Cross Party Group Details
Cross Party Group Title:
Cross Party Group on Wales International
Group membership and office holders
Name of Group Chair:
Heledd Fychan MS
Names of other Members of the Senedd:
Heledd Fychan MS (Chair)
Rhun ap Iorwerth MS
Alun Davies MS
John Griffiths MS
Darren Millar MS
Ruth Cocks - British Council Wales
Name of Secretary and Organisation:
Ruth Cocks, Director Wales at British Council
Names of other external members and organisations represented:
N/A
Other meetings of the Group since the last AGM
Meeting 1
Date of Meeting:
18th of February 2025
Attendees:
|
Name: |
Title: |
|
Abigail Doyle
|
Project Officer , British Council Wales |
|
Amanda Morgan
|
Project Manager, International Links Global |
|
Andrew Cornish |
Principal of Coleg Sir Gar / Coleg Ceredigion Colegau Cymru
|
|
Anne Morgan |
Head of International Partnerships, Cardiff University
|
|
Bill Burson |
Head of Partnerships, Universities Wales/ Global Wales
|
|
Carol Bell |
Non-Executive Director, Football Association Wales |
|
|
|
|
Carolyn Hitt
|
Head of Radio Wales & Sport, BBC Wales |
|
Catherine Lewis
|
Deputy CEO, NPTC Group |
|
Catherine Paskell
|
Artistic Director , Dirty Protest Theatre |
|
Claire Williams
|
Policy Officer, Colegau Cymru |
|
David Warren |
Head of International Relations , Welsh Govt. |
|
Dean Pymble |
Campaign Manager for Wales , The Red Card Wales
|
|
Eleanor Bevan |
Schools and Youth Programme Manager, Taith
|
|
Elena Schmitz |
Head of Arts Wales, British Council
|
|
Eluned Hâf |
Head of Wales Arts International (WAI)/Arts Council of Wales
|
|
Fadhili Maghiya |
CEO, Sub-Sahara Advisory Panel
|
|
Gary Lewis |
Sports Director , Urdd Gobaith Cymru
|
|
Gavin Price |
Alliance Leader - UK/Europe, Sports Diplomacy Alliance
|
|
Grant Pointer |
CEO, Boys and Girls Club of Wales
|
|
Gwilym Harry-Roberts |
Affairs & Policy Manager, National Museum Wales |
|
|
|
|
Hayley Richard |
Head of Programme Development & Policy, WCIA
|
|
Helen Antoniazzi |
Head of Public Affairs & Sustainability, Football Association Wales
|
|
Ian Gwyn Hughes |
Head of Public Relations, Football Association Wales
|
|
Ioan Bellin
|
Senedd Support Staff for Delyth Jewell |
|
Jane Richardson |
Chief Executive, Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales |
|
Kath Morgan |
Coleg y Cymoedd
|
|
Kieron Rees |
Assistant Director, Global Wales
|
|
Laura Dukes |
Cardiff University
|
|
Mali Thomas |
Director of Communications & International Relations, Urdd Gobaith Cymru |
|
Matthew Willliams |
Head of Policy and Communications Welsh Sports Association
|
|
Morgan Rhys |
Senedd commission staff, translator
|
|
Nia Davies |
Executive Producer, BBC Interactive
|
|
Poppy Riley |
Welsh Sports Association
|
|
Rhiannon Sheen de Jesus |
Youth Voice & Sport System Manager, Street Games Wales
|
|
Robert Baynham |
Active Wellbeing Project Manager, Colegau Cymru
|
|
Rob Humphreys
|
Chair, British Council Wales Advisory Group |
|
Ruben Chapela-Orri |
Bangor University, International Links
|
|
Ruth Cocks |
Director, British Council Wales
|
|
Sarah Jones |
Director, Focus Wales
|
|
Simon Lu |
Participation Officer, Football Association Wales
|
|
Steffan Roberts |
Deputy Director, Culture, Sport and Tourism, Welsh Govt.
|
|
Thomas Davies-Lyons |
Education Manager, British Council Wales
|
|
Zelie Flach
|
European Officer , Wales Arts International/Arts Council of Wales
|
Click or tap here to enter text.
Summary of the issues discussed:
Wales at the Women’s EUROs 2025 (February 2025)
The February CPG focused on planning support for Wales’ Women’s National Team at the UEFA Women’s EUROs 2025, marking the team’s first qualification for a major international tournament. The session brought together partners from sport, culture, education, youth and related sectors to explore opportunities for coordinated activity. Speakers from the Football Association of Wales and the Welsh Government highlighted strong partner interest and encouraged alignment with Welsh Government objectives, including the promotion of Welsh values and women’s and girls’ sport.
