Our Team

Commissioner's office

Derek Walker, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales

Derek Walker

Future Generations Commissioner for Wales

Derek Walker, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales.
Previously CEO of Cwmpas, the UK’s largest co-operative development agency, he worked to support people and communities to create jobs and strengthen communities, and changed the organisation’s focus to development that meets the needs of current generations without compromising the needs of future generations.He has also worked as Head of External Affairs at the Big Lottery Fund (Wales), as Head of Policy and Campaigns at the Wales TUC and was the first employee of Stonewall Cymru.
Patience Bentu, Diversity, Inclusion and Antiracism Partner 

Patience Bentu

Diversity, Inclusion and Antiracism Partner 

Patience’s background is in Politics and International Development, with focus on Diversity, Inclusion and Representation in Policy and Implementation.  

She has worked in various roles in the Public, Private and Third sectors. 

Her participation as a member of the Socio-economic sub-committee of the Welsh Government Covid Advisory Committee has built upon her skills, experience and passion to embed diversity in an Anti-racist Wales. These and her lived experiences are what Patience infuses into her role in the OFGC to offer support and advice on achieving a more equal Wales for future generations.  

Patience is the 2021 Ethnic Minority Welsh Women Achievement Association (EMWWAA) award recipient for Self–Development; and the Rhodri Morgan. She loves music and singing, amongst other things; and is mother to a teenage son.

Marie Brousseau-Navarro, Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Commissioner

Marie Brousseau-Navarro

Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Commissioner

Marie is ‘adopted Welsh’ originally from France. She makes sure we walk the talk and operate as efficiently and sustainably as we can as our Chief Operating Officer. She is a lawyer specialist in public law, the law of devolution, parliamentary procedures and now of the Well-Being of Future Generations (Wales) Act. And she loves it.
She was previously our Director for Policy, Legislation and Innovation. She is part of the senior management team which helps develop and deliver the Commissioner’s corporate plan and priorities and design internal policies. She currently has oversight of our legal work, risk management and internal processes. She advises on most projects internally.
In her former position, Marie was responsible for overseeing work on monitoring and assessing public bodies’ well-being objectives, lead the work on the legal application of the Act, correspondence, transport and planning. Marie was also The Honorary Consul of France in Wales. She loves her family and friends, good food, good wine and nature.
Sandy Clubb, Involvement Artist

Sandy Clubb

Involvement Artist

As Involvement Artist, Sandy works with the whole team to ensure that our work is informed by meaningful conversations and that we engage with people from a wide variety of backgrounds across Wales. Outside of work Sandy is active with a number of community and environmental groups, and volunteers as a befriender. Sandy loves to be outdoors and close to nature, cycling, running or walking with friends and family and is a serial instigator of book clubs.

 

Colleen Cluett, Change Analyst

Colleen Cluett

Change Analyst

Colleen is a Change Analyst focusing on advice and assistance in the Commissioner’s Office. In her role she manages the Office’s programme for providing advice and assistance to public bodies and other stakeholders to implement the Well-being of Future Generations Act, including working with other organisations to ensure our support is collaborative and integrated. She is also part of the Public Body and PSB Team as a Public Body Lead for several national public bodies and regional public bodies and PSBs in South East Wales.
Colleen likes to look for, and implement, better ways of doing things and loves to learn about and develop that through all areas of her work and life. Prior to joining the Office, Colleen worked mainly in the environmental sector in research, education, consulting and auditing. She is from Johannesburg, South Africa. Now living in Cardiff, she is enjoying learning Welsh and about Welsh culture.
Susan Crutcher, Solutions Architect

Susan Crutcher

Solutions Architect

Our Solutions Architect maintains the smooth day to day running of our workplace. Susan also oversees management of all our IT systems including IT training, and supports with our HR function. She is a natural problem solver who is always looking for ways to maximise our well-being with an engaging and inviting workplace environment. The Solutions Architect also manages the Commissioner’s complex and fast-moving diary and logistics. Outside of the office, Susan likes to sew, bake, watch most sports and is a season ticket holder at Cardiff City FC.

