About Us
At Groundwork Wales, we deliver practical programmes and services that support the current and future well-being of our communities and people, and which work towards a more prosperous Wales.
We have been working in communities across Wales since 1990. Working with a wide network of partners, we have made a real difference to people’s lives and prospects through our diverse range of programmes and services.
Governance
Groundwork Wales is a charity governed by a board of trustees drawn from across the public, private and voluntary sectors. Our board of trustees are selected for their wealth of skills and commitment to sustainable development – supporting us to run as a business and a charity.
Our Board of Trustees
Jeff Greenidge – Chairman
Jeff is a seasoned senior leader with over 25 years of experience, known for his innovative thinking. He began his career teaching French, Latin, and PE before transitioning to educational leadership roles. He contributed significantly to curriculum design at the governmental level and later facilitated teacher training and consulted on curriculum development.
During 17 years at learndirect he oversaw the delivery of a £100m adult skills contract, honing his strategic leadership skills. Since 2015, he has been assisting CEOs and organizations in development and growth planning, emphasizing clear expectations, accountability, and team culture. His approach has yielded notable success and awards, such as the Lloyds Bank UK Business Award for Social Impact won by ACH in Bristol winning the in 2017. Jeff’s wealth of experience spans public, commercial, and nonprofit sectors, enabling him to enhance individual and organizational performance effectively.
Bivin Matthew, ACA
Having graduated from the University of Warwick, Bivin joined KPMG in Cardiff where he trained and qualified as a chartered accountant. Following this, he moved to Gocompare.com where he was involved in setting up the Internal Audit function. Bivin currently heads the UK Internal Audit team at Opel Vauxhall Finance.
In his spare time, Bivin watches and plays football, korfball and tennis. He also loves his food and has a food blog where you can find his tummy related musings: www.tummysaysyum.wordpress.com
Natalie Rees, BA, MSc, MIEnvSc
Natalie has over 17 years’ experience working on climate change and sustainable development and is employed as the Sustainable Development Manager at Transport for Wales. Natalie is responsible for embedding the Well-being of Future Generations Act into Transport for Wales’ activities and is also responsible for wider sustainability project.
Natalie is married with 3 children in her spare time she enjoys cycling and walking and is a strong supporter of active travel. She also enjoys cooking and experimenting with veg from the families’ allotment.
Phil Fiander
Phil recently retired from his post at the Welsh Council for Voluntary Organisations, where he’d worked since 1998 and has a background in the Training field.
Phil is extremely experienced across sectors, equally comfortable with small voluntary organisations and Welsh Government Ministers, and has a strong record in innovation and development of new programmes of work. Phil is very experienced in third sector Governance, Leadership and Management.
Phil lives in the South Wales Valleys, and is allotment holder, also enjoying live music.
James Parkin
James is an advocate for accessible green spaces to enhance communities. He led Sport Wales in increasing investment in grassroots sports in Welsh coalfield areas.
After a PG Diploma in Urban Regeneration, he worked in community development at Rhondda-Cynon-Taff CBC and Groundwork Caerphilly. He joined the Countryside Council for Wales, focusing on health initiatives and public engagement. Now Director of Nature Recovery and Regenerative Tourism at Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, he serves on advisory boards for the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and PLANED.
With four daughters, his hobbies are limited, but he remains a music enthusiast and a former drummer for several Cardiff bands.
Cllr Shane Williams
Shane Williams is a councillor with Caerphilly County Borough Council, and is its nominated representative on the Board.
He studied for his degree in Birmingham, graduating with a BA (Hons) in Government, and went on to work in the House of Commons.
As a councillor he sits on both the Environment and Sustainability Scrutiny committee and the Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny committee.
In his spare time, Shane enjoys most sports, is a keen cyclist and regularly plays badminton.