Meeting 2
Date of Meeting:
8th of July 2025
Attendees:
|
Name: |
Title: |
|
Heledd Fychan MS |
Chair (Member of the Senedd) |
|
Brooke Webb |
Support Staff (Heledd Fychan MS) |
|
Sara Treble-Parry |
Project Officer, British Council Wales |
|
Abigail Llewellyn |
Operations Manager, Cardiff University |
|
Anjali Sanders |
Policy Officer (East Asia and Americas), Universities UK International |
|
April Heade |
Senior Producer - Arts and Health programme, Welsh National Opera |
|
Ben Pettitt-Wade |
Artistic Director/Co-CEO, Hijinx |
|
Brian Weir |
Director of Academic Administration and Student Experience, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama |
|
Carys Wynne-Morgan |
CEO, The Aloud Charity |
|
Chris Ricketts |
General Manager, National Dance Company Wales |
|
Conny Matera-Rogers |
Provost and APVC International, University of Wales Trinity Saint David |
|
Dafydd Tudur |
Head of Engagement, National Library of Wales |
|
David Wilson |
Advisory Group member, British Council Arts and Creative Economy Advisory Group |
|
Dom Hastings |
Director Arts, British Council China; Culture Counsellor of the Culture Education Section of the British Embassy |
|
Elena Schmitz |
Head of Arts Wales, British Council |
|
Evan Dawson |
CEO, National Youth Arts Wales |
|
I-Ting Kao |
Lecturer in Chinese Studies, Cardiff University |
|
Jennifer Dudley |
Arts Manager, British Council |
|
Jocelyn Spittle |
Executive Officer, Cardiff University - Cardiff Confucius Institute |
|
Leah Coffey |
Consultant - Language Assistants, British Council |
|
Liz Jones |
National Trust Cymru |
|
Louise Amery |
Deputy Director, Aberystwyth Arts Centre |
|
Madelaine Phillips |
Senedd Research, Senedd |
|
Maggie Russell |
Chair, Arts Council of Wales |
|
Michelle Perez |
Executive Director, Theatr Iolo |
|
Nan Sun |
International Development Manager, Wrexham University |
|
Nico Ferguson |
Assistant Consultant, British Council |
|
Nikki Morgan |
Senior International Officer, Wales Arts International |
|
Osian Gwynn |
Director, Pontio Arts |
|
Ralph Rogers |
Regional Head, China at the British Council |
|
Ramakanta Patra |
Senior Lecturer in Economics, Cardiff Metropolitan University |
|
Ruben Chapela-Orri |
Project Manager, International Links Global |
|
Ruth Cocks |
Country Director Wales & Country Education Lead, British Council |
|
Sara Moran |
International, EU & Trade Senior Researcher, Senedd |
|
Sarah Jones |
Director, FOCUS Wales |
|
Sian Holleran |
Project Manager - International, Colleges Wales |
|
Steffan Donnelly |
Artistic Director and Joint CEO, Theatr Cymru |
|
Susana Galvan Hernandez |
Executive Director, Taith |
|
Thomas Davies-Lyons |
Education Manager, British Council |
|
Victoria Ucele |
Schools Project Manager, Cardiff University - Cardiff Confucius Institute |
|
Xiaoli Wu |
Lecturer and Programme Director for Chinese Studies, Cardiff University |
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Summary of the issues discussed:
China Capability: Building for the Future (July 2025)
The July CPG examined Wales’ engagement with China in the context of the UK Government’s China Audit. British Council China specialists provided geopolitical context and emphasised the importance of building long-term China capability. The session coincided with the launch of the British Council’s A Guide to Arts and Culture Opportunities in China (2025), supporting informed engagement with China’s cultural and creative sectors. The discussion highlighted cautious but renewed interest from the Welsh higher education and arts sectors. Following the CPG, the British Council launched China Travel Grants for Arts, providing Wales-based artists and arts organisations the opportunity to travel to mainland China to explore partnerships and festivals.
Meeting 3
Date of Meeting:
25th of November 2025
Attendees:
|
Name: |
Title: |
|
Heledd Fychan MS |
Chair, Senedd Constituency Member |
|
Eleri Morgan |
Translator |
|
Adele Thomas |
Co-General Director/ CEO, Welsh National Opera |
|
Alexandra Nita |
Project Coordinator, MFL Mentoring |
|
Alun Davies MS |
Senedd Constituency Member |
|
Alun Gruffudd |
Communications and Parliamentary Affairs Officer |
|
Amanda Morgan |
Project Manager, International Links Global |
|
Aneurin Minton |
Staff Lindsay Whittle |
|
Angharad Davies |
Staff Rhys ab Owen |
|
Angharad Jones Leefe |
Cyfarwyddwr Gweithredol a Chyd-Brif Weithredwr, Theatr Cymru |
|
Annika Axelsen |
Study Abroad Coordinator, Cardiff University |
|
Brooke Webb |
Communications Officer and Parliamentary Affairs Officer |
|
Catherine Young |
Artistic Director, Dawns i Bawb |
|
Catrin James |
Head of Policy Grants and Governance, Urdd Gobaith Cymru |
|
Catrin Roberts |
Pennaeth Cysylltiadau Allanol, Cyfathrebu a Nawdd, Amgueddfa Cymru |
|
Christine Monks |
EU & International Development Officer, Bangor University |
|
Dafydd Rhys |
Chief Executive, Arts Council of Wales |
|
Deborah Keyser |
Director, Tŷ Cerdd - Music Centre Wales |
|
Derek Walker |
Future Generations Commissioner for Wales |
|
