PEN Y CYMOEDD
MEET THE PEN Y CYMOEDD TEAM
When does the Board meet?
The Board meets regularly and below are the dates upcoming meetings:
- Week commencing: 19th January 2026
- Week commencing: 23rd March 2026
- Week commencing: 11th May 2026
- Week commencing: 13th July 2026
- Week commencing: 24th August 2026
- Week commencing: 21st September 2026
- Week commencing: 2nd November 2026
- Week commencing: 30th November 2026
Pen y Cymoedd Wind Farm Community Fund Community Interest Company
The Fund is managed on behalf of local communities by an entirely independent, locally based and locally accountable Community Interest Company (CIC). The Pen y Cymoedd Wind Farm structure we’ve adopted means that delivering community benefit will always be our main priority, and that the funds we manage are subject to an ‘asset lock’. This is a key feature of all CICs and ensures that all our assets will always be used exclusively for the benefit of the community – no matter what.
The Company Objects set out in our Articles of Association are straightforward – they say that we will:
- Carry on activities which benefit the Community
- Oversee a fund to deliver benefits to the Community (as agreed from time to time with the Company’s funder); and
- Ensure that funding received by the Company brings long term benefit to the Community.
As a CIC we file annual accounts with Companies House following a full audit by an independent accountant and we submit a CIC 34 Report annually to the CIC Commissioner.
What does the Board of Directors do?
The CIC usually has 7 or 8 Directors – all with local connections.
Together, they are legally responsible for how the resources are managed and used, ensuring that the community aspirations set out in the Prospectus are brought to life.
Members can serve a maximum of two three-year terms, ensuring turnover and recruitment of new energies and ideas as the Fund matures. Recruitment to the Board will always be open and transparent. We also highlight Pathways to Board opportunities to community members and may occasionally offer shadowing of Board members.
What’s important to us – how we’ll work with you
Working closely with local communities and organisations, Directors of the Pen y Cymoedd Wind Farm Community Fund CIC will do all we can to provide excellent stewardship of the Fund. This statement sets out what’s important to us and how we’ll work with you.
The Board of Directors all agree to and abide by the Code of Conduct for Directors Policy and the Conflict of Interest Policy.
The Code of Conduct applies to all the ways in which Directors work together and with CIC staff, and how we all represent and promote the CIC externally. Staff and Directors work together with respect for each other and with integrity, and similarly with external individuals and organisations. We aim to conduct ourselves in an open and approachable way – we want to be an organisation that all stakeholders can trust.
The Conflict of Interest policy aims to protect the CIC, Directors and Staff from impropriety and minimise the risk of any perception that funding decisions have been influenced externally in any way. All Directors and staff must complete Declaration of Interests forms when they are appointed and every year after that. Declarations of Interest are also invited at the start of every Board meeting as a standard agenda item. You can read both policy documents in full on our Downloads page.
Meet the Current Board and Staff Members
Kate Breeze
Executive Director
Shayla Walsh
Fund Support Officer: Community
Jemma Hull
Finance and Administration Officer
Thomas Tudor Jones
Chair
Emma Shepherd
Board Member
Liam Hull
Board Member
Kathryn Warren
Board Member
Ashar Smith
Board Member
Stephen Burt
Board Member
Jamie Smith
Board Member
Andrea Jones
Board Member
Kate Breeze
Executive Director
Kate has been with the Community Fund since its inception in October 2016 and has served as Executive Director for the past five years. She leads the strategic vision of the Fund, manages relationships with the Board, stakeholders and community partners, and provides leadership and support to the staff team to ensure the Fund effectively serves local communities.Kate has over 12 years’ experience across a range of administration and leadership roles. After completing her Law degree in 2003, she worked in diverse settings, from running her own business to managing grant programmes within Higher Education Institutions. She is responsible for the Fund’s day-to-day management, delivery support and community engagement.Kate feels privileged to hold her role and is passionate about making a meaningful difference to communities. Outside of work, she is an avid reader, enjoys mountain walks with her dog and is Welsh language learner.
