This year in Wales is the Year of Legends, so Business Argus asked the local business community: who is your Welsh legend and why?

Sarah Case, director at Broomfield & Alexander

When it comes to the word ‘legend’, how can you not think of Sir Tom Jones. Whether you love or loathe Delilah, you can’t fail to admire a career which has spanned more than 50 years, or his unfailing patriotism - it is of course always good to touch the green, green grass of home! His confidence, ability and charisma has made him a global superstar, putting Wales on the map. If that’s not a true legend, I don’t know what is!

Steve Morgan, Director of Steve Morgan Associates.

The word legend is used far too frequently but, in my opinion, Ian Rush is a true Welsh legend. As a young student, trips to watch Liverpool were out of my budget, but I was lucky enough to see Rushie score the winner against Norway in 1982 at the Vetch, Swansea. He famously scored a total of 50 goals in the 1983-84 season including three goals for Wales. He played for Wales for more than 15 years and scored the shock winner against Germany in the Euro qualifiers in 1992. He still holds the record scoring 28 goals in 73 games.

Gareth Jones, CEO of Welsh ICE.

My Welsh legend is the mathematician Robert Recorde - a man whose work we use almost every day yet goes unnoticed! Apart from Recorde, I would also nominate Sir Michael Moritz; a Cardiff lad who has had such a great impact on the tech and business scene in the US. He is one of the few (if not the only person) to be mentioned in autobiographies by Steve Jobs through to Sir Alex Ferguson, helping launch and grow every major disruptive tech business from AirBnB to Zappos, LinkedIn to YouTube.

Jean Church, chairman of The Institute of Directors in Wales

We have such a rich tapestry from which to draw. Born into a working-class family with grandparents actively involved in fighting for workers’ rights and better health through the 1920-40s, political figures who demonstrated vision, passion and dogged determination are really important to me. Figures such as Aneurin Bevan, who was not only an iconic, passionate visionary but also a tactical genius; Lady Megan Lloyd George, Wales first female MP (1929) who campaigned for a Welsh parliament and secretary of state; Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, House of Lords Crossbench Peer, chairman of ukactive and Paralympian - she has been such a force in changing the perception of disabled athletes.

Erin Davies, M4 Property Consultants, Newport

Wales has always provided a wealth of talent. Literature, art, drama, music and sport all hold claim to Welsh legends. I think Aneurin Bevan is a bit of a legend. Born into poverty, not privilege, he knew first-hand the need for change. Champion for social justice, contributor to the Welfare State and establisher of the NHS – I think that’s quite a life time of achievement.

John Newell, Kingston Newell Estate Agents, Newport

Dylan Thomas is my Welsh legend. We have a rich heritage of producing internationally acclaimed artists and writers with Dylan Thomas being at the top of my list. He transfixed audiences on both sides of the Atlantic with a catalogue of poems, plays and books that are still firm favourites with many.

Jakko Brouwers, Morrello Clinic, Newport

Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson has not only achieved almost unparrelled success during her career as an athlete. Since retiring, Tanni has worked tirelessly to change our perception of disabled athletics as well as campaigning for welfare reform to improve the opportunities for disabled people living in the UK. She is an inspiration for so many and in my opinion certainly a Welsh legend.

Leanne Fieldhouse, Practice Manager, Budget Vets

As a keen reader myself and mum to an avid 10 year old reader, I would name Roald Dahl as my legend. The celebration events held last year to commemorate what would have been his 100th birthday clearly demonstrated just how popular he was/is with his books still being a firm favourite at home.