Jacob Ellis, Lead Change Maker: Public Affairs and International

Jacob Ellis

Lead Change Maker: Public Affairs and International

Jacob is the Lead Change Maker for Public Affairs and International Relations at the Office of the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales. His main responsibilities include advising senior stakeholders including Government Ministers to implement the Well-being of Future Generations Act. In 2019 he established the Future Generations Leadership Academy and has worked internationally to promote the world-leading legislation. He is Non-Executive Director of Literature Wales, a Trustee of Scouts Cymru and Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru. He is a former BBC Wales Journalist and is one of the alumni of the UNITE 2030 Youth Delegate Program.

Samuel Guy, Change Maker Support

Samuel Guy

Change Maker Support

Sam is in one of our Change Maker Support roles. Currently, the team is working with public bodies to ensure the interests of future generations are placed firmly at the heart of all they do. Sam is a Public Body Lead for several national public bodies and local public bodies in Gwent. He is passionate about the work of the Commissioner and takes pride in helping to shape a globally responsible Wales that is leading the way in creating a fair and sustainable world for our future generations.

Rhiannon Hardiman, Change Maker (Nature, Climate Change and Decarbonisation)

Rhiannon Hardiman

Change Maker (Nature, Climate Change and Decarbonisation)

As a Change Maker with a focus on climate, nature and decarbonisation, Rhiannon is supporting public bodies in Wales to go net zero by 2030 and to take action to address the climate and biodiversity emergencies.

Rhiannon has previously worked in the public sector across Welsh Government, NHS, Senedd and local authorities where for 10 years she led the Rural Development Programme team at Bridgend CBC supporting sustainable and cohesive community development and thriving rural economies.

Rhiannon also has a charity background both as Wales Manager with active travel charity Living Streets advocating for everyday walking, clean air and transport decarbonisation and was a Trustee and co-Chair of the Wales Centre for International Affairs for some years.

Her main areas of interest are housing and transport decarbonisation including getting her own life on track to net zero. Rhiannon lives in Cardiff with her husband and two eco-warrior kids. “There is no PLANet B!”

Najma Hashi, Change Maker Support

Najma Hashi

Change Maker Support

Najma works on our office’s international programme which aims to promote Wales as a globally responsible nation and manages the Alumni Network of our Future Generations Leadership Academy.

Najma is passionate about making Wales more equal and was a part of Cardiff Council’s Race Equality Taskforce and mentors young black, Asian and minority ethnic students from Cardiff South.

Alice Horn, Analyst Officer

Alice Horn

Analyst Officer

As Analyst Officer, Alice supports members of the team with research and analysis, particularly focusing on the delivery and follow-up of the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales’ first Section 20 Procurement Review. Alice is also working with the Office’s Change Maker Support team, building relationships with public bodies to ensure the interests of future generations are placed firmly at the heart of all they do. Alice is a Point of Contact for several public bodies in North Wales. In her spare time, Alice enjoys hiking, learning to cook new recipes, and traveling.

Natalie Jenkins, People and Culture Team Support

Natalie Jenkins

People and Culture Team Support

Natalie works as People and Culture Team Support, providing administrative HR support across the office. Natalie has an extensive background in team working and office management, supporting other people to fulfil their roles and reach their potential is what she enjoys doing the most. Natalie lives with her young family and two very pampered cats, and enjoys getting out to enjoy the great outdoors every chance she gets, or reading whenever she gets some quiet time (which is not very often!).

Hollie Leslie, Communications Support Officer

Hollie Leslie

Communications Support Officer

As our Communications Support Officer, Hollie is responsible for producing our monthly FGC newsletter, organising translation and proofreading our English and Welsh publications. Hollie also supports Claire, Media Lead, with press and media work and supports our social platforms, website and design work. Outside of work, Hollie enjoys reading, logging her entire life in a bullet journal and rewatching Gilmore Girls for the thousandth time.

Petranka Malcheva, Change Analyst (Correspondence, Legislation and Policy)

Petranka Malcheva

Change Analyst (Correspondence, Legislation and Policy)

Petranka (Pep) is responsible for dealing with the emails that are sent to our office by members of the public, different public bodies, organisations and, sometimes, elected representatives. She is also involved in the handling of requests for support and advice sent to us by different public bodies and organisations, as well as gathering and collating case studies of good practice. Her role also includes working with the Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Commissioner in all aspects of legal advice work, handling sensitive and confidential information, conducting legal research and analysing the office’s public correspondence to detect systemic issues. Outside of the office, Pep likes to read fantasy books, take pictures of her dog, slowly kill her houseplants and complain about the weather.

