IOOS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Acting Chair ( Food and Drink Wales Industry Board )
‘I have known Gwenda Williams for some years now. Firstly in her role as a Trustee, and former Chair of Chwarae Teg, where she brought so much to the table, but more recently in my capacity as Director of Corporate Services for the Wales Co-operative Centre. Gwenda undertook a review of the organisation as part of our strategy for change / preparation for the future. Her assignment was to present us with options relating to Organisation Design as we sought to realign WCC with the needs of our clients and stakeholders. She equipped herself well. Gwenda's approach was characteristic of my experience of working with her in the past, namely: focussed, flexible, intelligent, thorough and values-driven. It is always a pleasure to engage with Gwenda. She exudes calm, is not afraid to challenge our thinking, goes the extra mile and always approaches her work with the best interests of the client at heart. I have no hesitation in recommending her to any organisation looking for an ally with a fresh perspective during times of change, who has a positive energy and a reputation for delivering results - whilst keeping everyone on side.'
Job Titles:
- Consultant Expert in Place, Social Economics and the Anti - Poverty Agenda
I am pleased to recommend Jan. She is a hard worker and committed to what she believes in. She is also highly experienced in all matters linked to regeneration and is widely networked and respected. It has been a pleasure to work with Jan and I would not hesitate to recommend her to others.
Job Titles:
- Senior Lecturer, College of Law, Swansea University
I have had the pleasure and privilege of working with Norma both as a consultant and as a colleague for several years. I have been impressed with her ability to quickly grasp complex issues and her strategic thinking coupled with a strong practical focus on improved performance. Norma has a strong work ethic and is an excellent person to have in one's team in any capacity.
Job Titles:
- Man Aging Director at Wider Impact Consultancy Limited
Jan is a determined and experienced professional able to provide support to both individuals and community groups. She has a real passion for community development work and is always able to inject that extra spark of creativity to projects, she is always looking for the angles and connections that no one else can usually find, the sort that make projects a success. Jan is superb at managing projects, ensuring they deliver what they set out to.
I also worked with Jan at Groundwork Wales where she was always looking at the bigger picture to see where the next programme or project was coming from (even when she was deskbound behind a mass of paperwork)! I can highly recommend Jan to anyone.
Job Titles:
- Founder / Director, Underground Blc [London - Based Branding Consultancy]
‘Through Ms Williams' coaching and professional support not only have I grown, but the outcomes that I have led, shaped, influenced, driven and implemented in Gwent Police have: made it "fit for purpose"; receptive to change and continuous improvement; one of the most improved forces regarding outcomes. I am confident that the coaching and professional support provided by Ms Williams has provided the essential confidential support, learning and development required to enable me to deliver at my best. I have no hesitation in recommending Ms Williams for similar roles with individuals or teams within any public or private sector organisation'.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Financial Management Team
- Individual and Creative Specialist in Individual
Gwenda is a highly individual and creative specialist in Individual and Organisation Development and a seasoned HR professional (FCIPD) with cross sector experience at regional, national and international level. She combines entrepreneurial flair and imagination with a passion and aptitude for developing talent and strengthening capability. Gwenda works with Boards and Executives from a wide range of disciplines, with particular experience in Economic Development, Enterprise, Education, Culture and Tourism. A respected Executive Coach and an intelligent Facilitator, Gwenda is also highly skilled in relationship management and stakeholder engagement. She is especially gifted at bringing together ideas and people to inform, enrich and fulfil clients' strategic aims. In addition to her corporate HR work, Gwenda has undertaken a number of branding/marketing communications projects including brand development and coffee table book publication. She is a Member of Glas Cymru (owners of Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water), an award winning business member of Arts & Business Cymru, and ‘Life Member' of Chwarae Teg in recognition of her voluntary contribution to the organisation.
"I was impressed with Gwenda's work for our Food and Drink Wales Industry Board... The arrangements were very good, both in terms of content and presentation. I welcomed the work she had done to familiarise with the action plan but also the history of the Industry Board and deliberations to date. The thorough preparations Gwenda had made were an important contributory success factor. Gwenda asked good questions, judged the session and those involved well, by balancing time for conversation and keeping us all focussed on the task and activity at hand. She helped get both Board members and WG officials to gel and create a sense of team. Gwenda's follow-up work has also been extensive and comprehensive, capturing the work that needs to be taken forward."
Job Titles:
- Board Member of the Wales Council for Voluntary Action
- CEO of Mark Lang Communications
Jan is a confident self-starter and motivated individual with analytical skills and a 'can do' attitude. With a high level of stamina and determination to succeed, Jan has, for 2 years, successfully balanced time between a management role within the Welsh Government's Communities First programme with a developing rural market portfolio in Cotyledon.
Jan's expertise is in development of social businesses, community partnerships and projects. As a PQASSO mentor and PRINCE2 practitioner, quality, compliance and governance is a special interest to Jan who adopts a ‘no nonsense' approach delivered through coaching and action learning principles. She is an excellent problem-solver and balances the strategic context with local and organisational needs and practicality.
Jan is a Board member of the Wales Council for Voluntary Action and Agored Cymru. She is also the lead coordinator for a growing number of locally based rural markets which help to support the local economy and promote first stage entrepreneurship.
Job Titles:
- Director of Corporate Services at the Wales Co - Operative Centre
"Gwenda's experience and understanding of the subtleties, complexities and nuances of the evolving economic, social and cultural fabric of a devolved nation is invaluable in terms of configuring the right team to work on this project. She blends regional, national and international experience with local knowledge, sensitivity and intelligence. She has worked extensively with public, private and voluntary sector organisations at both a strategic and operational level. Her network of contacts in relevant institutions, umbrella bodies and public service departments is an invaluable asset to the team. Gwenda's approach is founded on sound research, effective relationship development, creativity and innovation. She recognises critical patterns and connections that exist between interwoven issues & inter-related organisations and works with them to optimum effect. Gwenda engages well at all levels and balances an ability to process, assimilate, organise and analyse information & data extremely quickly, with an instinct for the bigger picture'.
Job Titles:
- Marketing Manager at Life Sciences Hub Wales
Cotyledon undertook a visitor signage study for Monmouthshire County Council Tourism Team during 2012. The service they provided was exellent, always prompt, always proffessional and proactive. Cotyledon took the time to understand what we needed and provided a personalised service in delivering the Visitor Signage study. We appreciated the time and effort they dedicated to us".
Job Titles:
- Executive Director UK Environmental Law Association
Norma Barry's contribution to the work of UKELA Wales Working Party has been invaluable. The role of co-ordinator is vital to the success of this group, which operates as a voluntary network of legal practitioners, academics and other public and private organisations with an interest in environmental protection.Norma has been key to the success of this organisation in mobilising the huge resource among the UKELA membership in legal and other expertise in the field. With Norma's help the group has had enormous success in contributing to the development of new planning and environmental legislation in Wales and disseminating information about this to interested professionals.She has also organised a very successful event for university student's wishing to pursue a career in environmental law or a related field.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Financial Management Team
Job Titles:
- Welcome Monmouthshire Project Officer, Monmouthshire County Council.
Job Titles:
- Special Adviser to the Welsh Government on Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women
Job Titles:
- Policy and Advocacy Consultant / Interim Manager