Swansea University will host a major industry editorial board bringing together senior figures from industry, education and the public sector to examine how Neath Port Talbot can turn industrial transition into a new era of investment, advanced manufacturing and clean growth. Taking place on Friday 18 September, the discussion will form part of the launch programme for INFORM, Business News Wales' new approach to putting industry evidence, expertise and experience closer to the heart of its journalism and wider economic conversations. The Neath Port Talbot Regional Growth Editorial Board will bring together leaders representing some of the organisations playing an important role in the region's economic future. Participants will include senior representatives from UK Government, Neath Port Talbot Council, Swansea University, Celtic Freeport, So Modular, Winfield Energy, the Global Centre of Rail Excellence, Tata Steel UK, Andrew Scott and ColegauCymru. The two-hour discussion will explore a central question: What does Neath Port Talbot need over the next five years to move from managing industrial transition to becoming one of Wales' strongest locations for investment, advanced manufacturing and clean growth? The conversation comes at a significant moment for the region. Neath Port Talbot has long been one of Wales' most important industrial economies, but the area is now navigating major economic and industrial change. At the same time, the region has significant assets and emerging opportunities across advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, infrastructure, skills, innovation and the Celtic Freeport. The editorial board will explore four connected themes: industrial opportunity; investment and infrastructure; skills and innovation; and leadership and delivery. Rather than prepared speeches, participants will be encouraged to contribute practical experience and evidence about the barriers businesses and investors are encountering, opportunities that are not yet being fully realised, examples of what is already working and the interventions that could make a measurable difference to investment and business confidence. Professor Paul Boyle, Vice-Chancellor of Swansea University, said: "Universities have an important role to play in supporting economic transformation, not only through research and innovation, but by developing skills, supporting collaboration and helping to connect new ideas with industry.   "Neath Port Talbot has a proud industrial heritage but it is critical that leaders from all sectors look ahead to what the future could hold for of our local economy .   "In line with our continued commitment to regional cross-sector partnership, Swansea University is delighted to host this discussion, which we hope will contribute positively to the conversation about how we build on our region's strengths and create new opportunities for investment, innovation and sustainable growth." Vicki Evans, Director of Editorial Strategy at Business News Wales, said: "Neath Port Talbot is at a pivotal point in its economic story. There has understandably been considerable focus on the scale of industrial change taking place, but we also need to have a much bigger conversation about what comes next.   "The region has an extraordinary concentration of industrial expertise, infrastructure, skills and emerging investment opportunities. Our aim with this Editorial Board is to bring together people with direct experience of those opportunities and ask what needs to happen now to turn that potential into long-term economic growth.   "INFORM is about ensuring that the experience and evidence of people working across the Welsh economy is captured, communicated and used to inform a wider conversation about our economic future.   "We're delighted Swansea University is hosting this discussion and look forward to hearing what this exceptional group of leaders believes Neath Port Talbot needs to prioritise over the next five years." Chris Martin, Chair of Celtic Freeport, said:  “The Celtic Freeport presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to accelerate economic growth across Neath Port Talbot and establish the region as a leading centre for clean energy, advanced manufacturing and industrial investment.   “The focus now must be on turning that potential into reality. Bringing together leaders from industry, education, government and regional organisations is essential to identifying opportunities, tackling barriers and accelerating progress.   “With the Celtic Freeport, world-class industrial assets and emerging clean-energy sectors, Neath Port Talbot is well placed to lead the next chapter of industrial growth in Wales.” Professor Dave Worsley, Swansea University, said: “Neath Port Talbot has an opportunity to demonstrate how an established industrial economy can successfully evolve for the next generation. The region already has considerable strengths in manufacturing and engineering, but increasingly its competitiveness will depend on how effectively we connect those capabilities with innovation, research, new technologies and the skills that future industries will require.   “Swansea University has a significant role to play in that. We want to see the knowledge, research and expertise within our universities translated into practical economic opportunities – helping existing businesses to innovate and grow, supporting the development of new industries and creating high-value opportunities that encourage talented people to build their careers in the region.   “That cannot happen in isolation. It requires much stronger connections between universities, colleges, employers, investors and the public sector, with a shared understanding of where the region wants to be over the next five to ten years.   “This discussion is an important opportunity to bring those perspectives together. Neath Port Talbot has experienced considerable economic change, but it also possesses significant industrial assets and capabilities. If we can align investment, innovation and skills behind those strengths, there is a real opportunity to create a more productive, resilient and competitive regional economy.” Evidence captured through the session will be developed into Business News Wales editorial coverage, expert analysis and thought leadership, alongside an executive summary and key findings. Relevant findings will also be shared with policymakers, institutions and other stakeholders, while future Business News Wales coverage will track progress against the priorities identified by the board.