Kenneth Christian Skates (born 2 April 1976)[1] is a Welsh Labour politician who has served as Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales since March 2024.[2] Skates has represented the constituency of Clwyd South in the Senedd since the election of 2011. He is an alumnus of the University of Cambridge, and worked as a journalist prior to becoming a politician. In September 2014 he became the deputy minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport. From May 2016 to December 2018 he was the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills, and was the Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales until he stood down on 13 May 2021.[3] He held Economy, Transport and North Wales position again between July and September 2024 when he assumed the economy portfolio.[4]
Ken Skates | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2024 | |
| Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales | |
| Assumed office 21 March 2024 | |
| First Minister | |
| Preceded by | Lesley Griffiths |
| Cabinet Secretary for the Economy | |
| In office 17 July 2024 – 11 September 2024 | |
| First Minister | |
| Preceded by | Jeremy Miles |
| Succeeded by | Rebecca Evans |
| Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales | |
| In office 19 May 2016 – 13 May 2021 | |
| First Minister | Carwyn Jones Mark Drakeford |
| Preceded by | Edwina Hart |
| Succeeded by | Vaughan Gething |
| Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism | |
| In office 12 September 2014 – 19 May 2016 | |
| First Minister | Carwyn Jones |
| Preceded by | John Griffiths |
| Succeeded by | Dafydd Elis-Thomas |
| Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology | |
| In office June 2013 – September 2014 | |
| First Minister | Carwyn Jones |
| Preceded by | Jeff Cuthbert |
| Succeeded by | Julie James |
| Member of the Senedd for Clwyd South | |
| Assumed office 6 May 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Karen Sinclair |
| Majority | 2,953 (21.1%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Kenneth Christian Skates 2 April 1976 Wrexham, Wales |
| Political party | Welsh Labour |
| Alma mater | Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge |
| Website | www |
Early life and career
editSkates was born in Wrexham, Wales, and attended Ysgol y Waun in Gwernaffield and the Alun School, Mold, where he studied A-levels in physics, maths, English and politics. After achieving four A grades he went to Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge to study social and political sciences, specialising in European regional policy and economics.[1][5]
After graduating, Skates took a gap-period in the United States, before joining The Leader (Wrexham) newspaper. He studied for his NVQ in journalism at Yale College, Wrexham, and then went freelance working for the Daily Express.[6]
Politics
editWhilst working as a freelance journalist, Skates began working as office manager for Mark Tami, Welsh Labour MP for Alyn and Deeside.[6] Skates was the lead Labour candidate for the North Wales regional seat in 2007 but wasn't elected. In 2011 he stood and was elected with 42% of the vote in Clwyd South,[7] and was re-elected in 2016.
In 2012 he was one of four MSs to stand up in the Senedd chamber to talk about their experiences with mental health problems.[5]
In June 2013, Skates was appointed by Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones as Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology.[8] In a reshuffle in September 2014 he was made Deputy Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport in September 2014,[9] replacing John Griffiths.[10]
Following his re-election as MS for Clwyd South in the May 2016 Senedd elections, Ken Skates was promoted to Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills in the Welsh Government.
In the formation of the Drakeford government in December 2018, Skates was appointed Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales. After the May 2021 Senedd elections, Skates stepped down from the government, and his role was split into two.[11] Vaughan Gething became the new Minister for the Economy, while Lesley Griffiths took over responsibility for North Wales as the new Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales.[12]
He was re-appointed Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales in March 2024.[2] He also held the economy portfolio from July and September 2024 following the resignation of that portfolio's holder.[4][13]
References
edit- ^ a b "SKATES, Kenneth Christian". Who's Who. Vol. 2019 (online ed.). A & C Black. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
- ^ a b "First Minister Vaughan Gething announces new Welsh Government Cabinet | GOV.WALES". www.gov.wales. 21 March 2024. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
- ^ "Being re-elected as Member of the Senedd for Clwyd South is a huge honour. It has been a privilege to work with constituents over the last ten years to improve and champion our area, and I will continue to work as hard as I possibly can. (1/5)". Archived from the original on 13 May 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
- ^ a b "Vaughan Gething reshuffles Welsh Labour top team after resignations". The Independent. 17 July 2024.
- ^ a b Henry, Graham (17 February 2010). "Ken Skates: 'I thought speech on mental health had ruled me out of promotion'". WalesOnline. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
- ^ a b "About". KenSkates.co.uk. Archived from the original on 3 June 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
- ^ "Election results for Clwyd South". National Assembly for Wales. Archived from the original on 10 September 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
- ^ "Huw Lewis is named Wales education minister". BBC News. 26 June 2013. Archived from the original on 2 July 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
- ^ "New Cabinet announced by First Minister". Welsh Government. 11 September 2014. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
- ^ "New Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport & Tourism, Ken Skates AM". CILIP. 18 September 2014. Archived from the original on 2 June 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
- ^ "Wales election: New health and education ministers in reshuffle". BBC News. 13 May 2021. Archived from the original on 24 May 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
- ^ "Ken Skates leaves Cabinet role in Welsh Labour reshuffle". The Leader. Archived from the original on 21 May 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
- ^ "Welsh government reshuffle: Miles back as minister after ousting Gething". BBC News. 11 September 2024. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
External links
editMedia related to Ken Skates at Wikimedia Commons
- Official website
- – Senedd Member details