WelshConfed25: Welsh NHS Confederation Annual Conference and Exhibition

Carly Gray, Programme Lead, Carers Trust 

Carly is Programme Lead at Carers Trust Wales. She joined Carers Trust in December 2023, where she leads on the design and development of programmes to improve the lives of carers in Wales. Carly oversees and supports the delivery of the Carer Aware programme for Carers Trust. She has a background in education, training, programme design, commissioning and engagement and is also a long-term foster parent. 

Professor Ceri Phillips, Vice Chair, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

Professor Ceri J. Phillips is currently Vice-Chair of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, having previously been an Independent Board member of Health Education and Improvement Wales and Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board. Up until March 2021, he was Chair of the All-Wales Medicines Strategy Group, and was formerly a member of the Bevan Commission, where he co-authored the publication that initiated the notion of Prudent Healthcare in Wales. He was also a member of the Steering Group that developed Setting the Direction in 2010.

He was, until July 2020, Head of the College of Human and Health Sciences at Swansea University and Professor of Health Economics at Swansea Centre for Health Economics. He is now Emeritus Professor of Health Economics at Swansea University and is an Honorary Professor in Cardiff University School of Medicine. 

During the course of his career, he has undertaken commissioned work on the evaluation of programmes and interventions for a range of organisations, has advised Welsh and UK governments, sat on a number of review groups and committees and authored over 220 publications and secured grant income in excess of £30 million. 

Chrissie Gallimore, Strategic Account Manager - Wales, Novartis 

Chrissie joined Novartis in April 2025 as part of the value and access team. With extensive experience in pharma and working with the Wales healthcare system over the last 30 years, Chrissie is passionate about collaborating with strategic partners to deliver system value and enhance patient outcomes. At Novartis she is leading pioneering work through purpose-led partnerships with the NHS to help address some of the healthcare challenges facing our society today.  

Dr Christopher Johnson, Head of Vaccine Preventable Disease Programme and Deputy Director of Health Protection, Public Health Wales NHS Trust

Chris is Head of the Vaccine Preventable Disease Programme and Deputy Director of Health Protection at Public Health Wales.  His background is in analytical and environmental chemistry.  After studying for a PhD and working as a postdoctoral research fellow, he started working in Public Health with the Health Protection Agency's Chemical Hazards and Poisons Division in 2006.  

In 2011 Chris joined the public health training scheme in North Wales and qualified in 2016, when he joined Public Health Wales as a Consultant in Health Protection responding to cases and outbreaks of communicable disease across Wales.  In 2020 Chris was involved with the design and delivery of NHS Wales Test Trace and Protect during the COVID-19 pandemic, and following this he was appointed as Head of Vaccine Preventable Disease programme in August 2021.  He now leads a multidisciplinary team of 50, supporting vaccination services across Wales.  Chris represents Wales on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), and is a passionate advocate for person centred services and improved vaccine literacy.

Darren Hughes, Director, Welsh NHS Confederation 

Darren has been director of the Welsh NHS Confederation since August 2019. Prior to this he was director for Wales at the General Pharmaceutical Council and head of office at the General Medical Council. 

His career to date has seen him work extensively with the NHS, healthcare professionals, the UK and Welsh governments, politicians, the media and health stakeholders. 

He has also conducted research at Cardiff University looking at how organisations can work together to campaign for legislative change. Darren has sat on several boards and advisory boards from Citizens Advice Cymru to Welsh Government’s Pharmacy: Delivering a Healthier Wales Delivery Board.   

Darren was born and brought up in Gilfach Goch in south Wales and now lives “just over the mountain” with his family. Apart from being a full-time taxi driver to his children, Darren is also passionate about rural issues and sustainability. A former amateur jockey, Darren is still involved in organising several agricultural and equestrian events locally and nationally. 

