The Pen y Cymoedd Wind Farm Community Fund offers a new, substantial source of funding for community groups and businesses across the upper reaches of the Neath, Afan, Rhondda and Cynon valleys. The Fund is managed by an independent Community Interest Company, and its six original Directors were openly appointed in June 2016.
Each Board member can serve no more than two 3-year terms, ensuring that membership is refreshed over the life of the Fund. In June, we will be sad to say goodbye to Bob Chapman. Bob has been a key presence in the Afan Valley for many years, developing innovative services, including the Upper Afan Valley Citizens Advice Bureau – the first mobile CAB in Wales. He has served on national bodies as well as local organisations which are the life-blood of the community. Bob was instrumental in setting up the Fund and worked tirelessly to establish the structure of the Board, and has enjoyed his time as a Director – “we have made tremendous progress and PyC is ready now, with the new injection of talent from new Board members, to move forward into a significant new phase of development of the Fund. I wish you all well.”
Marc Phillips, Chair said “we all very much appreciate Bob’s contribution since the creation of the Fund – his attention to detail, his willingness to get involved in all aspects of the company’s needs, his keen strategic vision and his deeply rooted experience in community development are amongst the many qualities that will be missed.”
Although we will miss Bob, we are delighted to offer a warm welcome to our two new Board members – Martin Veale and Michelle Coburn-Hughes – both appointed after an open recruitment process earlier this year.
Martin is a qualified accountant and auditor, risk management and governance expert. Martin is also an experienced board member and is currently a board member and chair of audit at Sport Wales and at Velindre University NHS Trust.
Michelle has been employed by RCT CBC’s Education and Children’s Services since 1996, and is now Business and Facilities Manager at Ferndale Community School. Michelle is also the Managing and Founding Director of The Fern Partnership.
You can read more about all our Board members here: https://penycymoeddcic.cymru/directors-and-staff/
Don’t forget, if you are passionate about this area, and excited about what the Fund can achieve we will be looking for new members to join our Board in 2020. We particularly welcome applications from people who live or work in the Fund area.