Former CBI Wales Director Ian Price awarded OBE for services to business
Former CBI Wales Director Ian Price awarded OBE for services to business
Ian Price, a well-known figure in the Welsh business community and former Director of CBI Wales, has been awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in recognition of his outstanding contribution to business and industry in Wales and across the UK.
In a statement following the announcement, Price reflected on his personal and professional journey, sharing a deeply personal message of gratitude.
“I was brought up in a council house in the Swansea Valley in the 1960s,” he said. “I was an average footballer and an even more average pupil. I found every scam I could to avoid studying at school and left with pretty average results. I had nine brilliant years in the RAF, but again, I did just enough to get by.”
Price credits a major turning point in his life to the birth of his daughter — a moment that drove him to take life more seriously and build a lasting career in business.
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“After she was born, I knew I had to knuckle down. I fell into the world of recruitment and had a great time at both JGR and Acorn, working with some truly wonderful people.”
His career took a pivotal shift when he joined the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), where he would go on to serve for two decades, representing the interests of Welsh businesses at the highest levels.
“My 20 years at the CBI have been the most brilliant of my working life,” he said. “I’ve had the privilege of working alongside some of the best colleagues you could ask for and have made lifelong friends. It hasn’t always been easy, but I was fortunate to be surrounded by people who helped steer the organisation through some very challenging periods.”
Throughout his time at CBI Wales, Price was a strong advocate for Welsh business, helping to raise the profile of the region’s economic potential and navigating complex issues facing employers.
“The members of the CBI are genuinely the best. This OBE is not just for me — it’s a team effort. I couldn’t have achieved it without the support, guidance, and encouragement of so many people. I can’t name everyone, but I hope you know who you are. Thank you for everything — I am eternally grateful.”
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