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Board Member Profiles

Maria Stedman - Chair of the Board of Governors

Maria Stedman has an accountancy background and has held senior positions at Dyfed County Council, Carmarthenshire County Council and Swansea University. She was Head of CIPFA Wales Cymru for nine years prior to her retirement.

Having undertaking various voluntary roles within CIPFA regional committees, between 1999-2002 she was President CIPFA South Wales & West of England; Co-opted CIPFA Council member; Chair of CIPFA Qualifications Board; Vice-Chair Committee for the Regions; and a member of CIPFA Education & Training Committee.

She has also served as a School Governor and Chair of Governors at Ysgol y Dderwen, Carmarthen;Treasurer of International Celtic Film Festival; founder board member and treasurer of Dr M’z youth drop-in centre, Carmarthen; and, between 2012-2014, as a lay member of the Audit & Risk Committee of the Welsh Language Commissioner.

John Edge - Vice Chair of the Board of Governors

John Edge has an MA in Law, and a background in International Business Development, Consultancy, Mergers and Acquisitions and Joint Ventures. After various Managing Consultant posts, he became the International Development Director, and then Head of Acquisitions for a major UK logistics company, developing their global network.

His career has covered creating strategy, to planning and implementation; development, sales and marketing campaigns; and management and performance appraisals. With M&A also managing due diligence, covering banking, legal, accounting, tax, property, employment, environmental, pensions and insurance areas for example, negotiating deals and final contracts. His career covered six continents, with a focus on North America, Europe, and Asia.

He moved to Ceredigion, and while continuing consultancy, took a BSc in Ecology, and focuses on volunteering in community, education, and conservation projects. In Ceredigion he is deputy chairman of his local community association; an advisor with Citizen’s Advice; a speaker for the Woodland Trust, and conserves his own property as an ‘active farmer’. He also undertakes regular international educational and conservation projects when possible.

Paul Jones - Board Member

Educated at Cowbridge Grammar School before completing a Geography Degree in Swansea University in 1982 and a PGCE in 1983. Initially a Head of Geography at Penyrheol Compehensive Swansea before assuming the role of Director of Finance and Resources at Gorseinon Further Education College from 1990-96. In 1997 he became the College’s Academic Registrar.

After obtaining a Masters degree in Education in 1996 and the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) in 2002 he moved to Bryngwyn Comprehensive in Llanelli 2003 initially as a Deputy Head Teacher, then Head Teacher and latterly the Executive Head Teacher of the Bryngwyn & Glan y Mor federation of schools in 2014. During 2007-2009 he was seconded to Carmarthenshire Education Authority responsible for developing the 14-19 Curriculum.

He has been a Peer inspector with Estyn for 25 years and is currently a member of the national Estyn/OECD steering group for School Improvement.

Huw Davies - Board Member

Born in Llanelli, and a fluent Welsh speaker, Huw attended Ysgol Gyfun y Strade before gaining a BA (Hons) Degree in Accounting & Finance from Bristol Business School.  Deciding to continue his career in finance, Huw qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Bevan & Buckland in Swansea before joining KPMG in Bristol. After four years as an Audit Manager with KPMG, Huw moved into industry becoming the Senior Financial Controller for the South West of England and Wales for FTSE 250 Company WS Atkins plc “Atkins”. 

After a secondment to Qatar, he was promoted to Senior Financial Controller – South of the UK for the Design & Engineering arm of Atkins, before deciding on returning to his roots and joining Llanelli RFC Ltd “the Scarlets” as their Head of Finance and Company Secretary, prior to their move to a new stadium in July 2008.

In 2012, Huw set up his own private consultancy business taking up Financial Directorship roles with a number of SMEs throughout South Wales.  

Huw’s experience in both small and large practice, and varying challenging commercial roles in industry have resulted in a completely open and robust outlook on all aspects of business.

Delwyn Jones - Board Member

Delwyn Jones is Commercial Director and owner of T.A.D Builders based in Llanelli, who have been operating for over 40 years. He has extensive experience in surveying, estimating and commercial management for all types of construction projects.  He is currently a Trustee/Director of CYFLE Building Skills, who are a Regional Shared Apprenticeship Scheme throughout South West Wales, aiming to provide support to young adults into sustainable employment within the construction industry. 

He sits as Chairman of CCTAL (Carmarthenshire Construction Training Association Ltd) a training association established in Carmarthenshire in association with construction companies within the county and local training providers to provide a support structure for training and development needs required by association members and apprentices/trainees.  Delwyn represents EFOD West Wales (Engineers for Overseas Developments), carrying out Charity work in Uganda, and serves as a School Governor at Furnace CP School, Llanelli

Eifion Griffiths - Board Member

Eifion has a background in Commercial Banking, Economic Development and University administration.  He was a senior commercial banker with Lloyds Bank, an Investment analyst with the Welsh Development Agency as Director of Business Services at Swansea University, for over 12 years he had responsibility for campus redevelopment and reconfiguration, including joint venture projects for student housing, sports facilities and economic development, including the Technium initiatives in partnership with Welsh Government.

He was for six years a Non-Executive Director for Pobl Group, the largest registered social housing developer and provider in Wales, and chaired their commercial division, and was until recently a Council member of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. He remains a Director and Trustee of the University of Wales Pension Schemes. He was formerly a Non-Executive Director of the Hywel Dda Health Board and National Treasurer of Undeb yr Annibynwyr Cymraeg (Union of Welsh Independents), still serving on their Investment Committee.

