Posthumous award for WDA official

David Griffiths died shortly after hearing he would receive the honour

A senior Welsh Development Agency (WDA) official has been posthumously honoured by the German government weeks after his sudden death.

David Griffiths, 52, who chaired the German-British Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Wales, died in April.

Shortly before, Germany had decided to award him its prestigious Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit.

It was accepted by his German-born mother at a ceremony in Bridgend on Monday.

Mr Griffiths, from Bridgend, was told he would receive the honour in early April, and was invited to receive it at the German embassy in London in May.

Peter Ferris, who became a friend through his business dealings, said: "He was very proud of it.

"Only one of these honours is given out by the German government every year to people who have worked with them or in other countries with German businesses."

Presentation

Mr Ferris and his business partner Danny Chang came to know Mr Griffiths through their south Wales-based firm Nutopia Chang, whose projects have included work with German film companies.

Mr Griffiths, who had been manager of the international division of the WDA, died in late April after being hit by a London-bound train on April 29.

The German government has invited his friends and colleagues to a presentation to his 80-year-old mother, Wiebka Griffiths, at Bryngarw House, in Bryngarw Country Park, Bridgend, on Monday afternoon.

The award will be handed over by Martin Langer, first secretary of economics, at the German embassy.

Mr Ferris said: "David had such a business brain, he wasn't a tick-box man.

"He was a wonderful, wonderful man. He had a vision and while most people unfortunately are inward looking, he could see what Wales could be internationally."

An inquest into Mr Griffiths' death has been opened and adjourned.