Brian Lakin is the CEO and founder of Welsh manufacturing company Sigma 3 Kitchens. Sigma has developed over the years and now supplies product to the general public via their own showrooms; to independent retailers throughout the country and trade products to builders large and small. Last year the business celebrated its 40^th Anniversary and now has a turnover exceeding £20 million, employing over 200 people.

A South Walian through and through, Brian was brought up and educated in Barry. He now runs his successful manufacturing business from a Head Office and manufacturing base in Llantrisant and has lived in the beautiful Vale of Glamorgan for the last 35 years.

From an early age, Brian demonstrated a natural aptitude for working with his hands and left school after his ‘O’ levels to work with a local cabinet maker. From there Brian moved on into carpentry, the skills learned from both jobs equipping him well to start his own business in 1975 at the age of 18.

Brian was a Trustee of Training Trust Wales for nearly 20 years. Since 2008, Brian has been Chairman of Fairwood Trust, a grant-making charity supporting education, training and skills development of individuals who have the potential to grow and contribute further to their communities.

Drawing on his own experience, Brian will expand on his theme of encouraging more young people to become entrepreneurs in Wales and the positive effect this would have on higher levels of employment and growth in our economy.