Shayla Walsh
Fund Support Officer: Community
Shayla joined the fund in 2021 and her role has now changed to Fund Support Officer for Community. Shayla has shown a real passion for working with community and third sector and will ensure the provision of the highest quality advice and guidance and lead on the management of small grants to community groups and support the Executive Director with larger community bids. We are sure Shayla will continue to thrive and Shayla is looking forward to working more closely with community groups to support them to benefit from the fund and maximise the impact the fund is having.
Jemma Hull
Finance and Administration Officer
Jemma joined the Pen y Cymoedd team in September as our Finance and Administration Officer. She brings with her a strong background in business and administrative support, having previously worked with the Central South Consortium Joint Education Service as a Business Support Officer. In her previous role, Jemma was responsible for coordinating and updating project plans, maintaining records and website content, supporting project finance functions, and assisting in the planning and delivery of professional learning activities. She also provided budget monitoring support and worked closely with managers and stakeholders to ensure projects were delivered efficiently, effectively, and within budget. With a wealth of experience in administration, finance, and project coordination, Jemma brings excellent organisational skills and a proactive approach to her role. Living in the Rhondda, she is enjoying getting to know the communities that the Fund supports and has quickly become a valued member of our small, dedicated team.
Thomas Tudor Jones
Chair
Thomas is a Senior Compliance Advisor at Cardiff University and provides advice on legal and regulatory requirements on a range of compliance matters including, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and the Welsh language. Previously he worked in a variety of roles at Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, including as an Assistant Manager at the Park and Dare Theatre, and as a Senior Policy and Compliance Officer corporately. Whilst at the Council he also became a Deputy Superintendent Registrar – so he’s available for weddings!Originally from Treherbert, but now living in Treorchy with his partner, Tom is well rooted in his local community. He enjoys singing with Aelwyd Cwm Rhondda and running with Rhondda Valley Runners on a weekly basis. Tom is a proud Rhondda resident and very excited about being a part of an organisation that makes a positive difference to people’s lives locally and in neighbouring communities.
Emma Shepherd
Board Member
Emma has over two decades of experience within the third sector, specifically working with communities. She is currently the National Head – Wales for BBC Children in Need. Passionate about people and community power, she wants to see local people use their unique knowledge and connections to decide how the fund could be used to make a difference to their local communities.Born and raised in the Cynon Valley, she now lives near Pontypridd with her three children, husband and a dog called Olive. Outside of work, she is actively involved in community life – she is a trustee of her local village hall, runs an annual Big Lunch to bring people together, and is a founder member of a community garden project.
Liam Hull
Board Member
Liam is a chartered accountant with almost 20 years’ experience across finance and wider corporate services within the Welsh public sector. He is currently Strategic Director of Resources at Cardiff Capital Region, and previously served as Chief Finance Officer at Merthyr Tydfil CBC, having previously worked in a variety of finance and audit roles within Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council.Throughout his career, he has led major organisational change programmes, delivering sustainable improvements through strong financial management and risk assurance.Liam brings extensive knowledge of Welsh Local Government, regional economic development, and the wider political landscape in Wales. He is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and has played a role in embedding these principles within the organisations he has led.Liam has lived in the Rhondda all his life and is a strong believer in sustainable community development. He is proud to be part of the Board of an organisation that has had such a positive impact on local communities and is excited to add his expertise and fresh thinking to the ongoing success of the fund.
Kathryn Warren
Board Member
Kathryn has a background in engineering and more than 20 years’ experience in energy, waste management and sustainability consultancy, including a senior leadership role at a global plc.Kathryn has lived in the South Wales valleys all her life, and is looking to bring her skills and experience to the community fund area of benefit, particularly in relation to the environment and sustainability. Kathryn is also passionate about the arts and their role in the regeneration of communities, and is a Trustee of Awen Cultural Trust. Kathryn enjoys the outdoors with her husband, young daughter and the family dogs. She is a keen runner and a Director of Maesteg parkrun.
