diverse range of commercial and
corporate clients local, national and international. Awarded the prestigious
Client Partner of the Year accolade at the Lawyer Awards, he is also top-ranked
by Chambers UK for corporate law in his region and consistently recommended by
Legal 500. John frequently leads corporate transactions, including sales,
acquisitions, restructures, buy-outs, investments, refinancing and joint
ventures. He also provides strategic guidance to management teams and business
owners, and supports a number of in-house legal teams. John is Head of Office
for Swindon and sits on the Thrings Management Board.

ANGUS HORNER DL

Angus focuses on providing real estate, marketing, collaboration, and networking
support to the UK Knowledge Economy. Angus has held roles including Director
Angus provides real estate, marketing, collaboration, and networking support to
the UK Knowledge Economy.  Campus Director and Shareholder of Harwell Science &
Innovation Campus LP (2013-21), having founded the 50% private sector
shareholding that sits alongside the British Taxpayer’s 50%.  Co-founded and
stewarded x4 Science & Technology Clusters and increased the working population
to over 6,000 people (on course to ultimately hit >15,000), generating major UK
GVA impact. In 2011 established a consortium that secured a contract to acquire
Pfizer’s 3 million square feet Campus in Kent (then Europe’s largest for life
sciences R&D).  Various other company directorships plus charitable roles.
Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and a Deputy Lieutenant
of Oxfordshire.

CLLR JIM ROBBINS

Cllr Robbins is the Leader of Swindon Borough Council and Labour Councillor for
the Mannington & Western Ward of Swindon Borough Council.

PROFESSOR MARTIN BODDY

Martin is Emeritus Professor of Urban and Regional Studies at the University of
the West of England (UWE), Bristol where until the end of February he was Pro
Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise. Before that he was a Professor at
the University of Bristol and has also worked in Canada and Australia. He has a
long history of research and consultancy covering urban and regional economic
performance; housing, planning and commercial development; and urban and
regional policy. He has led project teams and had numerous grants from UK
Research Councils, the EU and other funding bodies and has worked as a
consultant and advisor for local and regional bodies, central government and
internationally. His work has included a particular focus on the South West
including detailed studies of Swindon itself.




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