Cabinet Secretary for Transport and
North Wales
Key interests and achievements
In his free time, Ken enjoys
running, swimming, hiking and curling as well as having an interest in
gardening, art and architectural design. His political interests include skills
training, tourism, environmental protection, mental health, sport and fitness
and social inclusion.
Personal history
Ken Skates was born in 1976 in
Wrexham, educated at Mold Alun School and went on to study Social and Political
Science at Cambridge University.
Professional background
Ken was previously a journalist
at the Wrexham Leader newspaper, and BBC Wales in Wrexham. He was PA to Mark
Tami MP.
Political history
In 2008, he was elected a
community councillor. Ken’s policy interests include manufacturing, mental
health, sport and leisure, eliminating poverty and political economy.
Ken was appointed to the Welsh
Government as Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology in 2011. He was then
appointed Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism in 2014 and promoted
to Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure in May 2016.