Committee publication · Correspondence · 19 June 2025

Correspondence from Nan Williams to the Chair dated 13 June 2025 relating to the evidence session on 26 March as part of the inquiry into Promoting Wales for Inward Investment

Inquiry: Promoting Wales for inward investment

Summary

Nan Williams, former chair of GlobalWelsh, responds to the Welsh Affairs Committee's follow-up questions on diaspora engagement for inward investment. She argues Wales's 3–4 million diaspora represent an underutilised asset and recommends establishing a formal Welsh Diaspora Cymru Coordinating Council to unify fragmented UK, Welsh, and local outreach efforts. Current barriers include poor coordination across government levels, weak communication channels, and lack of structured investment/mentorship routes.

Key findings

Welsh diaspora estimated at 3–4 million globally; GlobalWelsh research identified ~500 diaspora-run businesses and 300+ recent diaspora investors, but 21% struggle to find investment opportunities in Wales.
Multi-level government coordination is fragmented—UK, Welsh, regional, and local authorities run separate inward investment promotions with limited alignment and no comprehensive diaspora pipeline.
59% of recent Welsh emigrants would mentor people in Wales; 92% report pride in Welsh identity, but lack clear structured channels for engagement and lack knowledge of how to contribute.
Current barriers to diaspora return/investment: 57% cite need for stronger Welsh economy, 50% cite need for better public services, 36% cite need for greater trust in government.
Proposes establishing a unified Welsh Diaspora Cymru Coordinating Council, diaspora investment networks with tax incentives, mentorship pairing schemes, one-stop diaspora portal, and awards scheme for diaspora contributions.

Tone

Factual

Topics

inward-investmentdiaspora-engagementeconomic-developmentuk-wales-coordination

Key actors

Nan Williams, GlobalWelsh, Welsh Government, UK Government, Welsh Affairs Committee, Ruth (Chair)

Notable line

“Wales's diaspora possesses immense potential to boost inward investment but realising this requires significantly more coordinated action – government should provide …”

Key Quotes

“The Welsh diaspora is a vast but underutilised asset (estimated 3–4 million people globally, matching Wales's domestic population).”
— Nan Williams · opening argument on diaspora scale

“Overall coordination is not strong enough from a diaspora standpoint. Each level (UK, Welsh, regional, local) tends to run its own inward investment promotions with limited alignment …”
— Nan Williams · diagnosis of multi-level coordination failures

“A successful model to emulate is Scotland's GlobalScot network, a government-backed diaspora programme linking Scots worldwide with Scottish business opportunities globalscot.com .”
— Nan Williams · reference to comparable diaspora programme

“My personal foremost recommendation is to establish a permanent Welsh Diaspora Cymru Coordinating Council (or similar body) to drive diaspora engagement for inward investment.”
— Nan Williams · core structural recommendation

“57% cited the need for a stronger Welsh economy, 50% better public services, 36% greater trust in government .”
— Nan Williams · diaspora barriers to return identified in research

“As one diaspora member aptly put it, "Let's act on it together " – a sentiment I fully endorse.”
— Nan Williams · closing emphasis on collaborative action

View original document →

Source · parliament.uk record ↗