GlobalWelsh, Wales’ independent not-for-profit diaspora organisation, announces that David Wright has become a GlobalWelsh Founding Patron. The globally renowned pharma executive is the latest individual to invest in the organisation and support its mission to find and connect the Welsh diaspora around the world for economic benefit to Wales.

David was born and raised in Machen. As a young man he led a successful rugby career, playing at first class level for Cardiff, Pontypool, Leicester and Nottingham. Today, David is CEO and shareholder of Paris-based HRA Pharma (owner of brands such as Compeed , ellaOne and Mederma), and is recognised globally as a leader in over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceuticals.

“For aspiring young people, being part of the GlobalWelsh community is becoming an invaluable source of knowledge and connections that can help them maintain their relationship with Wales, wherever their lives or careers may take them.”

David left Wales and started his career in the industry with Boots Consumer Healthcare and then went on to work for Novartis and Boehringer Ingelheim where he eventually became Global CEO of the Consumer Healthcare Division. In this role he had global responsibility of Boehringer Ingelheim’s activities in the OTC space which saw him generating sales across in 63 countries and 1.8 billion EUR in turnover.

In his capacity as GlobalWelsh Founding Patron David will share his global knowledge, experience and Welsh passion to help GlobalWelsh grow and scale its community and initiatives around the world, he comments: “Having spent most of my adult life living and working in other countries, I know the longing you feel to connect back to Wales. GlobalWelsh is giving me and other diaspora around the world a platform to do this. For aspiring young people, being part of the GlobalWelsh community is becoming an invaluable source of knowledge and connections that can help them maintain their relationship with Wales, wherever their lives or careers may take them. With the changes in international relations and continuing globalisation, GlobalWelsh is both timely and necessary.”

Other GlobalWelsh Founding Patrons include: Warren East (CEO of Rolls-Royce), Heath Davies (formerly CEO of Clearswift), David Stevens (CEO of Admiral Group), Mike Powell (Chairman of Flybondi), Phil Buck (investor and businessman), David Buttress (investor and former CEO of JustEat UK), Lyndon Faulkner (CEO of Pelican Products) and the late Bernard Jones (philanthropist and businessman) as well as Welsh Rugby Union, Blue Stag, Bangor University, the Development Bank of Wales and Odgers Berndtson.

“With the changes in international relations and continuing globalisation, GlobalWelsh is both timely and necessary.”

Later this year David will host a GlobalWelsh Academy Masterclass for members of the community working in the growing life sciences sector. GlobalWelsh founder and CEO, Walter May, comments:

“It’s a pleasure to have someone as dynamic, successful and globally recognised as David on board. He’s proof that as a nation we have exported a lot of world class talent, many of which have reached a point in their lives, careers, when they are looking to connect and give back. Part of our role is to find them and give them the means to do this. I have no doubt the value that David has to offer our community and thank him for his generosity and support so far.”