Jenny McConnell, Change Analyst

Jenny McConnell

Change Analyst

As a Change Analyst, Jenny is working with public bodies and Public Service Boards across Mid and West Wales to help them deliver the Well-being act to the fullest. The ‘monitoring and assessment’ part of her role draws upon her background in evaluation. She is tracking the objectives of Public Bodies and Public Service Boards to review how they have changed in line with previous recommendations made by the Future Generations Office.

Prior to joining the office, she has worked in both politics and social research in Wales, London and Brussels. Outside of work, Jenny enjoys hiking, surfing (badly), and going to gigs and exhibitions.

Ola Mohammed, Team Support Administrator

Ola Mohammed

Team Support Administrator

Ola is a support team officer working as the first point of contact to provide efficient and definitive support to the Office of the Future Generations Commissioner. Ola enjoys going out and spending time with friends and family. Ola also has a kitten named Cairo!

Heledd Morgan, Lead Change Maker

Heledd Morgan

Lead Change Maker

As a Lead Change Maker, Heledd is a member of management team and leads on a number of our work areas. Like the rest of the team, her main role is to work with the public sector to help them change their practice and culture in light of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act, focusing mainly on the Commissioner’s interest in policy around ‘Skills for the Future’. Heledd works closely with Audit Wales on monitoring the progress of public bodies in meeting the legislation and helps to develop advice and resources to speed up change.

Heledd is from Carmarthenshire originally and speaks fluent Welsh, but now lives in North Cardiff, where she loves having a daily walk along the River Taff.

At university, Heledd was in a Gospel, Soul, Acapella and Pop choir called GASP!”

 

Louisa Neale, People and Culture Change Maker Lead

Louisa Neale

People and Culture Change Maker Lead

Louisa (Lou) is our Lead Peoples expert, responsible for all things HR, Culture & People Development with a bit of corporate governance thrown in for good measure. She has over 20 years experience in the field of Human Resources, having led people operations teams mainly within the Welsh housing sector and formerly within private industry. Lou is an HR game changer, constantly searching for exciting and progressive ways to craft a better future of work and move beyond traditional HR practice. She is Mum to two teenage boys and spends most of her spare time on the athletics tracks and rugby pitches cheering on her sporting young future generations. An avid lover of dance and known  to belt out the odd karaoke tune when the occasion arises, Lou also loves to walk her very interesting bichon frisée/chow chow cross named Blake!

Helen Nelson, Corporate Hero

Helen Nelson

Corporate Hero

Helen Nelson is our Corporate Hero, taking a lead in organising our work and supporting staff with planning and delivery across the board. Working closely with the directors and lead change makers, key aspects of Helen’s role include challenging the team around impact and ensuring that we walk the talk – be the change that we want to see in others in all that we do. Helen has led organisations including Ymlaen Ceredigion and Cynnal Cymru – Sustain Wales. Originally from Aberdare, Helen now lives in Mumbles, spending over 10 years in Aberystwyth in between. She is active in her local community and her two young sons keep her busy. Helen’s hobbies seem to be attending children’s parties and walking her dog.

Sang-Jin Park, Finance and Corporate Governance Officer

Sang-Jin Park

Finance and Corporate Governance Officer

Originally from South Korea, Sang-Jin has lived in Wales since 2004.  He has responsibility for finance and corporate governance. Much of Sang-Jin’s spare time is taken up with his two dogs & baking cakes. He’s also an enthusiastic practitioner of yoga.

Lisa Pitt, Head of Finance

Lisa Pitt

Head of Finance

Lisa has recently joined the organisation in the newly created Head of Finance role. A Chartered Accountant, she honed her craft over 15 years in Practise and Industry before taking the plunge into Public Sector. She is eager and excited to be a part of the changing Wales, lead by FGC, and is looking forward to all the challenges and opportunities that will bring.

Lisa lives near Cardiff with her husband and two young daughters. When not in her “mum” role she enjoys a few relaxing hours with friends partaking in afternoon teas or brunches. She has a keen interest in Quantum Physics theories (not the dreaded math!) and her guilty pleasure is all things UFO and Conspiracy Theory related – the truth is out there!

