One of Wales most respected entrepreneurs Sir Roger Jones has died

Sir Roger, who has died aged 83, was a the last chair of the Welsh Development Agency and a great champion for Wales

One of Wales’ most respected entrepreneurs and last chairman of the Welsh Development Agency, Sir Roger Jones, has died aged 83.

Born into a Welsh first language household in Corwen, the second son of parents Richard and Gwladys, he attended Bala Boys’ Grammar School and later the Welsh School of Pharmacy in Cardiff, before beginning his career with the Wellcome Foundation, where he held senior roles in Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

He later founded Penn Pharmaceuticals, which relocated to Tredegar in the 1980s, before he exited after it was acquired in a management buyout.

Sir Roger, who lived in Battle, Powys, was a larger than life character with a warmth and great sense of humour. At business events he worked the room with aplomb, often with a fine glass of red in hand.

He was a passionate Welshman and advocate for the language, and took every opportunity when on business internationally to promote Wales as a potential investment location. His entrepreneurial spirit, like that of so many naturally born wealth creators, was not driven by any thought of monetary gain, but by the excitement and adrenaline of starting new businesses.

As a philanthropist he gave to many good causes, including cancer charity Maggie’s.

While at heart an entrepreneur, in public life he had astute political antennae. He remained though a refreshingly straight talker, although often with a disarming smile. His language could be visually descriptive. When discussing a role for a well-known entrepreneur with the Welsh Government he told me: “He will be like a fox in a chicken coop.” His passion for learning and promoting opportunities, particularly for young people, saw him chairing training organisation Gwent TEC and later TEC Southeast Wales.

In 2002, he was appointed chairman of the Welsh Development Agency, only for, two years into his three-year term, then First Minister Rhodri Morgan to decide to bring the WDA into the Welsh Government in 2004.

Its then chief executive, Graham Hawker, dramatically told an Assembly economic development committee that he felt ill-equipped to lead the agency into a new structure within the civil service.

Sir Roger, whose relationship with his chief executive it would be fair to say had become strained, in contrast said he accepted the decision – although he had reservations – of a democratically elected government and remained as chair until it was formally disbanded in 2006.

He also served as chairman of the Broadcasting Council for Wales while representing the interests of Wales on the governing board of the BBC. He also served on the board of the Welsh-language channel S4C.

He was always happy to give advice and support to fellow entrepreneurs, particularly those in the start-up phase. He was guided by wanting to see a more thriving private sector-focused Welsh economy. He was also a strong voice for the interests of rural Wales and had a passion for fishing and shooting. He also served for more than a decade as Wales’ honorary consul to Estonia.

Sir Roger was an investor in, and chair of, Bridgend-based innovative wound-care venture Zoobiotic, which was one of the first commercial spinouts from the NHS – via Bro Morgannwg NHS Trust – in 2004.

He played a pivotal role in the commercialisation of larval therapy wound care products company and it becoming the market’s biggest player in 2013 when it acquired German rival BioMonde, which it now trades as.

He also chaired BBC charity Children in Need. Following the death of serial sex offender Jimmy Savile, Sir Roger confirmed, based on rumours and a gut instinct, that he had barred Savile from having any involvement with the charity, although without the evidence at the time to inform the police.

As chair, he believed it was his duty to act, with others, to protect staff. Having received an OBE in 1996, he was knighted in 2013 in recognition of his services to business and training in Wales.

Other roles included chairing the governing body of Swansea University, where he played a key role in helping to create its school of medicine. He was still actively involved in numerous business and other projects up until his death.

In a statement on LinkedIn, BioMonde said of Sir Roger: “His relationship with fellow directors was defined by absolute integrity and a shared devotion to the company’s mission. Sir Roger’s steadfast support for the business and its operational efforts never faltered, whether navigating the complex early days of an NHS spin-out, securing vital investment, or championing the landmark international acquisition of BioMonde that cemented the company’s position as a global leader in larval debridement therapy.

“Even as he transitioned to the role of life president, his dedication to the company’s progress and the well-being of its workforce remained absolute.

“Sir Roger’s work directly contributed to alleviating human suffering and saving limbs, a source of enormous pride for everyone privileged to work alongside him. He was not only a titan of Welsh industry and a passionate champion of life sciences, but also a mentor, a gentleman, and a deeply valued friend to many.

“While we celebrate his incredible life and the profound impact of his accomplishments, we also greatly mourn his passing. The void left by his absence will be felt deeply across our entire organisation.”

Sir Roger was also a founding fellow of the Learned Society of Wales. Its president, and former S4C chair and board member of the BBC, Elan Closs Stephens, said: “Sir Roger was a distinguished researcher and entrepreneur and a leading figure in the public life of Wales. He brought his creativity, curiosity and energy to all his many projects. Above all, he was ambitious for Wales and showed it in his roles in the WDA and the BBC .

“He was ambitious that Wales could lead the way in the new field of bio therapy. It was ambition for Wales that led him to be a founding fellow of the Learned Society of Wales. He wanted Wales to have an academy similar to the Royal Society that could develop and share ideas and knowledge. We owe him an immense debt as we honour his memory.”

Sir Roger, whose wife, Lady Ann, died last year, is survived by his daughter Bryony, son Hefin, and three grandchildren, Tomos, Aneira and Cerys.