Dave Thomas, Director, Audit Wales 

Dave went to college in Cardiff and graduated from the University of Wales with a first class degree in Applied Life Sciences in 1986. Dave spent six years pursuing a career in medical research and gained a PhD from the University of Wales, College of Medicine in 2002. During that time he published a number of papers in peer reviewed medical journals and presented his work at various UK and international venues. 

Dave moved from research in 1992 to take up a Policy Officer role in the Welsh Health Services Secretariat, a body that supported the work of Chairmen and Chief Executives of NHS bodies in Wales. In 1994 Dave joined District Audit as a Value for Money specialist, and held various roles within District Audit and the Audit Commission in Wales before transferring to the Wales Audit Office when it was created in 2005.  

He was appointed to the role of Director of Health & Social Care in 2008 and is currently the Director with responsibility for the NHS Performance Audit team, and the Performance Development and Guidance function. He is also the engagement lead for our liaison work with Healthcare Inspectorate Wales. 

Dave lives in Cardiff with his partner and their three children. Outside of work he sits as a magistrate and when time and money allows he enjoys travelling, cooking, gardening and watching sport.   

David Nicholson, Managing Director UKMENA, Tektology 

David Nicholson is the Managing Director of Tektology in the UK, Middle East, and North America — a consultancy focused on health system design, digital innovation, smart hospitals, new facilities, and transformation. With more than 20 years of senior executive experience at the highest levels, his career spans Australia, New Zealand, Canada, India, and the UK, where he has worked on complex healthcare and public-sector challenges across diverse settings. 

David has led major initiatives in service redesign, digital integration, and the development of innovative care models, particularly in the context of large-scale infrastructure and transformation programmes. 

His work includes projects with NHS trusts and NHS England’s New Hospital Programme, where he serves as an Independent Technical Review Panel member and digital adviser, as well as with NHS Wales organisations and national bodies supporting system-wide digital transformation. Internationally, his experience extends across Australia and New Zealand, where he has contributed to strategic digital transformations and the creation of patient-centred care pathways, and across Canada and India, where he has supported large-scale health improvement projects aligning policy, technology, and outcomes. 

Before joining Tektology, David served for eight years as a Deputy Director-General (Deputy Secretary) in the Tasmanian and Victorian Governments, leading multi-billion-dollar portfolios spanning health, human services, justice, policy, corporate services, intergovernmental affairs, and regulatory reform. 

At Tektology, David has been instrumental in developing innovative methodologies — including the digital factory and digital-physical blueprint approaches — which help organisations incubate, evaluate, and scale new technologies rapidly. His work focuses on practical solutions to complex challenges, integrating strategic policy, digital tools, and operational redesign to enhance healthcare delivery and outcomes. 

Dr David Foxwell, National Co-lead, Primary Care and Community Research Delivery Centre, Health and Care Research Wales 

David Foxwell is a GP at Cathays Surgery as well as one of the co-leads of a new Primary Care and Community Research Delivery Centre which aims to increase capacity of the generalist care workforce to engage with research. His work, alongside Professor Andrew Carson Stevens will look to expand the capacity of existing commercially-active general practices and develop new ways of delivering research. 

David Hewitt, Chief Digital Information Officer, North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust 

David Hewitt is a seasoned, highly qualified digital leader with a proven record delivering transformation across organisations and regions, creating value for patients, staff and systems. He crafts and executes digital strategies that drive innovation and operational performance, aligning technology to strategic priorities and frontline needs. David focuses on unlocking the full potential of digital to deliver measurable benefits organisation-wide and make digital a cornerstone of immediate improvements and long-term goals for NSCHT and partners. 

David Morris, Senior Healthcare Partner Lead, PwC 

David leads the UK practice in Wales and the Midlands. Specialising in financial improvement and a clinician by background, he has supported 100+ NHS organisations through complex improvement programs across Wales and England; most recently, he supported Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin ICS to deliver £90m in-year savings as part of the NHS England I&I programme and is currently working with another Welsh Health Board; he previously led our financial improvement work with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.    

