Culture Bid Director announced
The Wrexham City of Culture 2029 bid trust have announced their Culture Bid Director who will lead on the bid to win the City of Culture title for Wrexham in 2029.
Wrexham staged a remarkable UK City of Culture 2025 campaign, coming runner-up to Bradfordwho hold the UK City of Culture 2025 title. Wrexham announced shortly after missing out our intention to bid for the 2029 award which would see the delivery of a year-long programme of cultural events staged in the County Borough.
A little about the new Bid Director
In an exciting development for Wrexham’s bid, Amanda Davies has recently been appointed as Culture Bid Director of the Wrexham Community & Culture Trust (WCCT) – a new independent charity based in Wrexham which has been established to lead on the delivery of Wrexham’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2029.
Amanda held several roles within Wrexham Council since 2001, all in relation to the visitor economy and business relations. She led the international award winning gallery Tŷ Pawb, was involved with all the major events within the County and was responsible for all aspects of City Centre management and business relationships.
Amanda’s motivation and passion successfully guided the Wrexham City of Culture bid to the final 4 during the 2025 competition, and her experience of the last bid has given her an insight into what is needed to secure the title for Wrexham.
Commenting on her successful appointment, Amanda said “I am delighted to have been appointed as the Culture Bid Director for WCCT.
“I am passionate about the future of Wrexham and believe that the UK City of Culture process could transform our county and show the world what Wrexham has to offer.
“I have no doubt that the development of the trust is essential in developing the cultural programme across Wrexham, showcasing the county not only nationally but internationally.
“I have a strong belief in the power of the arts and culture to create wider impact and build confidence and ambition in communities, and believe from experience how the culture bid can motivate many sectors and political parties to come together for a common purpose.
“I truly believe Wrexham deserves and will win the 2029 UK City of Culture Bid and look forward to leading the team going forward.”
WCCT Chair of Trustees Joanna Knight commented “Amanda’s skills and experience fit this role perfectly and she has the motivation, passion and experience to deliver and secure the award for Wrexham.
“I am confident that Amanda is the right person to lead the Trust to achieve our vision. WCCT are committed to supporting and developing the cultural and creative infrastructure of Wrexham in the long-term, encouraging investment in creativity and culture that will benefit the people of Wrexham and build Wrexham’s profile on the national and international stage.”
Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Planning and Public Protection, with responsibility for City of Culture, stated “I’d like to extend my warmest congratulations to Amanda Davies on securing the role of Culture Bid Director.
“Amanda’s passion and dedication to our County is unwavering, and I have full confidence in her ability to lead Wrexham’s bid for UK City of Culture 2029.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for Wrexham to showcase our unique cultural heritage and vibrant community, with Amanda at the helm, I’m confident we can achieve our goal and bring this prestigious title home.”
What is UK City of Culture?
UK City of Culture is a competition run by UK Government DCMS – Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. The designation of ‘City of Culture’ is given to a city in the United Kingdom for a period of one calendar year, during which the successful bidder hosts cultural festivities through culture-led regeneration for the year.
Wrexham’s bid for City of Culture 2029 covers the entire county, not just the city centre, and winning the competition would be a once in a lifetime opportunity for a transformational change, bringing investment, jobs, pride and an international audience to Wrexham during a year of culture in 2029 and beyond. Coventry hosted over 700 events during their year of culture in 2021 and received investment to the sum of approx. £230m. A new UK City of Culture is announced every 4 years, Bradford will host this prestigious title in 2025.
Physical and digital infrastructure will be improved as a result of developing the region through culture, with Wrexham and surrounding areas seeing a further boost in tourism as a result. Being hosts of UK City of Culture 2029 will further raise our international profile and cultural ambitions.
Cultural and community leaders drawn from the Wrexham area and across Wales sit on the WCCT Board of Trustees to lead the charities vision to nurture Wrexham’s creative potential and fulfil its mission to turbocharge Wrexham’s cultural ecosystem by collaborating, connecting, promoting and investing in Wrexham’s unique, diverse people.
It is anticipated that the bidding process for the competition will open later this year, and Wrexham will be ready to showcase why we are worthy winners!
Want to get involved? Get in touch with the team today via email on contact@wrecsam2029.wales.
