Neil Wooding

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.