Welsh Expats Can Now Reconnect With Their Land Of Song

If you’re Welsh, lonely, a fan of rugby and an expat anywhere on the planet, Global Welsh is the answer.

For Welsh expatriates, it’s crucial to be able to keep their connection to the western corner of the UK that is Wales, a land of song, rugby and unique history with even its own, much-loved Welsh language – at least in the region’s north. Those who’ve become expats in a strange land inevitably feel a longing to keep in touch with their origins, with one devoted expatriate Welshman now supporting a way which makes this essential contact easier.

GlobalWelsh is the latest mission for highly successful former professional rugby player David Wright, who’s now CEO of of HRA Pharma, a pharmaceutical company based in Paris. Having played rugby for Pontypool, Cardiff, Nottingham and Leicester, he’s now proud to be a founding patron of this not-for-profit organisation which aims to connect to Welsh expats no matter where in the world they’re based. Other founding patrons include the Rolls Royce CEO Warren East as well as David Stevens, head of Admiral Group.

Mr Wright told the media he’d spent the greater part of his working life living and working overseas, far from the land of his fathers. For him, the reason behind GlobalWelsh is simple – it’s a platform on which Welsh expats can connect back to the homeland. It’s especially aimed at young people, giving them a source of knowledge and connections through which they can retain their connection with Wales no matter where their careers and lives take them. In addition, he believes globalisation and changing international relations make the idea necessary and timely.

Already, the not-for-profit, privately funded movement has members in 47 diverse countries including Japan, the USA, Canada, Sweden, Australia, Brazil and Somalia. The organisation’s CEO Walter May stresses the small nation has exported world-class Welsh talent to destinations across the planet, many of whom are now successful enough to be able to give back to the home country. GlobalWelsh, he believes, is the vehicle through which this can be achieved.