Prof Dev Datta, Consultant in Metabolic Medicine, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board 

Dev studied medicine in Cardiff, trained in cardiology and general medicine, specialised in medical biochemistry and metabolic medicine, and was appointed consultant in 2011.  

 Dev is clinical lead for Cardiff’s lipoprotein apheresis and specialist weight management services, and medical lead for the Welsh Familial Hypercholesterolaemia cascade testing programme. He also runs a clinical nutrition service for complications of eating disorders, is a trustee of HEART UK, and course director for the MSc in Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine.  

Dyfed Edwards, Chair, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board 

Previously Dyfed was an Independent Member on the Board of Public Health Wales and Deputy Chair of the Welsh Revenue Authority.     

Dyfed is past Leader of Gwynedd Council, a position he held between 2008 and 2017, when he stood down as an elected representative.  

He was also Vice President of the Welsh Local Government Association and served as a representative on the Welsh Government/Welsh Local Government Association Finance Sub-Group and as spokesperson on housing, the Welsh language, heritage, sport and the arts during this period.   

Dyfed has also served as member of the Welsh Government Expert Group on Housing an Ageing Population and the Welsh Government Welsh Speaking Communities Task and Finish Group.  

Dyfed has wide knowledge of education in Wales as a past teacher and governor of both primary and secondary schools having held the position of portfolio leader for education in Gwynedd prior to his appointment as Leader.  

He has served on voluntary and third sector organisations in Gwynedd and has experience in the SME sector establishing a music publishing business before taking up his post as leader of Gwynedd.  

Dyfed was recognised with the award of Welsh Local Politician of the Year in 2009.  

He was born and brought up in Rhosllannerchrugog, Wrexham and now lives in Penygroes, Gwynedd.  In his leisure time Dyfed enjoys sport, the arts, walking and reading.  

The Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE, Chair, Sports Wales 

The Baroness Grey-Thompson DBE DL was appointed Chair of Sports Wales in March 2022. 

Born in Cardiff, Tanni was educated at Loughborough University. She was appointed to the House of Lords in 2010, taking her seat on the Crossbenches, working across a range of areas including sport and physical activity, disability rights and transport. 

Tanni is a paralympic wheelchair athlete, part of the BP Paralympic Team between 1988 and 2004. She competed at five Paralympic Games; winning 16 medals including 11 golds, and was team captain in the 2006 Commonwealth Games. She won the London Wheelchair Marathon six times and has held over thirty world records throughout her career. 

Tanni was Chair of UKactive between 2015 – 2022 and is currently the Chair of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards. 

Helen Thomas, Chief Executive, Digital Health and Care Wales 

Helen has been the CEO of Digital Health and Care Wales since 2021. Helen led the organisation through its transition to a Special Health Authority in April 2021. Since then, under Helen’s leadership, DHCW has developed as an expert national body providing national digital and data services which support the delivery of health and social care in Wales.  

Helen has worked in the NHS for over 30 years, initially working in finance, moving into health information in 2000. She has gained wide health informatics experience across a number of senior roles over the last 20 years and has spearheaded digital transformation to deliver more effective and safer care. 

Helen was named Digital NHS CEO of the year in 2021 and has an MSc in Health Informatics from Swansea University. She is a leading practitioner of the Federation of Informatics Professionals, a fellow of the British Computer Society and a Professor of Practice at University of Wales Trinity St David. 

In her time as CEO, Helen has made considerable ground in leading DHCW, not just to deliver major digital and data services to NHS partners, but to become a supportive and inclusive organisation and is passionate about being a role model for staff. 

Helen recognises the importance of supporting communities and ensuring that no one is left behind by digital transformation. As part of her commitment to this, Helen chairs DHCW’s digital inclusion group which looks at how the organisation works with partners to support those who might not have the skills or access to benefit from digital change. 

Dr Helen Wang, South Pembrokeshire GP Cluster Lead

Dr Helen Wang is a General Practitioner with over 25 years in medicine and more than 22 years of service in South Wales. After graduating from medical school in Scotland, Helen undertook surgical training and rotations before transitioning to general practice, where a passion for holistic, community-based care became central to her career.

