We’re announcing some important changes to our Board of Directors. As we welcome new voices, we also take a moment to say a heartfelt thank you and farewell to two long-standing Board Members, Michelle Coburn-Hughes and Martin Veale. Their leadership, commitment and contribution have been instrumental in shaping our work and values, and they leave with our deepest gratitude and best wishes for the future.
At the same time, we’re delighted to welcome Ashar and Kathryn as new members of our Board.
Ashar has lived in the Fund area since 2021. He is the CEO of Creative Opps CIO, a Trustee of the Tylorstown Welfare Hall, and has dedicated over a decade to helping young people access the tools, networks and experiences they need to lead change in their communities. He has held roles at The National Lottery Community Fund and The Blagrave Trust, focusing on participatory grant-making and youth-led initiatives. Ashar is excited to support PYC’s mission of redistributing wealth and power into communities.
Kathryn brings over 20 years of experience in engineering, energy, waste management, and sustainability consultancy, including a senior leadership role at a global plc. A lifelong resident of the South Wales valleys, Kathryn is passionate about using her expertise to support local environmental and sustainability efforts. She is also a strong advocate for the arts as a driver of community regeneration and serves as a Trustee of Awen Cultural Trust. Outside of work, Kathryn enjoys running, exploring the outdoors with her husband, young daughter, and their dogs, and is a Director of Maesteg parkrun.
We’re excited to begin this new chapter with Ashar and Kathryn, and we look forward to the insight, leadership, and local passion they’ll bring to our work.