Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background (for committee session).

Dywedwch ychydig wrthym amdanoch chi eich hun a'ch cefndir (ar gyfer sesiwn y pwyllgor).

One of four children, I was born in Wrexham and grew up in a village just outside Mold in North Wales. I attended the Alun School in the town through to sixth form, where I benefitted from some really great and inspirational teaching - in art, literature, history and politics in particular – which encouraged me to believe that I could actually win a place at university. I did and whilst I was there I gained a scholarship to the University of Siena to study the art and political philosophy of the Italian city states – an amazing opportunity for which I’ll always be grateful. My executive career was then spent in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry working for a range of companies in public affairs, policy and communications roles. These were senior leadership positions in large, complex, global organisations operating under close scrutiny from regulators, politicians and the public. Since 2016 I’ve had a portfolio career in Wales with a number of non-executive appointments across the Welsh public sector, in particular with Public Health Wales, the Arts Council of Wales and Welsh Health Specialised Services. These positions now combine my background in health with my passion for the cultural life of our nation. Having grown up as the first generation in our family not to speak Welsh, I’ve been learning Welsh through Coleg Gwent.

Question 1: What is your motivation for applying to be Chair of National Museum Wales?

Cwestiwn 1: Beth yw eich cymhelliant dros wneud cais i fod yn Gadeirydd Amgueddfa Cymru?

This is a really exciting opportunity to help lead Wales’ family of national museums and collections through the next part of their journey to becoming truly accessible, representative reflections of our myriad Welsh communities and histories – and I’m incredible grateful to have reached this stage in the process. One of the first trustee roles I applied for when I left my executive career was with the Museum. This was back in 2016 and at that time I wasn’t successful but it sparked an interest that has grown over the years especially as I’ve seen the Amgueddfa develop and evolve. It’s response to difficult times has been inspirational to watch as a visitor – from Reframing Picton, the Objects of Comfort wellbeing campaign, to the purchase of Melin Teifi - it shows a future thinking responsive organisation that I’d love to be part of leading. I’m also passionate about ensuring everyone has the chance to experience this work, to access our facilities and collections – as my work with the Arts Council has shown the impact arts and cultural provision can have in and with communities.

Question 2: Why do you think you are well-suited for the role?

Cwestiwn 2: Pam ydych chi o'r farn eich bod chi’n ymgeisydd addas ar gyfer y rôl hon?

Having worked as a non executive/trustee on a number of boards over the past seven years, three years ago I was fortunate enough to be appointed as chair of a NHS organisation. This has been a great opportunity to lead an organisation alongside our Managing Director, and see the impact robust governance, sound finance, rigourous oversight and scrutiny can make to an organisation and its staff, and how we deliver for our population. Having been a board member of the Arts Council of Wales for six years, I recently spent six months acting up as Interim Chair. That period - during which I supported the settling in of a new Chief Executive, and oversaw the consultation and application stage for our forthcoming Investment Review - was really instructive and inspirational in allowing me to see myself as a Chair of major national institution. I’m also excited to explore further ways to strengthen the partnerships between our cultural assets, health and well-being, and think I am well placed to champion this work.

Question 3: What are the three main outcomes that you want to achieve during your tenure?

Cwestiwn 3: Beth yw’r tri phrif beth ydych chi am eu cyflawni yn ystod eich cyfnod yn y rôl?

The work programme and priorities of the Amgueddfa are wide ranging and (rightly) ambitious but there are three elements I would highlight as particularly key to the Chair’s role in first three years. Firstly, providing robust oversight of delivery of the priorities set out in the Amgueddfa’s strategy with a particular focus on widening engagement across all our communities – both through digitisation projects and in person.  Secondly, leading implementation of the recommendations in the forthcoming Tailored Review.  Finally, the Chair and the Board play an incredibly important role in setting tone and culture for an organisation and I would want to ensure that every staff member feels like Amgueddfa Cymru is a place where their voice is heard and their contribution valued, where they can both develop themselves and their career, and inspire all our current and future visitors to enjoy and interact with our collections.

Question 4: How will you work with individuals and organisations that support and promote the work of National Museum Wales?

Cwestiwn 4: Sut byddwch yn gweithio gydag unigolion a sefydliadau sy’n cefnogi ac yn hyrwyddo gwaith y Amgueddfa Cymru?

Effective partnership working is key to ensuring our facilities, locations and collections are as accessible and representative as they possibly can be. My first job would be to fully understand the range of partnerships with individuals and organisations that are already in place, engage with them and seek to build on those relationships to better further our joint aims and ambitions. Secondly, I’d want to understand where there are gaps in our collaborative working – across Wales, the UK and internationally. Part of my public facing role as Chair would be to work to foster those partnerships and be the strongest advocate that I can on behalf of Amgueddfa Cymru and all its staff. Finally, my personal style is to be visible in and around the organisations I work with, to understand staff, partners and their experience of working on the ground – that understanding is vital to good governance and effective board working.

Question 5: How will you ensure that you maintain your independence from the Welsh Government, whilst also influencing and holding the Welsh Government to account on areas of priority for arts, culture and heritage?

Cwestiwn 5: Sut byddwch yn sicrhau eich bod yn cynnal eich annibyniaeth o Llywodraeth Cymru, tra hefyd yn dylanwadu a dal y Llywodraeth Cymru i gyfrif ar feysydd blaenoriaeth ar gyfer y celfyddydau, diwylliant a threftadaeth?

The relationship between Welsh Government and Amgueddfa Cymru is well described in the Royal Charter, the Remit Letter and the Framework Document and operates on the arms length principle. Building a strong relationship with officials in the sponsor department and the Deputy Minister will be key to maintaining this principle. I’m used to working as a Chair and board member with Welsh Government in this way – maintaining independence whilst ensuring positive and productive relationships. There will always be difficult conversations to be had as public monies are spent and priorities are being delivered, but ensuring there are always open channels of communications to and from the Chair is critical.

Question 6: How will you work with Senedd Members, Senedd Committees and other stakeholders?

Cwestiwn 6: Sut fyddwch chi’n gweithio gydag Aelodau o’r Senedd, Pwyllgorau’r Senedd a rhanddeiliaid eraill?

I’d like to work with this Committee, other Senedd Committees and Senedd Members in an open and transparent manner. Senedd Committees and Members play a critical role in scrutinising the work of Amgueddfa Cymru and the way in which it spends public money. There will be formal ways in which the Chair of the Amgueddfa will need to interact with them – providing evidence and keeping them updated on areas of priority. Outside these more formal interactions, I would warmly welcome regular contact with Committees and Members in the work the Amgueddfa does so that the opportunities and challenges that face us are fully understood.