New NRW Growth Strategy Faces Questions Over Past Governance Failures

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has launched its new Sustainable Growth and Value Strategy 2027–2031 at this year’s Royal Welsh Show, setting out plans to generate greater environmental, social and economic value from the land and natural resources it manages. The strategy promises to increase commercial income through sustainable timber production, renewable energy, recreation and investment, with profits reinvested into nature recovery, climate resilience and tackling pollution.

Launching the strategy, Sarah Jennings, NRW’s Executive Director of Communications, Customer and Commercial, said Wales’ natural environment was “one of our greatest assets” and that the organisation would work with businesses, communities and investors to deliver sustainable growth while ensuring “nature and people thrive together.”

However, the launch has also revived memories of one of the organisation’s most damaging governance scandals.

In 2018, the Wales Audit Office found that NRW had lost taxpayers around £1 million by awarding a major timber contract without testing the market through open competition. The Auditor General also found that the organisation had awarded further timber contracts without competitive tendering and, in some cases, proceeded despite internal legal advice warning the arrangements posed risks under European state aid rules.

The report concluded that the auditor could not be satisfied the contracts had been awarded lawfully and criticised NRW’s procurement processes and governance. The findings ultimately contributed to the resignation of the organisation’s chair and prompted NRW to commission an independent review into its handling of the timber sales.

At the time, NRW accepted the criticism. Chief Executive Clare Pillman apologised for failing to secure the best value from timber sales and pledged to learn lessons to ensure similar failures would not happen again.

The contrast between that history and the ambitions outlined in the new strategy is likely to attract scrutiny.

The new strategy repeatedly emphasises value for money, sound governance, environmental protection and evidence-based decision-making. It also commits NRW to creating investment-ready projects, strengthening commercial partnerships and increasing timber sales while ensuring environmental safeguards remain at the heart of its work.

For some campaigners, however, the issue is one of trust rather than policy.

Residents involved in ongoing concerns over alleged illegal dumping on the Ynys have questioned whether NRW is consistently following its own professional advice and enforcing environmental law. While those concerns are separate from the historic timber procurement failures, campaigners argue the earlier audit findings demonstrate that NRW has, in the past, failed to follow internal legal advice, making public confidence an important issue.

Whether the organisation has fully addressed the governance weaknesses identified by auditors remains a matter of public interest as NRW embarks on its latest strategy, which promises that environmental protection and public value will remain central to every decision it makes.

Growth and value for Wales’ natural resources

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has launched its new Sustainable Growth and Value Strategy 2027–2031 at the Royal Welsh Show, setting out how it will generate greater benefits for nature, communities and the economy from the land and natural resources in its care.

The strategy outlines how NRW will grow income and investment opportunities while continuing to put environmental protection and public value at the heart of decision-making.

Income generated through commercial activities will be reinvested towards NRW’s well-being goals to support nature’s recover, build resilience to climate change and minimise pollution.

The strategy was launched from the NRW stand at the Royal Welsh Show on Tuesday 21 July 2026 by Sarah Jennings, Executive Director of Communications, Customer and Commercial at NRW, and Ben Burggraaf, Chief Executive Officer of Net Zero Industry Wales.

A supporting Timber Sales and Marketing Plan for 2027-2031 was also launched to provide confidence in sustainable timber supply while maximising the social, environmental and economic value of Welsh forests.

During the week, NRW is engaging with customers, partners and visitors on future plans to deliver in the areas of business development, commercial recreation and renewable energy.

Together these plans will deliver investment-ready projects for nature and climate, creation of new sustainable recreation opportunities, and support renewable energy developments on the Welsh Government Woodland Estate.

The Timber Sales and Marketing Plan includes a commitment, following consideration of the sustainable management of natural resources, to bring between 835,000 and 875,000 cubic metres of timber to market each year. This will help support Welsh jobs and rural communities and give confidence to the timber sector.

Sarah Jennings, Executive Director of Communications, Customer and Commercial at NRW, said:

“Wales’ natural environment is one of our greatest assets. It supports our communities, helps tackle climate change, underpins our economy and contributes to our well-being.

“This strategy sets out how we can create more value from the land and natural resources in our care, helping us invest more in nature recovery, climate resilience and community well-being.

“By working with businesses, investors, recreation providers, renewable energy developers, timber customers and communities, we can unlock new opportunities that support sustainable growth while helping us achieve our purpose of nature and people thriving together.”

The strategy and timber action plan outline how NRW will work with partners and stakeholders to support a greener economy, create opportunities for investment and skilled jobs, and strengthen the long-term resilience of Wales’ natural resources.

Net Zero Industry Wales is an independent organisation providing guidance and support to Welsh industries on their transition to delivering net zero. Ben Burggraaf, Chief Executive Officer said:

“The transition to a net zero economy creates significant opportunities for Wales. Working together across sectors will be essential if we are to attract investment, accelerate renewable energy development and create sustainable jobs.

“This strategy demonstrates how collaboration between public bodies, communities and businesses can help deliver environmental, social and economic benefits for Wales.”

Read the Sustainable growth and value strategy 2027-2031.