Our Trustees
Groundwork Wales Board of Trustees come from across the public, private and voluntary sectors. Selected for their wealth of skills and commitment to sustainable development, they support us to run as a business and a charity.
James Parkin – Our Chair
James is a passionate advocate of the power of accessible green (and blue) spaces to transform lives and build happier, healthier and more resilient communities.
Originally from Sheffield, James moved to Wales in 1999 to lead work by Sport Wales – increasing lottery investment in grassroots sporting facilities across ex-coalfield communities in south Wales.
James went on to undertake a Postgraduate Diploma in Urban Regeneration at Cardiff University and to work in the Communities First team at Rhondda-Cynon-Taf County Borough Council, later joining the former Groundwork Caerphilly as Environmental Regeneration Manager, delivering a range of successful initiatives including Green Dragon.
James then joined the Countryside Council for Wales in 2007 as their Health and Recreation Policy lead, overseeing a wide range of joint public health initiatives designed to address health inequalities across Wales, including establishing the UK Outdoor Health Forum and helping to co-create the National Principles for Public Engagement in Wales with Participation Cymru.
James is Director of Nature Recovery and Regenerative Tourism at Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, an Advisory Board Member at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and a Board Member at PLANED in Pembrokeshire.
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
Phil Fiander
Phil previously held a senior post at the Welsh Council for Voluntary Organisations where he had 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 an allotment holder, also enjoying live music.
Cllr Shane Williams (nominated member, Caerphilly Borough Council)
Shane Williams is a councillor with Caerphilly County Borough Council, and is its nominated representative on the Board of Groundwork Wales.
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.
Steffan Edwards
Steffan Edwards joined WJEC in 2022 as Executive Director: Commercial Development and is responsible for delivering WJEC’s commercial strategy across Wales, England and Northern Ireland. Since graduating from the University of Wales Swansea with a law degree, Steffan has held various Director roles within high growth vocational training companies. Steffan will be using this experience to create a portfolio of qualifications to meet the widening needs of WJEC learners and centres. Originally from the Swansea Valley, Steffan is a fluent Welsh speaker.
Samantha Hawkins
Samantha Hawkins is an experienced Chief Finance Officer with extensive experience across both Government and the rail industry. Samantha currently is the Chief Finance Officer at the Welsh Government owned Global Centre of Rail Excellence (a ~£350m economic development project located in Neath Port Talbot & Powys), having previously held the Chief Finance Officer role at Transport for Wales Rail Services and Arriva Trains Wales, both £400m annual revenue public service businesses.
As a trustee, Samantha is committed to supporting the strategic vision and long-term sustainability of Groundwork Wales. With a passion for shaping strategies that support long-term social and environmental impact, she brings 15 years of leadership and financial and corporate governance experience to the board.
Outside of work, Samantha loves running and is a committed gym-goer and values quality time spent with her family – ideally outdoors!
Michele Hunt
Michele is a passionate environmentalist whose love for the outdoors and nature as a child has led to a lifelong career in the environmental voluntary sector in Wales.
Originally from Dartmoor in Devon, Michele moved to Wales in 1993 to undertake a BA (Hons) in Environment and Social Values at the then University of Glamorgan. Upon graduating Michele undertook a placement through Groundwork focusing on energy saving and ISO14001 status with a company in Bridgend, providing a springboard to further develop her skills and confidence in the green sector.
Whilst working in a training role within the hospitality industry, Michele continued to diversify her knowledge through a range of volunteering roles including Friends of the Earth Cymru and British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, before becoming Assembly Information Officer for Wales Wildlife and Countryside Link (now Wales Environment Link).
Now with over 20 years’ experience of fundraising, advocacy and leadership, Michele is currently Head of Funding Development for RSPB Cymru.
A busy mum of two, Michele lives in the Vale of Glamorgan and enjoys connecting with nature, running, tennis and watching crime drama if she gets a spare moment.