Claire Rees, Media Lead

Claire Rees

Media Lead

As Media Lead, Claire is responsible for sharing our stories with the media, both locally and globally, and is our point of contact with journalists writing about the Act, the commissioner and our work. A former journalist of 10 years, she’s been working in PR since 2013 for charities, agencies and businesses. She’s a Welsh and Spanish learner, and an advocate for sustainable fashion - one of her favourite things is rummaging in charity shops.
Cara Rogers, Team Support Administrator

Cara Rogers

Team Support Administrator

As a Team Support Administrator, Cara is responsible for making sure that work is getting completed and sent efficiently and correctly. Cara joined the team after completing a Masters degree in Welsh Government and Politics from Cardiff University. After an insight to the public policy sphere, her dissertation focused on promoting national identity, whilst looking at policy networks, nation building, Welsh language policy and the inter-relationship between the third sector and national-level policies, for example, Cymraeg 2050: A Million Welsh Speakers. This was built from her undergraduate dissertation, which discussed how to promote the everyday use of minority languages by using Urdd Gobaith Cymru intervention called Cymraeg Bob Dydd.

Kate Seary, Speechwriter and Briefings Coordinator

Kate Seary

Speechwriter and Briefings Coordinator

As a Speechwriter and Briefings Coordinator, Kate’s role is to prepare the Commissioner for all speaking events, international conferences, and meetings, as well as writing blogs and articles for policy publications and newspapers. It is her job to communicate our inspiring work to all audiences.
Kate also campaigns for equity for women in sport through her non-profit organisation called Kyniska Advocacy. She spends most of her time training as a Welsh international middle-distance runner.
Christian Servini, Change Maker

Christian Servini

Change Maker

Christian is one of our Change Makers and his work is currently focused on supporting how we work with Public Services Boards (PSBs) and public bodies in Wales, alongside supporting our work on the climate and nature emergencies. Away from the office, Christian is a certified running coach and via ‘Trail Nation’, organises group trail runs across South Wales and coaches runners training for trail and ultra marathons. In 2022, he successfully completed the infamous Dragon’s Back Race, running the length of Wales across its highest peaks.

Jonathan Tench, International Partnerships & Networks Change Maker

Jonathan Tench

International Partnerships & Networks Change Maker

Jonny thinks Wales is going to change the world – by showing how it is possible to fight social inequality and climate change all at the same time. He supports the team’s international work, leads on private sector engagement and is responsible for the Future Generations Leadership Academy. Jonny spends too much time reading about politics and eats too much pasta. He says his favourite musical is Little Shop Of Horrors but if you press him it’s actually Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. 

Korina Tsioni, Future Leaders Changemaker

Korina Tsioni

Future Leaders Changemaker

Korina is our Future Leaders Changemaker and focuses on the Future Leaders Academy work. The Academy works with a variety of sponsors, partners and participants across Wales, to ensure that all sectors are embedding the WFG Act in their work and that future leaders have all the knowledge, skills and support they need to make the world a better place! Korina is passionate about equity, equality, diversity and inclusion and loves art! She runs a world music events business on the side , aiming to unify and celebrate different cultures in Wales, and she runs and performs in a Greek folk band too! In her free time Korina volunteers as a Trustee. She also loves being outdoors with her dog, going to gigs, travelling with family and friends, and doing camera work for music videos!
Louisa Petchey, Policy and Research Officer

Louisa Petchey

Policy and Research Officer

Louisa was a joint appointment by the Office and Public Health Wales. Her job is to think about the future and help public bodies do the same. This includes what might need to be done now to prepare for the future, what impact decisions will have in the longer term and what the future we want to create looks like. As part of her own efforts towards a better future, Louisa has worked for health and social justice charities and supports getting more women into public life. Louisa is happiest when she is outside, exploring the amazing beaches of Gower with her husband and dog, or getting overly emotional at musical theatre, books and too many TV programs.

