The current members were appointed in accordance with the selection procedures recommended by the Committee on Standards in Public Life (the Nolan Committee).
Meri Huws was appointed Chair of the Welsh Language Board in August 2004, reappointed for a term of three years in April 2007 and prior to that was a member of the Board between 1993 a 1997.
Originally from Carmarthen, Meri Huws was educated at Ysgol Uwchradd Abergwaun in Fishguard, before reading Law and Politics at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth and studying at Oxford University.
After returning to Wales, she worked as a Social Worker in the Sgubor Goch area of Caernarfon and during this period was also Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (the Welsh Language Society) from 1981 to 1983.
From Caernarfon, Meri Huws went to lecture at Coleg Normal in 1984, the University of Newport from 1989 to 1997 before moving to the Academic Office in Dublin City University until 1999. She then worked as Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the Bangor University before being appointed, in August 2009 as Pro-Vice Chancellor [Innovation, Community and Skills]at the University of Trinty St David.
Meri Huws is a member of the Labour Party.
The members come from across the political spectrum and from different backgrounds, all bringing to the work of the Board expertise and experience relevant to its likely fields of interest in:
- Language planning
- Education and training
- Broadcasting
- New media
- Business and financial management
- Health
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NICK BENNETT
Nick Bennett is currently the Chief Executive of Community Housing Cymru. He is a Member of Ofcom’s Advisory Committee for Wales.
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OWEN EVANS
Owen Evans is originally from Aberystwyth. He is Wales Director of Business in the Community.
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HUW JONES
Huw Jones was Chief Executive of S4C between 1994 and 2005. Originally from Cardiff he lived and worked for a number of years in north-west Wales before taking up his post with S4C.
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GWYNETH MORUS JONES
Gwyneth Morus Jones lives in Llandegfan, Anglesey. She has served as the National President of Merched y Wawr and Chair of Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin.
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MARC PHILLIPS
Marc Phillips was appointed to the Board in April 2003.
He is the National Co-ordinator for BBC Children in Need in Wales, following a period as Chief Executive of the charity Tenovus.
Originally from Mountain Ash, he learnt Welsh as a school pupil in Merthyr Tydfil. He now lives in Cardiff.
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CATHERINE REES
Catherine Rees is the Director of Resources for Menter a Busnes. Originally from Llanelli she continues to live and work in the area.
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ELIN WYN
Elin Wyn is originally from Cardiff and continues to live and work in the city. She was a journalist with BBC Wales and Head of the BBC’s office in the National Assembly for Wales. She has established a training company to provide journalistic and media training in Welsh and English.