City's chief is ready to step down

- November 12 2009

A Trimsaran man with one of the top jobs in Wales has announced he is to retire as chief executive of Cardiff Council after 17 years.

Byron Davies, who was born at 23 Heol Waun y Clun, is one of the longest-serving chief executives in local government. He has been in public service for 40 years — 30 of which have been spent serving the capital city of Wales.

The former Trimsaran, Ysgol y Strade and Gwendraeth Grammar school pupil said he wanted to spend more time with his wife and two children.

He said: "I'm 62-years-old and that's one of the reasons I am going to spend more time with my wife and two children. I'm going to have a break over Christmas and then decide what to do.

"It's been a great period though, a great job."

Byron was first appointed as the chief executive of South Glamorgan in 1992 before becoming the first chief executive of the new Cardiff unitary authority in 1995.

He played a major role in the development of Cardiff Airport, the Millennium Stadium, the Wales Millennium Centre, the regeneration of the city centre, and the transfer of responsibility for Cardiff Bay from the Welsh Assembly Government to the Cardiff Harbour Authority, the development of Cardiff City Football Club, the International Sports Village and Glamorgan Cricket Club.

Byron said he still looks back on his upbringing in the county with fondness. He said: "I was raised among wonderful people in what was a close-knit village community — that has always provided me with a good basis for a life perspective.

"I don't get back as often as I'd like but I've always kept an eye on what has been going on in Carmarthenshire. It's a great county."

Byron has held Non-Executive director roles for Cardiff Wales International Airport,

Cardiff Chamber of Commerce, has been an ex-officio member of the Council and Court

of the University of Wales and Secretary to the Lord Chancellors' Advisory Committee.

He is currently a non-executive director of the Wales Millennium Stadium and the Wales

North America Chamber and also Clerk to the Lieutenancy for South Glamorgan.

His contribution to local government in Wales was recognised with the award of an OBE in 2008.

During 2009 he was elected President of UDiTE (Federation of Local Authority Chief Executives in Europe).

Story Credit - www.thisissouthwales.co.uk