Workplace and small business experts, Town Square Spaces Ltd (TownSq), has appointed senior executive Peter Trott as its new Chair.
Peter, whose background is in marketing, sustainability and innovation, steps into the role following Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE, who has been with the business since its founding in 2017.
The appointment comes at a pivotal time for the company as it approaches its 9th year in business and matures from its rapid-growth early-stage, into a more established phase of operation and scale-up.
Peter has extensive experience in starting and growing businesses and was a co-founder of Afallen LLP, where he worked with organisations across the public, private and third sectors. He had a successful career in the ICT industry, with leadership roles at Orange, T-Mobile, Energis, Cable and Wireless and the Knowledge Generation Bureau.
He was directly involved in the development and growth of mobile telecommunication services and global data networks, and between 2018 and 2021 served on Ofcom’s Advisory Committee Wales.
As well as coaching start-up and growth businesses across Wales and England on innovation and sustainable growth, Peter was Chair of Citizens Advice Cardiff and Vale for nine years, where he remains a Trustee. He previously sat on the investment panel for the Welsh Council for Voluntary Action’s Social Business Growth and Community Asset Development Funds and is a Fellow of the RSA.
Peter said: “I first met Gareth & Mandy a number of years ago, while working as a coach on the Welsh Government’s Accelerated Growth Programme. It was clear to me then that the company had a lot of potential, and that we shared a vision for growing businesses with a high standard of purpose and performance.
“TownSq has already achieved some incredible things – going from one space in North Wales and a couple of employees, to 35 members of staff and over 1,500 members across nine workspaces across the UK.
“In such uncertain times, Wales and the UK needs its entrepreneurs as never before to support its economic success. With its experience bringing underused buildings back to the forefront of communities, and creating workspaces that foster growth, TownSq is in a fantastic position to lead on issues that affect the lifeblood of our economy – entrepreneurs and small businesses.
“There is so much potential in this company to make a real impact, and I’m proud to be able to contribute and be part of the next stage of TownSq’s journey.”
COO of TownSq, Mandy Weston said, “We’re incredibly grateful for the support and guidance of Dylan over the years; our ideals of enabling businesses in Wales and across the UK to start and grow remain firm, and we will of course continue to work with him through his Ideas Community projects.
“We’re delighted to welcome Peter into the role of Chair. Peter’s worked with us in a Board Advisory role for a while now, and his ideals and experience were a perfect fit as we move on to a more mature stage of business.
“Peter’s already challenged us to think differently, and his vast experience guiding companies through rapid growth into more consistent operation has been invaluable. There is a lot of work to do as we continue to grow our business support offering, further develop our portfolio of spaces and look to build more partnerships here in Wales and across the UK. In Peter, we have appointed someone that will ensure we continue to grow sustainably, while staying true to our core values. We’re delighted to have him at our side.”
