Exploring the wider economic and regional benefits of the South Wales Metro

New appointment Mark Barry, Professor of Practice in Connectivity at the School of Geography and Planning will help to develop new research opportunities from the development of the South Wales Metro.

Based in the School of Geography and Planning, Mark will be working with colleagues to  explore and develop new research opportunities under the Metro theme.  These will range from economic impact assessment to research to explore the softer psychological and behavioural challenges related to the South Wales Metro.

Speaking about his appointment Mark said: “I think it is most important to explore what Metro might do to our sense of place in south east Wales. In parallel and with a focus on “practice”, I will be drawing on my network in the business and public sectors to help position the University to help influence the evolving Metro and regional  agenda and also enable its research to have a greater impact on the region.”

Mark is Professor of Practice in Connectivity at School of Geography and Planning and has thirty years’ international experience in multiple industries including management consultancy, biotech, IT, finance, economic development & transport.

Mark's report, "A Metro for Wales' Capital City Region - Connecting Cardiff, Newport and the Valleys" was published by The Cardiff Business Partnership in conjunction with The Institute of Welsh Affairs in 2011.  In March 2013, "A Cardiff City Region Metro: transform | regenerate | connect" was published by the Metro Consortium which led to a commission from the Welsh Government to produce, “A Cardiff Capital Region Metro: Impact Study”, published in November 2013.   From November 2013 until January 2016 Mark led Metro Development for the Welsh Government.