Helen is a grassroots rural GP partner for the past 14 years, has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing primary care in rural settings.

In addition to clinical practice, Helen has spent the last three years leading cluster development and integrated community-based care initiatives in South Pembrokeshire. As the South Pembrokeshire Cluster Lead, oversee collaboration between GP practices, community pharmacists, opticians, dental professionals, and other allied health partners to improve population health and service delivery.

Helen Watkins, Executive Director of Workforce and Organisational Development, Health Education and Improvement Wales 

Appointed in August 2024, Helen Watkins leads HEIW’s workforce strategy and organisational development, shaping a skilled, sustainable NHS Wales workforce. With 30+ years’ experience, she has held senior roles across health boards and trusts, driving workforce modernisation, service redesign, and integration across health and social care. At HEIW, she has led future-focused workforce plans, the All-Wales Retention Programme, and the NHS Wales Staff survey, championing inclusive leadership, staff wellbeing, and long term workforce resilience.  

Jake Smith, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Officer, Carers Wales 

Jake Smith is the Senior Policy and Public Affairs Officer at Carers Wales. He joined Carers Wales in 2020, where he works with political and sector stakeholders to influence public policy, shape sector practice and strengthen the carer voice in decision making. He also leads the delivery of a regular programme of social worker training sessions delivered as part of the Carer Aware project. Until recently, Jake was the Chair of Public Affairs Cymru 

Dr Jamie Duckers, Speciality Lead for Respiratory, Health and Care Research Wales 

Jamie qualified from University of Wales College of Medicine in 2000 and was appointed as Consultant Respiratory Physician in 2009 at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. He is the Clinical Lead for Cystic Fibrosis and Respiratory research in the Wales Commercial Research Centre. Research Lead for the All Wales Adult Cystic Fibrosis Service, Health and Care Research Wales Respiratory Specialty Lead and National Clinical Lead for Rare Disease in Wales.   

Dr Jen Daffin, Community Clinical Psychologist and Director of Relational Practice, Policy and Campaigns, Platfform 

Jen has worked at Platfform for four years. Jen leads and supports the Platfform team to be trauma informed in their practice, and leads on the policy and campaigns work. She previously spent 15years working across NHS mental health and learning disability services, working with some of the most vulnerable people in our society.   

Jeremy Miles MS, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Welsh Government 

Jeremy Miles was born and raised in Pontarddulais. As a Welsh speaker, he was educated at Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera in the Swansea Valley and New College, Oxford where he studied law. Following graduation, Jeremy taught law at Warsaw University in Poland. Later, Jeremy practised as a solicitor in London and then held senior legal and commercial posts in media sector businesses, including ITV and the US television network and film studio NBC Universal. After returning to live in Wales Jeremy set up his own consultancy working with international clients in the broadcast and digital sectors.  

Jeremy was elected to the National Assembly for Wales for the Neath constituency in May 2016 as the Labour and Co-operative party candidate. On 16 November 2017, Jeremy was appointed Counsel General and on 13 December 2018 he was appointed Counsel General and Minister for Brexit. Jeremy was appointed Minister for Education and Welsh Language on 13 May 2021, and Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language on 21 March 2024. Jeremy was appointed Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care on 11 September 2024.  

Joe Castle, Head of External Affairs & Operations (Wales), The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) 

Joe Castle is Head of External Affairs & Operations (Wales) at The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI). Following a career in NHS Wales, she now supports the ABPI’s mission to make the UK the best place in the world to research, develop and access medicines and vaccines to improve patient care. She works in partnership with government and the NHS so Welsh patients can get new treatments faster and the NHS can plan its medicines spend.  

Jonathan Morgan, Chair, Welsh NHS Confederation 

Jonathan is Chair of Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board and has worked across health, social care and housing in a range of senior and non-executive roles.   