Ashar Smith
Board Member
Ashar joined the Fund in 2025 having lived in the Fund area since 2021. He is the CEO of Creative Opps CIO, a Trustee of the Tylorstown Welfare Hall and has spent over a decade working to give young people access to the tools, networks, and experience that they need to create positive changes for themselves and their communities. Ashar has worked at The National Lottery Community Fund and The Blagrave Trust where his work focused on participatory grant-making and youth-led change. Ashar is excited to join PYC and play a part in redistributing wealth and power into communities.
Stephen Burt
Board Member
Steve is a chartered accountant and governance professional. He has lived and worked in South Wales all his life, including serving as MD at Rocialle, Mountain Ash, Steve now serves on a number of boards and provides coaching and mentoring via the Welsh Government AGP programme.Steve is committed to seeing the re-generation of the Valleys through supporting entrepreneurship and recognises the outstanding opportunity the fund offers. Steve and his wife have recently moved onto a narrowboat but has ongoing involvement in the area via support for several churches and charitable projects.
Jamie Smith
Board Member
Jamie was born and bred in and around the Afan Valley and has worked in innovation and research-related roles for over 20 years, across the local government, central government and third sectors. He has been Director of Innovation and Partnership at Hafod since 2018, where he has developed his interests in community involvement, service design and data analysis. Jamie founded Side-by-Side, Hafod’s social innovation and community engagement unit, in 2021. Side-by-Side was the first unit of its kind in Wales and has attracted significant funding and external partnership interest, as well as delivering benefits to communities.Prior to his career in these sectors, Jamie completed a PhD in earth sciences, which ignited his passion for climate change and environmental sustainability.
Andrea Jones
Board Member
Andrea brings a strong local perspective having lived in Aberdare for most of her life and now living in Hirwaun. With over 23 years of experience at Careers Wales, Andrea currently works as an Operational Development Manager, collaborating with a wide range of industries and organisations across Wales building relationships and networks to support young people’s career decision making. Andrea’s professional background has given her valuable insight into the challenges and potential within local communities, which she is passionate about addressing through the fund’s work. Outside of her professional role, Andrea enjoys staying active through running, going to the gym, and walking her dog. Andea is deeply committed to ensuring that the fund delivers meaningful, lasting benefits to the communities it serves, helping to create opportunities, strengthen local resilience, and improve quality of life for residents across the fund benefit area.
Previous Board Members
Martin Veale
Dr Jack James
Michelle Coburn Hughes
Victoria Bond
Bob Chapman
Marc Phillips
Professor Donna Mead
Glen Bowen
Mair Gwynant
Dave Henderson
Martin Veale
Martin is a qualified accountant and auditor, risk management and governance expert. Martin is also an experienced board member and is currently a board member and chair of audit at Sport Wales and at Velindre University NHS Trust.Having lived in the South Wales Valleys all his life, Martin recognises the outstanding opportunity the funding available through this scheme represents and wants to ensure the funding makes a long-term impression on the area – delivering for the wellbeing of future generations.
Dr Jack James
Having been raised on smallholding in West Wales, Jack received a marine biology degree and PhD Swansea University before starting his professional career in Madagascar as a fish farm manager. Following this he was appointed Head of R&D for an aquaculture company in Malta, before returning to South Wales in late 2013, to Aberdare. Here he settled with his family, founding an aquaculture R&D business in Hirwaun in 2014, now employing 13 people and expanding significantly through 2020/21 locally and into Singapore. The business trades globally but is very firmly rooted in the Cynon Valley, and Jack has a strong personal and professional commitment to enhancing the community in which he lives and works. He lives in Llwydcoed with his wife (from Aberdare) and two young children.
Michelle Coburn Hughes
Michelle has been employed by RCTs Education and Children’s Services since 1996, now employed as a Business and Facilities Manager at a secondary school in Ferndale. Michelle is also the Managing and Founding Director of The Fern Partnership, a multi award winning Charity and Company Limited Guarantee, selected in July 2017 as a ‘Pathfinder’ organisation for Wales by Welsh Government under the Valleys Task Force initiative. The Charity is strategic and forward thinking in relation to the future, community development and the joined-up approach to community partnership working. As both a resident and a professional in the Rhondda Valleys Michelle is proud to be part of communities that flourish, develop and thrive in what can be challenging and sometimes extremely difficult environments.
