Governance
The Governing Body of Coleg y Cymoedd is made up of 20 Members drawn from a number of diverse areas, broadly representative of the community it serves.
The Governing Body is made up of people from business or public life and will bring with them a range of skills / expertise that is important to the development and future of Coleg y Cymoedd.
The Governing Body is responsible for:
A range of Governing Body information, including minutes of meetings is available to view by appointment in the Executive Office, Nantgarw Campus.
For more information, please contact:
Jennifer Owen
Governance officer , Coleg y Cymoedd
Heol y Coleg
Parc Nantgarw
Cardiff
CF15 7QY
Committee Membership: Resources, Remuneration , Search
Andrew Diplock – Chair
Andrew is an experienced entrepreneur, investor and business adviser with a proven track record of building and growing successful businesses across both corporate and SME sectors. Having founded and scaled his own business through to a successful exit, he now supports emerging and established organisations across Wales through investment, mentoring and strategic advice.
Alongside his commercial work, Andrew is Chair of the Cardiff City FC Community Foundation, where he is passionate about creating opportunities for young people and supporting communities through education, employability and sport. He has also contributed to Welsh Government advisory work focused on economic development and regional growth in South Wales.
Andrew brings a strong combination of entrepreneurial leadership, commercial expertise and community commitment to his role as Chair of Coleg y Cymoedd with a clear commitment to strengthening skills and lifelong learning opportunities while ensuring the College remains innovative, financially sustainable and responsive to the future needs of learners, staff and regional employers.
Committee membership: Resources (Chair), Search, Remuneration
Catherine Thomas – Community Member (Vice-Chair)
Catherine is an HR professional. She has worked in Higher Education for seventeen years, having previously worked in the private, voluntary and public sectors.
Committee membership: Resources (Vice-Chair)
David Price
David’s professional interests focus on the development and application of performance systems, business intelligence, risk management, regulation, and governance in further and higher education.
Since 2017 he has worked primarily as an independent consultant, executive coach, and interim manager, including periods as Chief Executive of ColegauCymru and Director of The Open University in Wales. His last permanent role was as Pro Vice-Chancellor (Strategy & Performance) at Cardiff Metropolitan University.
David has also held governance roles with charities and local authorities, alongside his role as a Governor of Coleg y Cymoedd.
Committee membership: CURRICULUM AND QUALITY (CHAIR), SEARCH, REMUNERATION
Robert Evans – Community Member
Rob has worked in further education for 30 years as a Head of Department and Deputy Principal. He has also been an Estyn Peer Inspector for 20 years.
Committee membership: Curriculum and quality (vice-chair)
Gareth Reynolds – Community Member
Gareth’s career has been immersed in learning, starting with a PGCE (PE) in 2005 at the then UWIC Cyncoed Campus. He has held various roles, including nine years as Head of Department at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College and interim Associate Head of a secondary school.
Since 2019, he has worked as a Curriculum Development Manager at Pearson, supporting FE Colleges, University Centres, Local Authorities, Sixth Forms, UTCs and IoTs provision in South West England, South Wales, and the Channel Islands. He later became Product Lead for Sport and Physical Activity, combining his passions with an applied, technical, specialist, and digital portfolio. In early 2023, he took on the role of Senior Product Manager for Digital Transformation.
Continuing learning he gained MSc in Sports Coaching as a mature learner and recently completed an alternative MBA. Gareth also sits as a Trustee for a MAT in England. He is a former CIMSPA Professional Development Committee member, and a former international karate athlete and coach.
Gareth’s career has been immersed in education, learning and skills, starting with a PGCE in Physical Education in 2005 at the then UWIC Cyncoed Campus. He has held various roles, including a decade as Head of Department at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College, where he led Ofsted Outstanding provision, and a period as interim Associate Head of a secondary school.
Since moving into the wider education and skills sector, Gareth has held curriculum, product and leadership roles across Pearson, the University of Warwick and ASDAN. His experience includes curriculum development, technical and vocational education, digital transformation, product management, assessment design, quality assurance and strategic growth. He has worked closely with FE colleges, schools, sixth forms, university centres, local authorities, UTCs, and sector bodies across the UK and internationally.
Gareth is currently Director of Education and Impact at ASDAN. His role includes supporting the development of meaningful learning pathways, strengthening quality and regulatory oversight, and ensuring that education products and services remain relevant, inclusive and impactful for learners and centres.