Prior to taking up the post of Chair at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, Jonathan was Chair of Hafod Housing Association in South Wales, delivering social housing and a range of social care services across Cardiff, the Vale, Bridgend, and RCT. 

He was also an Independent Member of the Board at Health Education and Improvement Wales and served on the Audit Committee for the Public Services Ombudsman and Future Generations Commissioner. 

After leaving the National Assembly for Wales in 2011, he has spent the past 12 years working across health, social care, and housing in a variety of senior and non-executive roles. 

Jonathan is passionate about the potential for organisations to work better together and places a huge value on the scope for collaboration. He has a strong interest in mental health services, having introduced legislation to improve services in Wales.  

Jonathan is the Chair of the Remuneration & Terms of Service Committee. 

Katrina Lowndes, Solutions Implementation Manager - UK, Novartis 

Katrina has dedicated over 27 years to the pharmaceutical industry, amassing extensive experience across all UK healthcare systems. With a profound passion for Re-imagining Care Partnerships, she excels in scoping and delivering system strengthening and sustainable solutions aimed at enhancing NHS and Patient care.  

Kirsty Williams, Chair, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board 

Appointed by the Health Secretary in July 2025, Kirsty Williams CBE began her role as Chair of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board in October. 

Kirsty is originally from Carmarthenshire and now lives in Brecon. She was elected to the Senedd in 1999 leading the Welsh Liberal Democrats from 2008 to 2016 and later serving as Minister for Education from 2016 to 2021. 

In recognition of her public and political service, Kirsty was awarded a CBE in 2013. She was also made an honorary fellow of the Royal College of Nursing in 2016 for her support of the Nurse Staffing Level Act. 

In 2022 Kirsty retired as a Member of the Senedd and was appointed Vice-Chair of Powys Teaching Health Board, a position she held until her recent appointment. Kirsty also serves as a Commissioner for the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and holds leadership roles in education and transport committees. 

Leanne Spencer, international keynote speaker and bestselling author 

Leanne Spencer is an award-winning speaker and a leading voice on integrating wellbeing into high performance cultures. With over 13 years in the wellbeing sector, 13 qualifications in exercise and nutrition, and more than 1,000 presentations delivered, she brings deep expertise to every stage.  
Leanne has delivered a TEDx talk with over 132,000 views, authored three bestselling books including Cadence, a finalist in the Business Book Awards, and was Highly Commended in the Speaker Awards in 2023.  
Through her signature keynotes — Cadence, BOND and Sustain — Leanne shows audiences how to achieve sustainable performance by managing energy, strengthening connection and building personal resilience 

Lesley Birkin, Head of Digital Transformation Delivery, North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust 

Lesley leads multi-disciplinary teams to deliver patient-centred digital change that improves access and safety. A passionate advocate for digital inclusion, Lesley champions co-design with service users and frontline clinicians, turning strategy into measurable benefits. Her work spans records, patient-facing tools, and automation, freeing time for care. With a background in complex programmes, she brings leadership, rigour, and focus on outcomes. 

Matthew Brown, Deputy Chief Executive, WCVA 

Matthew Brown is Deputy Chief Executive of WCVA, the national membership body for voluntary organisations in Wales. Matt is focused on creating the conditions for voluntary organisations and volunteers in Wales to thrive. Matthew represents WCVA on national partnerships, contributes to policy development across government and public services, and is a trustee and community volunteer himself. He is passionate about prevention, collaboration, and the role of volunteering in building resilient communities.  

Meinir Jones, Non-Executive Director, Life Sciences Hub Wales 

A Welsh-speaking GP from Swansea, Meinir boasts over 25 years of system-wide clinical experience. Her impressive journey includes significant contributions to trauma and emergency medicine, musculoskeletal and sports medicine, and value-based healthcare approaches.  

Meinir has also served as the Associate Medical Director for Transformation and Value-Based Health Care at Hywel Dda University Health Board since 2017.   

And In her current role as National Clinical Director [Interim] within the NHS Executive, Meinir oversees 11 National Strategic Clinical Networks.   