Victoria Bond
Victoria is a Chartered Waste Manager, with 17 years’ experience, specialising in modern waste management and recycling. Originally from Hirwaun, her career has taken her all over the world, including Australia and the Middle East, where she worked for engineering and environmental consultancies, and was Board Member for the Western Australian Government’s Waste Authority.Previous to this, Victoria was a Community Councillor for Hirwaun and Penderyn, she was co-founder of RCT’s Briars Bridleways and a member of Action for Hirwaun, helping achieve Village Green status for the Gloucesters.She now runs a fledgling business selling farm produce to the public. Victoria is passionate about the Valleys communities and bringing some of her experiences to help revitalise local villages and towns.
Bob Chapman
Bob Chapman has been a key presence in the Afan Valley for many years, developing innovative services, including the Upper Afan Valley Citizens Advice Bureau – the first mobile CAB in Wales, serving six valley communities. He is currently Chair of the National Advice Network Wales. He has served on national bodies – such as the board of Shelter Cymru – as well as local organisations which are the life-blood of the community, such as the Governors of Croeserw Primary School and the Friends of Cymmer Afan Community Library.
Marc Phillips
Marc Phillips is an experienced grant-maker with 40 years’ experience within the voluntary and charitable sectors. He recently retired as Head of Policy for BBC Children in Need and has been Chief Executive of both Tenovus, and the Dyfed Association of Voluntary Services.Now living in Cardiff, he spent many years living in Aberdare, Mountain Ash and Dowlais.
Professor Donna Mead
Professor Donna Mead has a distinguished career in nursing, academia and public service – and throughout this has kept her family base in her home community of Glynneath. Currently Vice Chair of Cwm Taf University Health Board, she relishes the prospect of using of the Pen y Cymoedd Community Fund to increase the resilience of communities in the Upper Neath, Afan, Rhondda and Cynon Valleys.
Glen Bowen
Glen has worked in co-operatives development for over eighteen years, and has facilitated the set-up of many community- and worker- co-operatives and co-operative consortia. He makes use of his business training and understanding to help people develop entrepreneurial ideas into successful co-operative businesses. Glenn is Director for Enterprise at the Wales Co-operative Centre and was co-ordinator of the Local Economy Action Project for Bridgend County Borough Council.Glenn has been a resident of Tynewydd and Treherbert all his life and all his family live within the ward and is excited about being part of an organisation that will make a difference to people’s lives, empowering his and neighbouring communities to support themselves to develop sustainably.
Mair Gwynant
Mair Gwynant is a chartered accountant with significant experience of working across the public, private and third sector. Her areas of expertise include financial management, governance, funding, grant management, business development and strategic planning.Mair previously worked in senior roles within the Welsh Government, the Welsh European Funding Office, the Wales Co-operative Centre, Chwarae Teg and Deloitte Touche LLP. She has worked with many organisations in the Pen y Cymoedd area, developing sustainable community projects and social enterprise activity. Mair welcomes the opportunity to contribute to and shape the positive change that the fund can make to the area.Previous to this, Victoria was a Community Councillor for Hirwaun and Penderyn, she was co-founder of RCT’s Briars Bridleways and a member of Action for Hirwaun, helping achieve Village Green status for the Gloucesters.She now runs a fledgling business selling farm produce to the public. Victoria is passionate about the Valleys communities and bringing some of her experiences to help revitalise local villages and towns.
Dave Henderson
David left school with no qualifications and no idea of his future career. That was almost 50 years ago, and since then he has carved an impressive career in education and training, founding and running his own training companies. He has lived and work in the communities benefitting from the Pen y Cymoedd Community Fund for 35 years and is particularly keen to see the local communities take the lead in deciding how the fund can be used best in their areas, and use it as a catalyst to restoring the “can do” attitude he believes the Upper Valleys were built on. Dave is also a Non-Executive Director of Valleys recycling company – “Too Good to Waste”