Dr Barrie Kennard
The entrepreneur who created Oakwood theme park and the award-winning Bluestone National Park Resort will share his business insights at a special event in Pembrokeshire.
William McNamara OBE, chief executive of Bluestone, will talk on ‘Building the future from within’ at the resort on Thursday, January 30, at an event organised by Leadership and Management Wales (LMW), the Welsh Government’s centre for excellence for private sector leadership and management development.
Mr McNamara will provide an insight into the challenges and opportunities of leading the growth and development of this highly acclaimed five star short break destination, and explain how the leadership team are planning for the future of Bluestone.
Born and bred in Pembrokeshire into a dairy farming family, Mr McNamara originally turned his ambitions and entrepreneurial skills to create Oakwood theme park, and then had the vision to create a world-class, all-year, all-weather short-break destination in West Wales.
After leaving the then family owned Oakwood business, and10 years in the planning, Bluestone was opened in 2008, creating a luxury resort with a strong ethos on sustainability and the environment.
The event is part of LMW’s series, The Challenge – an interactive leadership masterclass for current and aspiring leaders and managers in private sector businesses in Wales.
“This event provides a great opportunity to hear from one of Wales’ most inspirational business leaders,” said LMW director, Dr Barrie Kennard.
“Oakwood and Bluestone are brands that are recognised throughout Wales and well beyond, and hearing from the man who created them will be hugely valuable for anyone in a leadership or management position.”
A few places are left at this free event. They can be booked at www.lmw.org.uk/events or by phoning Leadership & Management Wales on 029 2087 6560.
Leadership & Management Wales is the centre for excellence for leadership and management skills in Wales. It is part of the Enhancing Leadership and Management Skills (ELMS) programme. ELMS is part funded by the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government.