A committed lifelong learner, Gareth has most recently been certified as a Non-Executive Director and has continued to develop his expertise through professional learning in leadership, agile project management, product management, digital transformation and AI in education. He is also a former CIMSPA Professional Development Committee member, a former MAT Trustee, and a former international karate athlete and coach.
Committee membership: AUDIT
Lynne Wakefield – Business Member
Committee membership: Audit (Vice -Chair)
Alun Williams – Business Member
Alun is a Chartered Procurement and Supply Professional (MCIPS) with over twenty years’ senior leadership and advisory experience across local government, devolved and UK central government, the third sector and private consultancy.
Educated at Ysgol Maes Garmon and Ysgol Friars, he holds a BA in Public Policy and Management from the University of Bedfordshire and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Robert Gordon University.
He operates a Wales-based consultancy (Mona Solutions) supporting public and third-sector organisations and brings experience of governance, audit, risk and value-for-money scrutiny to his role on the Corporation Board and Audit Committee. He has experience of school governance in Aberdeenshire, Cardiff and Caerphilly, bringing a cross-authority perspective on education governance.
Committee membership: Audit, Curriculum and Quality
Fran Green – Community Member
Fran has over 40 years’ experience in the Further Education sector. Firstly, as a full time student studying hairdressing and beauty therapy in North London and more latterly as a part time evening student, attempting to learn Spanish.
Having qualified, Fran worked in the hair and beauty sector as both a stylist, and salon manager and enjoyed working closely with people, both clients and staff, an passion which has continued through her career. During this time, she was invited to undertake a few hours’ part time teaching at her old college and eventually became a full time teacher.
In 1988, following the Tottenham riots, Fran crossed the bridge and relocated to South Wales, to take up a position as Senior Lecturer in Afan College, Port Talbot, thinking she would only stay three years in Wales at the most! During her first years, she had, for a Londoner, the difficult task of pronouncing Welsh place names and enrolled in classes, eventually achieving level 3 conversational Welsh.
During her employment many promotional opportunities have arisen both within her own field and as a manager, culminating in Fran becoming Assistant Principal for Quality. This position has taken her through two Estyn inspections and the Pandemic.
Additionally, Fran has been an active Peer Inspector with Estyn, and has assisted them on several inspections for both FE and ACL enabling her to gain a wider spectrum and experience of the educational arena in Wales.
Committee membership: Resources
Dr Paul Smart
Having graduated with BSc and PhD in Engineering, Paul commenced his career in the gas and steel industries. He subsequently join the UK manufacturing plant of an Internal Cosmetics company where he work as both a Production Manager and Head of Human Resources. He then took a role in the company’s headquarters as UK Human Resources Director for Operations, Supply Chain, Finance and IT. After 37 years with the company Paul has now retired but still works part-time as the company’s Pension Liaison Manager and as a Pension Fund Trustee.
Committee membership:Audit
Clare Wheatstone
Clare is a Qualified Accountant who, over the past 25 years, has worked in a variety of industries including theatrical, retail and asset finance.
Clare is currently working for a large multinational company whose principal business is the sale of beauty and haircare products, cosmetics and fragrances. Clare has worked for the company for over 15 years and is currently UK & Ireland Chief Accountant whose primary responsibilities include accounting compliance and advisory.
Committee membership: Curriculum and Quality
Kate Owen – Local Authority Member
After graduating with a BA combined Honours in English Literature and Philosophy and a PGCE in Secondary English and Drama, Kate has taught in secondary schools in South Wales since 1998 as a teacher of English and R.E. Head of English and Drama and for 8 years as an Assistant Headteacher with responsibility for Wellbeing and Safeguarding.
Committee membership: Resources
Ben Winstanley – Local Authority Member
Andrew has worked for many companies in both corporate and SME sectors, built a business from start up to a successful exit. He now devotes his time to helping other businesses start and grow as both an angel investor and business advisor.
He also advises Welsh Government as a member of the Ministerial Taskforce for the South Wales.
Committee membership: Curriculum and Quality
Alexandra Roberts
Alexandra began her career in Higher Education Recruitment and Outreach in 2010. With over a decade of experience supporting local communities and disadvantaged groups in accessing Higher and Further Education and training, Alexandra has worked with individuals from all walks of life, across Wales and the UK more broadly.
Alexandra studied as an Actor at the University of Wales Trinity St Davids, before joining their Widening Access Team, and later moving to the University of South Wales.
