Giles Thorley

Giles joined the organisation in April 2016 with the objective of creating and launching a Development Bank for Wales. This was completed in October 2017 with the launch of DBW. Before this role, Giles was, for five years a partner at private equity firm TDR Capital LLP focusing on deal origination. Prior to this he spent nine years with Punch Taverns plc - the first year as Executive Chair, and then as Chief Executive following the IPO of the business.

He has held non-executive director roles with Esporta, Ducati SpA, Tragus Holdings, TUI Travel plc, Incorpro Ltd, D&D London and Matthew Clark Wholesale Ltd. Giles was Chair of ZipWorld plc for 5 years until the sale of the business in February 2025. He also acts as consultant/angel investor on a number of business start-ups; and is a long-serving trustee with the Rona Sailing Project.

Giles holds a law degree from the University of London and qualified as a barrister in 1990.