Bwrdd Glandŵr Cymru

The board brings knowledge of Wales, its culture, people, and needs to the Trust. Working at a political/governmental level and with other key bodies in Wales to influence Wales' strategies and plans as they relate to waterways. It also advises the Trust on Welsh Government policy and priorities, and acts as a support and sounding board for the trustees, executive and senior management on Welsh matters.

The board has up to 10 members, with experience of working with existing partner organisations and includes people with wider connections in Wales including from public, charitable and private sectors.

Their key areas of expertise are:

• health and wellbeing
• tourism and audience development
• natural, built and social heritage
• the arts
• skills, employment and education
• regeneration and economic development and funding

Members

Steve Thomas, CBE

Steve is the former chief executive of the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA), a position he held for 14 years until the end of 2018. As chief executive of the WLGA, he developed strong connections across Welsh Government and brings an unrivalled understanding of Welsh Local Government, together with knowledge of the wide range of programmes and policies which will influence and impact the Trust's work in Wales. Steve has also held a number of voluntary roles which align with the work of the Trust in Wales, including chairing the Prince's Trust for Wales for five years.

Phil Hughes

Phil originally from North Wales and now living near Newport, is the former manager of the Fourteen Locks Canal Centre in Rogerstone, Newport. For his involvement in Welsh tourism he was made director of Capital Region Tourism which was part of Visit Wales, in the past he has also been chairman and director of Monmouthshire, Brecon & Abergavenny Canals Trust. A self-confessed canalaholic Phil is now retired and is a full time Grandfather. He is also the former owner, publicist and editor of the Mon & Brec Canal Guide and regularly works with TV production companies on the Mon and Brec Canal. Phil was formerly a member of the Trust's South Wales & Severn Waterways Partnership and latterly the South West Regional Advisory Board.

Peter Ogden

Peter is an Independent Environmental and Protected Landscapes Advisor who has been a Technical Advisor to IUCN on World Heritage issues for over 20 years. He works internationally in this capacity and as a member of the World Commission on Protected Areas. He was the Director of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales until 2017 and previously the Snowdonia National Park Authority's Planning Policy Manager. He was the Chairman of the Brecon Beacons Trust for seven years and a Board Member of EUROPARC Atlantic Isles.

Celia Jenkins

Celia's professional background is in marketing and communications. With her husband, she has also renovated, converted and built several buildings into homes, including her current holiday cottage business on the Llangollen Canal. Celia represents the Canal and River Trust on the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct World Heritage Site Board and is a trustee of several local charitable organisations. She was also High Sheriff of Clwyd during 2013 to 2014.