With a passion for the transformative potential of life long learning, Alexandra advocates for fair Access and Learner voice.
Committee membership: Resources
Sara Moggridge
Sara has extensive experience in Higher Education, most recently as Academic Registrar at the University of South Wales. She specialises in regulatory compliance, governance, and the leadership of academic and student services.
Her committee work includes Academic Board, Digital Strategy Group, Health and Safety, Information Security, Quality Assurance, and Learning and Teaching, reflecting her strong commitment to effective oversight and organisational accountability.
Committee membership: Curriculum and Quality, Resources, Search
Jonathan Morgan – Principal
Committee membership: Resources
Chris Joseph – Staff Member
Chris is Head of IT Services at Coleg y Cymoedd, with over 31 years of experience. Starting as temporary IT assistant in 1994, Chris has advanced through key roles, multiple college mergers and led major IT infrastructure projects, ensuring smooth transitions for staff and learners.
As a senior leader, Chris drives strategic planning, procurement, and the implementation of critical IT systems. An active member of the management team and various working groups, Chris is recognised for strong professional relationships, commitment to staff development, and a focus on enhancing learner outcomes.
Committee membership: Curriculum and Quality
Phillip Thomas – Staff Member
Committee Membership
Crystal – Learner Member
Committee Membership : Curriculum and Quality
Alvina- Learner Member
Committee membership: Resources
Vacancy (Co-opted)
Committee membership: Curriculum and Quality
Helen Lawless (Co-opted)
Helen is a Head of School at Coleg Gwent and has worked in education for nearly 34 years and takes a learner centred approach to every aspect of her job.
In her current role as a Head of School, she is responsible for curriculum development and quality assurance in the areas of Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy, Theatrical and Media Make Up, Complementary and Spa Therapies, Aesthetics, Hospitality and Catering and Travel and Tourism and manages over 30 staff.
Helen is actively engaged in the PAN Wales Group where all college managers for the sector meet termly to discuss and share good practice and she is also part of the All Wales Qualification Reviews with Qualifications Wales – she also has strong links with local employers and other colleges in the UK.
Helen and her teams are heavily supportive and involved in Inspiring Skills Wales and UK/World Skills competitions and is passionate about improving the learner experience for young people.
Committee membership: Audit
Claire Hall (Co-opted)
Claire qualified as a registered nurse in 2008 after completing a BSc in Adult Nursing at Cardiff University. She has since achieved an MSc in Specialist Public Health Nursing (Health Visiting) and a PGCert in Education for Healthcare Professionals from the University of South Wales.
Throughout her nursing career, Claire has gained experience in both secondary and community settings.
Most recently, she has taken on the role of Placement Experience and Improvement Manager at Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW). In this capacity, Claire collaborates with Higher Education Institutions, health boards, trusts, and the independent sector across Wales.
Her work focuses on ensuring undergraduate healthcare students benefit from diverse, high-quality placement experiences, ultimately contributing to the development of a healthcare workforce prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities of modern practice.
Committee membership: Resources
Vacancy (Co-opted)
Committee membership: Resources
Vacancy (Co-opted)
<strong>Committee membership: Curriculum & Quality</strong>
Vacancy (Co-opted)
Committee membership: Resources
Vacancy (Co-opted)
Committee membership: Audit
Vacancy (Co-opted)
Curriculum and Quality Committee
Search Committee
Resources Committee
Audit Committee
Remuneration Committee
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Committee |
Dates |
|---|---|
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Corporation Board (Governing Body) |
Monday 28 September 2026 |
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Curriculum and Quality Committee |
Monday 9 November 2026 |
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Search Committee |
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|
Resources Committee |
Monday 16 November 2026 |
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Audit Committee |
Monday 7 September 2026 Monday 23 November 2026 |
|
Remuneration Committee |
Monday 25 January 2027 |
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Coleg y Cymoedd welcomes applications from interested parties who wish to be considered for membership of the Governing Body.
Please email a copy of your CV to Jennifer Owen, Governance officer, at jennifer.owen@cymoedd.ac.uk and complete the on-line application form.
Aberdare
Wellington Street
Aberdare
Rhondda Cynon Taff
CF44 8EN
Nantgarw
Heol y Coleg
Parc Nantgarw
Cardiff
CF15 7QY
Rhondda
Llwynypia
Tonypandy
Rhondda Cynon Taff
CF40 2TQ
Ystrad Mynach
Twyn Road
Ystrad Mynach
Hengoed
CF82 7XR
