Cymraeg / Welsh

Cymraeg / Welsh

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About the Fund

Pen y Cymoedd Community Fund has announced that its Executive Director, Kate Breeze, will be leaving the organisation on 16 November 2026 after ten years of service.

Kate, who has been involved with the Fund since its inception, has accepted the position of Wales Development Manager with Coalfields Regeneration Trust.
 
During her tenure, Kate has played a central role in establishing Pen y Cymoedd Community Fund as one of Wales’ largest and most impactful community funds, supporting hundreds of projects and helping deliver lasting benefits across the Fund’s communities.
 
Thomas Tudor Jones, Chair of Pen y Cymoedd Community Fund, said:
“Kate’s leadership, commitment and vision have been instrumental in the success of Pen y Cymoedd Community Fund over the past decade. Her dedication to the communities we serve has helped create a strong, respected and impactful organisation that leaves a lasting legacy across the upper Neath, Afan, Rhondda and Cynon valleys. While we are naturally sorry to see her leave, we are delighted for her and wish her every success in this exciting new chapter. The Board would like to place on record its sincere thanks for her outstanding contribution.”
 
Natalie Sargent, Senior Operations Manager at Coalfields, said:

“We are absolutely delighted that Kate will be joining Coalfields Regeneration Trust as Wales Development Manager. Having already built a strong and positive working relationship with Kate through our shared commitment to supporting former coalfield communities, we know first-hand the passion, expertise and collaborative approach that she brings. Kate’s extensive experience in community development, grant-making and partnership working, combined with her deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing communities across Wales, will be a tremendous asset to our organisation. We are excited to welcome Kate to the team and look forward to working alongside her to create lasting positive impact for communities throughout Wales.”

Further information regarding arrangements for the recruitment of a new Executive Director will be announced in due course.

The Fund was established by energy company Vattenfall to benefit the communities hosting the Pen y Cymoedd wind farm across the upper Neath, Afan, Rhondda and Cynon Valleys. It exists to support local people, groups and organisations to invest in themselves, their ideas and their communities.

The Community Fund has a substantial annual budget that is index-linked, meaning it increases in line with inflation. As an example, this equated to around £2.5 million in 2025. The Fund will continue to support communities until 2043, creating long-term opportunities for growth, resilience and positive change.

The Fund is managed by an independent, locally based not-for-profit Community Interest Company. It is overseen by a Board of Directors with strong local connections and delivered by a small but dedicated staff team with extensive community engagement experience. We are here to help ensure the Fund delivers on the vision and priorities of local communities.

Over the next 10 years, the Fund is focusing on investment in people, places and businesses — helping the Valleys to thrive, driving bold ideas, supporting transformation and creating lasting impact for current and future generations.

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