Mariyah Zaman, Digital Innovator

Mariyah Zaman

Digital Innovator

Mariyah is our social media lead, responsible for creating social content that explains the Act and our work, in a simple way, collaborating with others and keeping our website up-to-date.
A passionate champion for a more equal Wales, and freelance writer, she has also co-founded an independent media platform for and by Welsh Muslims called Now In a A Minute Media.
Outside of work, she’ll likely be baking cakes with her mum as part of her other entrepreneurial endeavours!

Partners

Partners will include those seconded to the Office to the Art of the Possible programme and others who are supporting projects.

Taylor Edmonds, Poet in Residence 2021

Taylor Edmonds

Poet in Residence 2021

The 26-year-old poet and creative facilitator, from Penarth, whose work explores themes including womanhood, queerness, empowerment, connection, magic and folktales, and nature, was born and grew up in Barry.

Her year-long collaboration with the Future Generations Commissioner will see the young poet finding new ways to communicate the goals of the Act, one of which is a Wales with a vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language, and some of its work. The theme for this year is ‘Wales to the World’ – highlighting the importance of the Well-being of Future Generations Act’s vision and Wales’ role in the world.

Audit and Risk Assurance Committee

Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (ARAC) provide constructive advice and challenge on matters of governance, financial management and audit, and the arrangements for internal control – including risk identification and management. The Committee comprises:

Jocelyn Davies,

Jocelyn Davies

Former Plaid Cymru AM and former member of PAC and chair of Assembly’s Finance Committee, member of Advisory Panel to Children’s Commissioner for Wales and Chair of their ARAC, trustee of Care and Repair Cymru, non-executive board member of the Welsh Revenue authority;

John Dwight,

John Dwight

Retired Auditor, trustee and honorary treasurer for City Hospice Care and member of the CIPFA-Cymru branch executive

Gareth Madge,

Gareth Madge

Former Chief Officer and Chief Legal Adviser with South Wales Police, member of the Board of Directors of ACPO, Chair of Association of Police Lawyers

Alan Morris, Chair of our Audit and Risk Assurance Committee

Alan Morris

Chair of our Audit and Risk Assurance Committee

Fran Targett,

Fran Targett

Advisory Panel

The Well-being of Future Generations Act established a panel to provide the Commissioner with advice on the exercise of her functions. The members of the advisory panel are:

Helal Uddin and Lloyd Williams

Co-Directors of EYST (Ethnic Minorities and Youth Support Team Wales)

Davinia-Louise Green

Director of Stonewall Cymru

Rhian Davies

Chief Executive of Disability Wales

Andy Jones

Chief Executive of the Milford Haven Port Authority (representing business)

Andy Jones is CEO of Port Milford Haven (but standing down in April 2022) – he is an experienced Board member and business leader across a number of different sectors and is part of our Section 20 Review Steering Group.

Frank Atherton

Chief Medical Officer

Dr Frank Atherton took up post as Chief Medical Officer, Medical Director NHS Wales in August 2016. Frank graduated in medicine from Leeds University and has worked in a number of primary care and public health positions across the UK, Africa and North America. Frank was knighted in the 2022 New Year Honours list for his services to public health following the leading role he has played in Wales throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sir David Henshaw

Chair, Natural Resource Wales

Sir David Henshaw is the Chair of Natural Resources Wales. Sir David is and has been also a Chair and Non-Executive Director for a number of other public and private organisations and retains a series of advisory roles.

Heléna Herklots CBE

Older People’s Commissioner

Heléna Herklots is the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales – an independent statutory role established in law to protect and promote older people’s rights. Heléna is Chair of the UK Industrial Strategy Healthy Ageing Challenge Advisory Group and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Rocio Cifuentes

Children’s Commissioner for Wales

Ruth Marks

Chief Executive, WCVA

Ruth Marks is Chief Executive of WCVA and has a background in the voluntary and public sectors including equalities, diversity, human resource and change management.

Welsh Language Commissioner

Shavanah Taj (PCS)

General Secretary, Wales TUC

Shavanah Taj is Wales TUC’s first BME (Black and Minority Ethnic) General Secretary. She joined Wales TUC in February 2019 from the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), where she had been the Welsh Secretary since 2013. Shavanah is a passionate campaigner and activist and can often be found contributing speeches at round table debates and protest marches on issues such as anti-racism, human rights, women’s rights, fair pay, fair work and climate justice.

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