Bethan Emanuel
Chartered FCIPD
Director, Talent HR
Bethan has 30 years’ experience in HR and L&D, from working in senior roles through to establishing her own company in 2015. She works across both the public and private sector, leading transformational change, delivering leadership development programmes, and providing executive coaching and mentoring services.
Bethan holds ILM7 in executive mentoring and coaching, a Masters in Strategic HRM, is on the steering group of the CIPD in Wales L&D network, and is a trustee for the 2 Wish Upon a Star charity.
Clare Hughes
Director, Blue Sky HR
Clare has over 20 years’ experience in HR, mainly working within the manufacturing industry up to Director level. Her expertise lies in business growth, consolidations and mergers. She also supports companies with the ESG and social impact agendas.
With a CIPD qualification from Coleg Llandrillo, Clare now runs her own successful consultancy and chairs the North Wales HR Leader’s Forum.
Fiona Armstrong
Group Chief People Officer, Moneypenny
With a wealth of experience gained from a career in large-scale people leadership roles including the likes of Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy, the LCap Group, and Timpson, Fiona is perfectly placed to lead the people agenda at Moneypenny where her priority is to create clear and simple strategies to commercially support the company in its upwards trajectory both in the UK and the US.
Fiona holds a Masters in HR Management and Services from Manchester Metropolitan University.
Gayle Budden
Chartered MCIPD
Head of HR, Castell Howell Foods
As Head of HR, Gayle is responsible for providing advice and guidance to the Board across all Castell Howell Food’s sites. Her career has been developed through more than 14 years’ experience in Telecommunications, Manufacturing and Wholesale, both in operational and strategic HR.
Gayle is Chair of the CIPD Branch in South West Wales Branch. She holds a CIPD L7 qualification, an Employment Law Diploma and is a qualified workplace mediator.
Jocelyn Finnear
Chartered MCIPD
Associate Professor and Head of People and Organisation Group, School of Management, Swansea University
Jocelyn has enjoyed a career working internationally across a range of sectors and industries. More recently she has extensive experience of leadership in the higher education sector where, as a qualitative researcher, her recent work has focused on employee experiences of flexible working practices.
Jocelyn holds an MBA, PhD and is co-chair of the Mary Williams Group, a network of senior women across the University who work to actively promote development opportunities and progression of women.
Julie Rogers
Chartered FCIPD
Deputy Chief Executive / Director of Workforce and Organisation Development, Health Education and Improvement Wales
Julie has worked in the Welsh public sector for almost four decades, enjoying a varied career across a range of social policy, OD and HR roles in Government and the NHS. Following 5 years as National Workforce and OD Director for NHS Wales, Julie now leads the development of the first Health and Care Workforce Strategy for Wales 2020-2030.
Julie gained her HR qualifications at the University of South Wales, and is a true advocate for the profession within the public sector in Wales.
Laetitia Paul
Chartered MCIPD
People and Culture Partner, Taff Housing Association
Having lived and worked in India, Singapore and Germany before moving to the UK in 2011, Laetitia’s people management experience spans different cultures and industries, Laetitia currently sits on the Board of the South Riverside Community Development Centre which enables her to make a positive contribution to the community she lives in.
Laetitia holds a double Post Graduate Degree in HR and Marketing from India, and more recently completed her CIPD and ILM qualifications in UK.
Linda Williams
Chartered FCIPD
Director of People and Organisation Development, Heddlu Dyfed Powys Police
With over 25 years’ experience leading people, transformational and cultural change activity at an executive level within global, UK and Welsh organisations across the public and private sector, Linda has recently been appointed to the Chief Officer team at Dyfed-Powys Police.
Linda has multi sector NED and Chair experience, and is an FCA, RoSPA and Nebosh qualified director as well as a MSP practitioner, leadership coach and mentor, and holds Six Sigma Green Belt accreditation.
Louise Price
Partner and Head of Employment and HR Services, Hugh James
Louise has been with Hugh James since 2001 and has 20 years post qualification experience as an employment lawyer. She has extensive experience advising HR professionals across the full spectrum of employment issues including discrimination, business restructures, TUPE transfers, trade union issues, complex and drawn-out grievances and senior management disciplinary/exit strategies.
Louise and her team regularly deliver legal updates and workshops to members of the CIPD in Wales.
Lydia Stirling
Chartered MCIPD
People Director, Welsh Rugby Union
Following 20 years’ experience in the sports, engineering, manufacturing, and professional services sectors including F1 team McLaren Racing. Lydia was appointed to her current role in 2021, sitting on the executive board and responsible for developing and delivering the people strategy “Leading a People First Culture”.
She holds a MSc in HR from the University of Lincoln and in her spare time is Vice Chair of a school governing body and committee chair.
Mark Hendy
Chartered FCIPD
Chief HR Officer, Siderise Group
With over 2 decades of experience in the field, Mark is a self-confessed HR geek, who loves talking about everything related to the workplace and employment, including legislation, practice, technology, talent, leadership, and what the future workplace will look like.
