Wales’ ‘Brain Drain’, problem or opportunity?

Much has been written about ‘brain drain’ of late and the challenges faced by many countries through the loss of talent and the negative effects this has on economic performance. This challenge is especially acute for smaller countries that often lack the career opportunities that ambitious people aspire to. These opportunities are then easily accessed in other countries with low barriers to entry. In recent years, the general acceptance of hybrid working has reduced the need to leave, but the ‘brain drain’ is still a real and tangible issue for many small countries including Wales

For us in Wales, (read more here >>), the challenge is further exacerbated by our rural make-up. It’s these areas which often have the greatest need but the biggest challenge of retaining or attracting back lost talent.  With our industrial history based on heavy industry, Wales is in a protracted period of transition to a knowledge-based economy. We are a country with a large rural landscape and a strong need to start and grow indigenous businesses, and are particularly vulnerable to losing talent that can easily move out to more prosperous locations within neighbouring England. London is a particular magnet for Welsh talent with approximately 400,000 members of the Welsh diaspora in the south east of England.

"We are a country with a large rural landscape and a strong need to start and grow indigenous businesses, and are particularly vulnerable to losing talent that can easily move out to more prosperous locations within neighbouring England."

My own research into Diaspora Entrepreneurship (available on request), clearly demonstrated that very few leavers return to Wales. Those that do, however, tend to have a disproportionately positive impact on the economy. A programme to encourage returners could well be justified and provide a significant return on investment. To my knowledge no such programme has ever been implemented in Wales, but with the advent of AI, social and business digital networks, now might be the time to consider doing so. Indeed, as an organisation focused on connecting Welsh diaspora around the world, GlobalWelsh would relish the opportunity to work with Wales-based stakeholders to pilot a programme to tackle this and have already developed an approach that works.

Expectations of attracting a large number of returners in a short space of time is unrealistic.  In the short to medium term, while piloting a returners programme, we would do well to focus on how we can celebrate those that have left, the things they’ve achieved and, more importantly, leverage their goodwill and support for Wales from afar.

"My own research into Diaspora Entrepreneurship, clearly demonstrated that very few leavers return to Wales. Those that do, however, tend to have a disproportionately positive impact on the economy."

Many argue that Wales doesn’t have a clear enough global identity, loses out to other regions of the UK from an inward investment point of view and often fails to get the credit for its achievements. There is undoubtedly some truth in this view. It's time we found ways to address this in order to gain our share of economic opportunities that the UK attracts.  The best, and largely untapped, method of addressing this issue is to consider the (upwards of) three million Welsh diaspora as global advocates that can sell Wales to the world and help build our global identity as an attractive place to work, live and play.  

Our Celtic neighbours, Scotland and Ireland, have been doing this for decades and reaping the benefits. Interestingly, England doesn’t have any structured approach to diaspora engagement. By contrast, Wales, via organisations like GlobalWelsh, Darogan Talent and Sgema, have finally woken up to the value of its diaspora and have leapfrogged other nations in its modern, self-funded approach to identifying and working with our talented leavers.  Not only connecting them back to Wales but connecting them to each other.  Other countries are now looking to Wales and seeking to emulate our approach.

"The best, and largely untapped, method of addressing this issue is to consider the (upwards of) three million Welsh diaspora as global advocates that can sell Wales to the world and help build our global identity as an attractive place to work, live and play."

The evidence strongly suggests that the benefits of a collaborative diaspora engagement strategy are huge and potentially transformational over time. So if we can’t convince talent to return, how might we mobilise their goodwill and benefit from their success?  The answer is very positive and spans a wide range of activities such as:

• Knowledge of markets and industries - for smarter exporting
• Mentoring - learning from the diverse experience of our diaspora
• Networks - connections to open doors to new opportunities
• Investment - smart money from within the diaspora
• Homecomings - celebration of success and engagement of diaspora

All of the above positive outcomes have been proven with many examples from the work GlobalWelsh and other diaspora networks have been doing in recent years.

The opportunity now, in these challenging, social and financial times, is to build on this success and do so at scale and with an increased sense of urgency.  This requires the coming together of multiple stakeholders, private and public, that share the desire to innovate and complement each other. Organisations such as GlobalWelsh, Darogan Talent, regional city/growth deals, Welsh Government and sports bodies such as the WRU and FAW, could form a compelling #StrongerTogether consortium.

"The opportunity now, in these challenging, social and financial times, is to build on this success and do so at scale and with an increased sense of urgency. This requires the coming together of multiple stakeholders, private and public, that share the desire to innovate and complement each other."

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GlobalWelsh is an evidence-based organisation and have carried out multiple year research into the attitudes toward Wales of our North American Diaspora and the propensity of our diaspora to invest in a fund to support the growth of Welsh entrepreneur led businesses - Diaspora Direct Investment (DDI). This research strongly indicated tens of millions of DDI is possible.

We are in the process of commissioning academic-led research into Brain Drain and returners. This body of evidence would provide the foundation for Wales to develop a game changing plan, that could lead to significant and measurable impact on the Welsh economy within the medium to long term.

We are happy to play our part and orchestrate an approach, starting with a round table event (possible conference), to explore how we can leverage this amazing resource of Welsh talent and bring them home, if not permanently, in ways that are meaningful for us all. Hiraeth is alive and well within 3 million people living amazing lives all over the world.

If you are interested in getting involved and carrying on the discussion please email walter@globalwelsh.com expressing your particular interest in the topic.