A NEW courtyard in Swansea will be named in honour of an “irreplaceable” council officer who was said to have left an indelible mark on the city.
Property development manager Huw Mowbray, who died last October, was involved in the drawing up and implementation of several city centre regeneration schemes, including the new high-tech office building on The Kingsway which will open this year.
At the rear of this office building, called 71/72 Kingsway, will be a new courtyard, and it will be called Mowbray’s Yard.
Councillors paid tribute to Mr Mowbray at a meeting before agreeing the naming proposal. Council leader Rob Stewart described him as a widely respected “force of nature” and that his commemoration would be a “fitting permanent addition” to the city centre.
Opposition leader Chris Holley said he couldn’t think of a better tribute for someone he had worked closely with for years. “He really has been a source of inspiration for many people,” said Cllr Holley.
Cllr Peter Black said Mr Mowbray had made significant contributions to the regeneration of Swansea. “Losing him is a massive blow to this council – I think he’s irreplaceable,” he said.
Mr Mowbray, a married father-of-two, of Furnace, Llanelli, was 59 when he died. His work at the authority went back many years. A report before full council said projects in which he was involved included what was then the Liberty Stadium – now the Swansea.com Stadium – two decades ago. He was also a key player for the council in the more recent £135 million Copr Bay project, featuring Swansea Arena, and the revamp of Wind Street. His dedication, vision and tireless efforts, said the report, have left “an indelible mark on our city”.
It added: “In honouring Huw with the naming of Mowbray’s Yard, we not only pay tribute to his professional accomplishments but also recognise the genuine and lasting relationships he built within our community. Huw was not just a skilled property development manager; he was a cherished colleague and a friend to many.”
Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, cabinet member for investment, regeneration, events and tourism, said Mr Mowbray’s death was a sad loss to his family and to the council. He recalled people from all over the world recognising Mr Mowbray at property investment events. “He was one those officers who really excelled,” he said. “He was Swansea through and through.”