Michael Wood, Head of Health Economic Partnerships, NHS Confederation 

Michael is the Head of Health Economic Partnerships at the NHS Confederation.   

Prior to this he developed and held the role of NHS local growth adviser from 2015, for some of this time working as Deputy Local Growth Consultant for the Higher Education Funding Council for England.   

He was the Senior European Policy Manager at the NHS European Office for more than seven years and has worked for the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman and as a Member of the European Parliament in Brussels.    

As Head of Health Economic Partnerships, Michael advises NHS leaders nationally and locally on policy, strategy, partnerships and funding relating to the local economy, including in areas such as skills and workforce, estates, innovation, population health and finance.    

Michael currently holds national advisory positions on the Civic University Network and the National Civic Impact Accelerator, as well as the Midlands Engine Health Board. He also advised NHS London on the development of its NHS Anchor Network.   

Neil Mesher, Non-Executive Director, Life Sciences Hub Wales 

Neil Mesher has an impressive 27-year career at Philips, marked by a series of senior leadership positions spanning the UK, Sweden, and the Netherlands.  

Beyond his commitments at Philips, Neil has been a non-executive director at Cardiff-based MyHealthChecked since 2017. This role has granted him invaluable insights into the world of early-stage SMEs.  

In parallel with his corporate responsibilities, Neil joined the Board of the Association of British Healthtech Industries in 2014, eventually taking the helm as Chair in 2022.  

Neil Wooding, Chair, Hywel Dda University Health Board  

Neil joined Hywel Dda as Chair of the Board in June 2024. 

Having spent most of his working life as a public servant, Neil is passionate about how we care for ourselves and others. During his career, he has had the pleasure of holding senior roles in central, regional, and local government as well as the NHS and the third sector. Neil’s most recent role was Executive Director in the Cabinet Office and the Chief People Officer in the Ministry of Justice (2018-2021). In addition to his Executive roles, I also recently held the role of a Non-Executive Director with the Scottish Government. 

As well as being Chair of the health board Neil is also the Chair of the Wales Council for Voluntary Action. Neil has spent much of his spare time working as a volunteer since his teenage years. Neil is a Companion of the Chartered Institute of People Management and was fortunate to be awarded a CBE in 2022 for services to Social Justice and Equality. 

In addition to Neil’s professional experience of the NHS and public service, he is also a member of his local community and has first-hand experience of their services. 

Neil is a passionate advocate for health and well-being, and particularly value’s how we can all, as individuals and communities, play a part in enabling the best health outcomes. Being a resident of Ceredigion, he has a vested interest in seeing his health board succeed – for the benefit of current and future generations alike. 

In his personal time, he enjoys exploring all that his local area has to offer. Neil lives on a small farm overlooking Cardigan Bay and particularly likes walking the coastal path and enjoying the diversity of our natural environment. 

Paul Mears, Chief Executive, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board

Paul Mears has been Chief Executive of Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board since September 2020.  Paul is the national CEO lead in the Welsh NHS for innovation and also leads the delivery of value based healthcare across the country. 

Prior to this role Paul spent two years as independent management consultant advising a number of clients in both the public and private healthcare sector as well as digital healthcare businesses.  This included is working as a Senior Advisor to McKinsey & Company. Paul was previously Chief Executive of Yeovil District Hospital in Somerset where he established the Symphony Programme designed to integrate care across primary care, the acute hospital and community services. Paul started his NHS career in Torbay where he was instrumental in setting up Torbay Care Trust and leading the operational business of one of the first integrated community health and social care organisations in England as well as working as Chief Operating Officer at Torbay Hospital. 

Pete Johnson, Commercial Director, Platfform Wellbeing

Pete has led teams across the sporting, education and charity sectors in diverse research and leadership roles. At Platfform he manages the strategic approach in offering workplace services to develop a trauma informed and relational approaches to leaders, workforce and in our partnerships. Alongside his professional experience Pete uses his own lived experience to advocate for others looking for wellbeing support.