Dr Bethan Gordon |
Dean of the School of Art & Design, Cardiff Metropolitan University |
|
Elena Schmitz |
Head of Arts Wales, British Council |
|
Ellie Bevan |
Head of Programmes, Policy and Engagement, Taith |
|
Eluned Hâf |
Head of Wales Arts International (Arts Council of Wales) |
|
Fadhili Maghiya |
CEO, Watch-Africa CIC |
|
Gabriela María Alonso López |
Spanish Embassy Education Office in the UK |
|
Glesni Owen |
Operations Manager, MFL Mentoring |
|
Glesni Price |
Producer, Theatr Iolo |
|
Guto Brychan |
Chief Executive, Clwb Ifor Bach |
|
Gwenda Carnie |
Director/Business Affairs Advisor/Non-Practicing Solicitor, Industry Media Consulting Ltd |
|
Hayley Richards |
Head of Programme Development & Policy, Welsh Centre for International Affairs |
|
Howard Batey |
Programme Manager - Going Global Partnerships, British Council |
|
Ioan Bellin |
Staff Delyth Jewell |
|
Jennifer Dudley |
Arts Manager Wales, British Council |
|
Joe Paley |
Head of International and Partnership Development, University of South Wales |
|
Julia Barry |
Chief Executive, Sherman Theatre |
|
Laura Davies |
Director of Communications, Marketing and Student Recruitment, Cardiff University |
|
Lee Walters |
Chief Executive Officer, Ffilm Cymru Wales |
|
Lhosa Daly |
Director for Wales, National Trust Cymru |
|
Lisa Tregale |
Director, BBC National Orchestra & Chorus of Wales |
|
Louise Miles-Payne |
Director, Creu Cymru |
|
Lucy Jenkins |
Principal Investigator, MFL Mentoring Project |
|
Michelle Perez |
Executive Director, Theatr Iolo |
|
Mick Antoniw MS |
Senedd Constituency Member |
|
Nigel Holt |
Associate Pro Vice Chancellor International, Aberystwyth University |
|
Osian Gwynn |
Director, Pontio Arts Centre - Bangor University |
|
Professor Paul Davies |
Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Wrexham University |
|
Professor Rachael Langford |
President and Vice-Chancellor, Cardiff Metropolitan University |
|
Rhian Gibson |
Director of Communication and Engagement, National Library of Wales |
|
Rhiannon Wyn Hughes |
Executive Director, Wicked Wales Film |
|
Rose Matthews |
Head, Global Opportunities, Cardiff University |
|
Ruth Cayford |
Head of Culture and Creative Industries, Cardiff Council |
|
Ruth Cocks |
Country Director Wales, British Council |
|
Sara Moran |
Senior Researcher, Senedd Research |
|
Sara Novo Loureiro |
Project Coordinator Overseas Programme, Coleg Gwent |
|
Sara Treble-Parry |
Project Support Officer Wales, British Council |
|
Sarah Boswell |
Chief Executive Officer, Wales Netball |
|
Sharon Davies-Smith |
College Director / Principal, The College, Swansea University |
|
Sharon Gilburd |
CEO, Welsh National Theatre |
|
Sian Holleran |
International Project Manager, ColegauCymru |
|
Thomas Davies-Lyons |
Education Manager Wales, British Council |
|
Tom Woodward |
Assistant Director, Universities Wales |
|
Vanessa Palmer |
Assistant Headteacher, Ysgol Calon Lan |
|
Victoria Ucele |
Schools Project Manager, Cardiff Confucius Institute (Cardiff University) |
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Summary of the issues discussed:
Senedd Elections: International Priorities (November 2025)
The November CPG considered Wales’ international priorities ahead of the Senedd elections in May 2026 and the development of party manifestos. Reflections from Arts Council of Wales, Universities Wales, the Office of the Future Generations Commissioner, Colleges Wales and others informed an open discussion on Wales’ global positioning. Key themes included support for the return to Erasmus+, the complementary role of Taith for schools and youth sectors, the need for an International Higher Education Strategy, and the importance of integrated ministerial leadership across culture, language and international portfolio
Professional lobbyists, voluntary organisations and charities the Group have met during the previous year.
[names of lobbyists/organisations/charities should be included as follows, e.g.]
Name of Organisation:
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Name of Group:
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Name of Organisation:
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Name of Group:
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Annual Financial Statement
Cross Party Group Title:
Cross Party Group on Wales International
Date:
18/12/25
Name of Chair:
Heledd Fychan MS
Name of Secretary and Organisation:
Ruth Cocks, Director Wales at British Council
|
Title |
Description |
Amount |
|
Group’s Expenses |
None |
£0.00 |
|
Costs of all goods |
No goods bought |
£0.00 |
|
Benefits received by the group or individuals members from external bodies |
No benefits received. |
£0.00 |
|
Any financial support or other support. |
No financial support was received. |
£0.00 |
|
Total |
£0.00 |
|
Services provided to the Group, such as hospitality.
All hospitality paid for [include the name of the group/organisation].
|
Date |
Name
and description |
Costs |
|
|
|
£0.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
£0.00 |
|