Darren Hassey, Chief Operating Officer at Penn Pharma said, "Gordon Brown demonstrated great depth during our discussions. He showed real concern about training and employment for young people and was readily able to adapt his response from the holistic and policy driven to the personal and individual. He listened with intent to the points raised and showed a desire to find sustainable solutions."

Darren was also one of 25 business leaders from across Wales who attended a meeting with the Chancellor at the Ford plant in Bridgend.

He said, "The Chancellor demonstrated a commitment to connect with businesses and the issues they face. He answered questions both openly and with passion, and it was clear the Chancellor wanted to hear what business leaders thought and to best understand how he and the Government could assist."

Among the attendees to the meeting were Huw Owen from Owens Transport, John Knox from Antur Insurance, Mike Cox from Vale Inco, Mike Grimwood from Peters Food Services, Louise Casella from Cardiff University, John Smith from Buy As You View, Tom Griffin from General Dynamics and Robert Bizzell from Corus.

Ian Price, assistant director of CBI Wales, said, "The meeting with the Chancellor was very constructive and our members and business from across Wales were given the opportunity to discuss taxation, climate change, pensions and empty property rate relief.

"The Chancellor was in listening mode and has promised to look into some the issues that were raised."