Pippa Britton, Chair, Public Health Wales NHS Trust 

Pippa joined Public Health Wales in December 2024 from her previous position as Vice Chair of Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.  

Pippa is a double Paralympian who competed on the Welsh and GB archery teams for 15 years and achieved podium places at six World Championships and 24 international events. Whilst competing, she also was a coach and mentor to development squad athletes and became the first para-archery athlete committee member at World Archery.  

Pippa has continued to passionately contribute to sport in Wales and was awarded an OBE in 2023 for her services to sport.   

Pippa has served as the Chair of Disability Sport Wales, the Vice-Chair of Sport Wales, the Vice-Chair of UK Anti Doping and as a Charity Commission Wales Board Member.  

Rachel Gemine, Assistant Director of Evidence, Evaluation and Effectiveness, NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee 

Dr. Rachel Gemine serves as the Assistant Director of Evidence, Evaluation and Effectiveness for the NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee. In this role, she provides evidence-based advice to support the commissioning of health services in Wales. She is also an Honorary Senior Lecturer at Swansea University and a Trustee of the UK R&D Forum.  

In addition to her research work, Dr. Gemine is also passionate about leadership and management in healthcare and is an Associate Editor at BMJ Leader.  

Rhodri Griffiths, Innovation Adoption Director, Life Sciences Hub Wales 

Rhodri joined Life Sciences Hub Wales as Innovation Adoption Director in September 2020, following a three-year term serving the organisation as a board member.   

He’s held a variety of senior management positions in the commercial, public and voluntary sectors working with and for healthcare providers, pharma and medtech internationally, delivering public private partnerships, major transformation programmes and new technology and service adoption programmes.  

Richard Adams, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Velindre Cancer Centre and Cardiff University

Richard Adams is Professor and Honorary Consultant Clinical Oncologist at Cardiff University and Velindre Cancer Centre. He is Director of Cancer Trials for the Centre for Trials Research and clinical Director of the Wales Cancer Bank. His clinical practice and research is focused on lower gastrointestinal cancers. He is chair of the National Cancer Research Institute CTRad WS2 (UK radiotherapy research) subgroup and the Clinical Expert Review Panel for CRUK. He is active in national and international research organisations including IRCI the International Rare Cancer Initiative (for anal cancer) and ARCAD (for metastatic colorectal cancer).

Richard chairs the biomarker development group for the UK phase III FOCUS4 trial in metastatic colorectal cancer and is Chief investigator for the FOCUS4 D and N trials. He leads on the radiotherapy quality assurance programme for the UK rectal cancer trials. He has a role within Wales to engage researchers in cancer clinical research . He oversees collaborative translational research in numerous phase II/ III colorectal cancer trials. He was a founder member of and now chairs the South Wales Sierra Leone Cancer Care link.

Richard Craven, Regional Managing Director, Dedalus UK & Ireland

Rob Osborne, ITV national correspondent, presenter, writer 

Rob Osborne is one of Wales’s leading broadcasters, best known as a presenter with ITV Cymru Wales. He fronts Wales This Week and serves as the station’s National Correspondent. Formerly the presenter of the political programme Sharp End, Rob is recognised for turning complex issues into clear, compelling stories. He is a three-time winner of the Welsh Television Journalist of the Year. 

Rob Simkins, Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Carers Wales 

Rob is the Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Carers Wales, the national campaigning charity for unpaid carers. He is responsible for ensuring the voices of unpaid carers in Wales are heard at the highest level of policymaking in Wales and across the UK.  

Dr Sian Morgan, Head of Laboratory at NHS Wales, All Wales Medical Genomics Service

Sian has worked in the All Wales Genetics Laboratory for 28 years after initially joining the service in 1991 as a Cytogeneticist. She is now a Consultant Clinical Scientist and a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath). Sian was recently appointed Head of Laboratory at a significant time of growth for genomics and precision medicine in Wales and oversees the All Wales Medical Genomics Service part of the Wales Commercial Research Delivery Centre.  

