About Us
At Groundwork Wales, we deliver practical programmes and services that support the current and future wellbeing 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 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.
Our Board of Trustees
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
Natalie Rees, BA, MSc, MIEnvSc
Natalie has over 17 years’ experience working on climate change and sustainable development and is employed as Head of Sustainable Development and Climate Change 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 projects. 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 family allotment.
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.
