Envoys appointed to promote Wales as an investment location on the world stage
Penodi cynrychiolwyr i hyrwyddo Cymru i’r byd fel lle da i fuddsoddi ynddo
Three envoys passionate about Wales have been appointed by the Welsh Government to promote the country abroad.
Minister for International Relations Eluned Morgan said she was ‘honoured’ to appoint them to their roles.
The envoys are a part of the Welsh Government’s International Strategy, a key feature of which is to raise the profile of the nation around the world.
Through working with high profile and respected individuals the Welsh Government hopes to spark and increase the engagement of the Welsh diaspora, which is made up of alumni and friends of Wales in other countries.
It is hoped this will drive inward investment opportunities and promote Welsh exports.
The three envoys are:
- Koji Tokumasu. Koji lived in Cardiff for two years in the 1970s. Koji was instrumental in bringing the Rugby World Cup to Japan in 2019 and is a former President of Asia Rugby.
- La-Chun Lindsay. La-Chun moved to Wales to take the role of MD of GE Aviation Wales in 2015 – becoming the first woman to undertake an MD position for the company.
- Aled Miles. Born in Bridgend, he moved to the USA in 2006 to take up the position of CEO at Cineflex Camera Systems LLC. His specialism is cyber security and he is currently President and CEO of Sauce Labs.
The Minister for International Relations Eluned Morgan said:
“We are confident the first three Welsh envoys will help us open doors for Wales and raise our profile internationally. They have been appointed as they are all at the very top of their respective fields.
“We are honoured that Koji Tokumasu, La-Chun Lindsay and Aled Miles have agreed to be flag carriers for our nation and they will offer in-market support for our export and inward investment ambitions, whilst also playing a wider role in raising awareness of Wales and promoting areas of Welsh excellence.
“These individuals will be given the official title of ‘Welsh Government Envoy’ and will help open doors and build relationships with countries around the world.”
The Minister virtually met with the newly appointed envoys this week and will be in regular contact with them to be updated about their progress.
A fourth envoy will be appointed in the autumn as part of the first cohort of Welsh Envoys. The envoys will be unpaid and reimbursed for any travel and sustenance costs associated to their role.
Notes to editors
Please find attached pictures of the envoys. If you would like to interview them please contact chris.seal@gov.wales or 07070406686
The three envoys are:
- Koji Tokumasu, who is based in Japan, was a Senior Director at the Rugby World Cup 2019 Organising Committee and was highly influential in securing Japan as the host country. He is currently a visiting professor at Kanda University of International Studies, Special Director at Japan Rugby Football Union and President of Shibuya International Rugby Club. His love for Wales stems from watching the great Welsh rugby team of the 1970s when they toured Japan. Following this tour, Koji came to live in Wales for two years. He has extensive governmental, business and sporting connections in Japan and across Asia.
- La-Chun Lindsay, based in the US, lived in Wales whilst undertaking the role of Managing Director at GE Aviation in Wales, the first woman to do so. La-Chun has recently taken up a new role as the Director of Infrastructure Operations at Amazon Web Services. In addition to her hugely successful career, La-Chun is also a strong advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. Whilst in Wales, La-Chun was named no. 4 in the Pinc List 2016 Most Influential LGBT People in Wales and was also awarded honorary degrees from University of South Wales (2017), Cardiff University (2017) and Swansea University (2018).
- Aled Miles, also based in the US, was born in Bridgend. He moved to the US in 2006 to take up the position of CEO at Cineflex Camera Systems LLC and has worked at a number of other organisations on the West Coast. His specialism is cyber security and he is currently President and CEO of Sauce Labs. Aled is also Executive Chairman of IoTium; a board member at Sapien; a board member at the National Conservatoire of Wales, the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama; and a board member and advisor at Wildstar Films