Sian Richards, Executive Director of Digital, Data & Engagement, Health Education and Improvement Wales 

Appointed in 2021 as HEIW’s first digital Board executive, Sian leads digital and data transformation, workforce intelligence and planning, and communications. She has delivered the organisation’s first digital and data strategy, an all-Wales learning management system, and the Building a Digitally Ready Workforce programme. With over 20 years in NHS Wales, she combines senior digital leadership with frontline expertise to shape national strategies, empower staff, and drive innovation to improve care.  

Simon Jones, Head of Policy and Campaigns, Mind Cymru 

Simon has over twenty years experience working in policy, public affairs and communications, holding a variety of senior roles. He has been Head of Policy & Campaigns at Mind Cymru since 2018, leading all of Mind’s policy and campaigning work in Wales.  His previous roles include Head of Communications at Sport Wales and Policy and Public Affairs Manager at NSPCC Cymru/Wales. He started his career working for a Member of Parliament in Westminster following a degree in political studies from Aberystwyth University.  

Sioned Williams, Carer Aware Project Coordinator, Carers Trust 

Sioned has worked as a project coordinator for the Carer Aware Project for the past year. Her role has involved developing Carer Aware resource packages for pre-registered health care professionals, as well as Carer Aware induction training packages for registered health care professionals. Sioned has worked with a range of different stakeholders including carer leads, third sector organisations and unpaid carers to develop interactive training material that is reflective of the experiences of unpaid carers within the health care setting 

Sue O’Leary, Director, Mind Cymru 

Sue leads Mind’s work in Wales, working with Local Mind leaders and partners. She chairs the Wales Alliance for Mental Health, to influence government and the mental health system in Wales. Sue also leads the Time to Change Wales campaign, to tackle discrimination and stigma within diverse and disadvantaged communities, in partnership. Sue’s background is in Criminal Justice, where she held senior leadership roles in the Prison Service, Probation Service and Ministry of Justice.  

Suzanne Rankin, Chief Executive, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board 

Suzanne began her nursing career in the Royal Navy, qualifying in 1990 and later earning an MA in Defence Studies. She advised on nursing strategy at the Ministry of Defence before joining the NHS in 2008. She became CEO of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board in 2022, following leadership roles at Ashford and St Peter’s. Suzanne champions collaboration, resilience, and care quality, and leads national programmes including Genomics Partnership Wales and Advanced Therapies Wales.
 

Lord Victor Adebowale CBE, Chair, NHS Confederation 

Victor became Chair of the NHS Confederation in April 2020. Before this, he was Chief Executive of Turning Point, a social enterprise.  

He is a Non-Executive Director of the Co-Operative Group, Collaborate CIC, Nuffield Health, Visionable and Leadership in Mind. He is also the Chair of Social Enterprise UK. Victor served for six years as a Non-Executive Director on the Board of NHS England. He has chaired a number of commission reports into: policing; employment; mental health; housing and fairness for The London Fairness Commission; the Metropolitan Police; and for central and local government. He was awarded a CBE for services to the unemployed and homeless people and became a crossbench peer in 2001 

Victor is a visiting Professor and Chancellor at the University of Lincoln; an honorary member of the Institute of Psychiatry; President of The International Association of Philosophy and Psychiatry and a Governor at The London School of Economics.  

Victor has an MA in Advanced Organisational Consulting from Tavistock Institute and City University.  

Zoe Hilton, Innovation Programme Manager, Cardiff and Value University Health Board 

Zoe Hilton is the Innovation Programme Manager at Cardiff & Vale UHB, leading transformative change through cross-sector collaboration to assess, develop, and adopt health innovations. With a strong commitment to equity, and inclusion, she empowers patients and staff to co-create services that meet real needs. A nurse with expertise in clinical research, leadership, and international humanitarian aid, she recently completed an MSc in Advanced Healthcare Innovation and Transformation, driving bold, strategic, and people-centred innovation.