Mark was listed as one of the top 35 businessmen under the age of 35 in Wales and is a former TEDx Speaker.
Mark Stevenson
Chartered FCIPD
Chief People Officer,South Wales Police
Prior to joining South Wales Police, Mark spent 18 years within large multi-national industry. Now working as part of the Executive Board, he provides leadership and strategic direction across a wide people portfolio.
Mark is also the Strategic Lead for HR and L&D collaboration across the four Welsh Police Forces, and is the UK’s National Police Chief’s Council Lead for L&D. Mark holds a MA, a MSc in HRM and a Masters in Law (LLM).
Martin Driscoll
Business Services and People Director, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water
Martin joined Dwr Cymru at the start of 2021, leading on all HR activities for the Business and with executive responsibility for Visitor Attractions, Quality and Laboratories, Legal, Facilities and Business Improvement. He has over 20 years’ experience in complex multi-site pan European organisations leading teams of up to 150 including Cardiff and Vale UHB and the steel industry.
Matt Wintle
Head of Talent Acquisition and Development, Admiral Group plc
Matt moved into HR at Admiral UK after several years working as an IT professional – including the CIO role at Admiral – running large technology change programmes.
Matt graduated with an MBA from Cardiff University and also works as an executive coach.
Nia Bennett
Chartered MCIPD
Director, effectusHR
A member of the CIPD for over 30 years, Nia worked across sectors in leadership and partnership roles before setting up her consultancy in 2016, through which she undertakes strategic HR and OD projects to support and complement the work of internal departments.
A graduate of Aberystwyth University, Nia completed her CIPD qualifications at the University of South Wales, has CIM Level 7 in Business Strategy and Leadership from Cardiff Met, holds an ILM Level 7 in executive coaching and mentoring, and is an accredited LEAN practitioner. Nia is vice-chair of the Urdd Board and chairs their Human Resources Board, and is also a member of the CIPD in Wales Senior Practitioner Steering Group.
Nick Davies
HR Director, Seda UK
Following a long career in the steel industry where he obtained his MBA and led major cultural and restructuring programmes, Nick now heads the HR function with responsibility for health and safety, payroll and communications at Seda UK’.
He is also a visiting lecturer at Swansea University School of Engineering, and sits on the University’s Industry Board.
Paul Harris
Chartered FCIPD
Managing Partner, Skylite Associates
Paul developed a career at board level as an HRD in the electronics sector before working for HR consultancies Penna, LHH and Skylite. He now works with a broad spectrum of clients on change programmes, developing bespoke solutions across outplacement, OD, assessment, coaching and leadership.
Paul has been involved with the Wales Awards since its inception in 2017 and plays an active part in promoting the profession in Wales and the UK.
Phil Bramhall
Partner, Bramhalls
Phil has specialised in employment law since qualifying in 1987 – firstly as an in-house solicitor with two LEAs, then as a partner with two commercial firms, and for the past 20 years, managing his own practice providing support to employers across all sectors. He is also an accredited workplace mediator.
As a supporter of all things CIPD in Wales, Phil regularly delivers updates and workshops to members in the north.
Phil Bushby
Chartered FCIPD
Director of Corporate Services, Amgueddfa Cymru
During a 25 year career at a senior level in HR, Phil has held the roles of HR and Estates Director at Companies House and DVLA, and People and OD Director at Public Health Wales. He now has a broad remit at Amgueddfa Cymru, leading the corporate areas of HR, Finance, Estates, Pensions and the Project Office.
Rachel Ashworth
Professor, Dean and Head of Cardiff Business School
Rachel was appointed the first female Dean of the Business School in 2018, responsible for embedding the School’s Public Value strategy; enhancing the student and staff experience, creating space for research, agency and innovation, and as the first female Dean, actively promotes equality and inclusion.
Rachel is also a Professor in Public Services Management.
Simon Argent
Chartered FCIPD
HR Director, Nexperia Newport Limited
After completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography in the late 1980’s, Simon’s HR career began with a postgraduate diploma in personnel management from Thames Valley Polytechnic and industrial placement in the HR policy Unit of British Airways. Following a brief stint in the NHS in South East London he moved to South Wales where he worked as a Personnel Officer in Hoover Merthyr Tydfil – the start of a nearly 30 year HR journey in the manufacturing industry within South East Wales.
In addition to his role as HR Director for Nexperia Newport Limited, Simon is a Non Executive Director with the College at Merthyr Tydfil.
Stephen Layne
Deputy Director of Fair Work, Welsh Government
Stephen has worked in a variety of roles with Welsh Government, building extensive experience in policy development, government business and working with Ministers, Special Advisors and external stakeholders across a range of subject areas. He currently leads a team responsible for promoting fair work, encouraging socially responsible procurement, and tackling modern slavery.
Stephen is a graduate in politics and worked in financial services prior to joining the civil service.