Jayne Woods - Board Member

Jayne Woods qualified as an accountant with Deloitte where she worked on a range of clients both in the UK and overseas.  She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and has worked in a range of diverse finance roles in both the public and private sectors, including as Royalties Manager for JK Rowling's agent, interim Finance Director at a Housing Association and as Chief Finance Officer for the Police and Crime Commissioner of Dyfed-Powys.

She is currently a Non-Executive Director at Qualifications Wales and serves on the Capital Committee of the Arts Council of Wales.  She is treasurer for Cwlwm (Welsh language magazine) and was formerly treasurer of Cylch Meithrin Myrddin (pre-school group) in Carmarthen.

Angharad Harding - Board Member

Angharad Harding is an experienced business advisor that currently works with Business in Focus as a Hub Manager for Focus Carmarthen Hub. Her background involves working in both the public and private sector providing business support. Her background and experience are in project management, business planning, funding applications within a variety of sectors. Currently, facilitates the SMART Town Action Group for the Swansea Bay region and coordinates several networking groups. On a personal level, she is a committee member for Carmarthenshire Schools Football Association, Carmarthen Quins and the local school PTA.

Erica Cassin - Board Member

Erica Cassin is a Board level professional, having operated at both Executive and Non-Executive levels.  She has over 20 years experience in HR, including roles as HR Director for large private sector employers in UK healthcare, pharmaceutical and financial services sectors.  Erica is skilled in leading organisational change and transformation, culture change, talent and leadership development. She is passionate about enabling people to reach their full potential, and has led and worked with large, diverse teams, fostering a culture of high engagement, inclusion, empowerment and collaboration. 

Erica has a portfolio of non-executive roles, including Non Executive Director roles at the Port of Milford Haven, and the Life Sciences Hub Wales, where she also chairs the HR and Remuneration Committees.  She has recently been appointed as Chair for Careers Wales, and is a Trustee for the national charity Self Management UK.  Erica has also been a mentor for the Social Mobility Foundation.  Erica has a BA in Industrial Economics, is a Fellow of the CIPD, and holds a Post-Graduate Certificate in Personal and Business Coaching.

Dr Andrew Cornish - Principal / Chief Executive

Dr Cornish is currently Principal and Chief Executive Officer for Coleg Sir Gâr and Coleg Ceredigion, part of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David Group.

He began his education at Maesteg Comprehensive School where he studied A-levels before progressing to study an honours degree in physics at University of Liverpool and then a PhD in physics at Cardiff University.  He is a member of the Institute of Physics (CPhys MinstP) and has worked as a peer assessor for Estyn for nearly 20 years, assessing the standards of other further education colleges in Wales.

As Principal, he is a member of Public Service Boards (PSBs) in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion and sits on the Board of the Llanellli Wellness Village. He represents both Coleg Sir Gar and Coleg Ceredigion through Colegau Cymru, an umbrella organisation that represents all Further Education Colleges in Wales. He has worked in Further Education for over 25 years, holding a wide range of teaching, management and leadership posts in that time.

Siân Treharne - Acting Company Secretary and Clerk to the Board

Siân began her secondary education in Ysgol Tregib, Llandeilo 1987, where she studied GCSEs and A Levels before progressing to the Swansea Institute of Higher Education, where she graduated with a BA (Hons) Business Studies Degree in 1998. Later that year, Siân joined Coleg Sir Gâr (previously Carmarthenshire College of Technology and Art) as a Registry Administrator.  Sian progressed to Admissions Officer, and in 2004 was appointed Quality Manager.  In 2013, Siân graduated from the University College Wales Newport with a MSc in Leadership & Management (Further Education).   Alongside her role as Company Secretary and Clerk to the Board of Governors, Siân is continuing in her role as Quality Manager in a fractional capacity. 

John Williams - Staff Member

Prior to lecturing at Coleg Sir Gâr, John was employed as a mechanical engineer and a manager in various environments, including the aircraft and automotive industries, before a change to the private training sector in 2004. He was formerly an associate member of the Institution of Production Engineers and an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Educational Assessors.

He has worked on, and managed contracts for local companies and a range of multinational companies such as, Airbus, Boeing, Nissan and Toyota. He is an experienced auditor and has managed an ISO 9001:2008 documentation and quality system and achieved Investor in People (Gold) status. 

John managed a private training company until 2012, working with awarding organisations and Welsh Government to offer work-based learning programmes across South Wales. He has also negotiated commercial contracts and training programmes, with companies such as, Amazon, Cartrefi Cymru and Remploy.

He has been a regional member of the NTfW and involved with pilot programmes for City & Guilds and DfES.

Julia Green - Associate Staff Member and Support for the Learner Representative

Julia Green is employed at Coleg Sir Gar and Coleg Ceredigion as the Assistant Director of Learner Experience and is the designated Additional Learning Needs Coordinator (ALNCo).  She has worked at the college for over twenty years and undertakes a cross-campus strategic role leading and managing the Learning Support team.  The role involves ensuring that the college meets its legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010 by providing reasonable adjustments for learners’ with additional learning needs.

As a qualified teacher, she has specialist Level 7 qualifications from the University of South Wales in Specific Learning Difficulties, Post-Graduate Certificate in Education and Autism.  In 2017, she successfully completed a Masters in Leadership and Management and is currently undertaking a Professional Doctorate with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David researching inclusion in post-16 education.

Louis Dare - Staff Board Member

Louis has a passion for education that improves learner employability and career development for adult learners who are either out of work or in low paid roles. Working within the College’s Business Development and Innovation department, has allowed him to develop strong links within this sector through partnership working with Remploy Maximus and the Department for Work and Pensions and the Job Centres they manage.

In the past, Louis has taught ICT (2004-2008), led the Applied ICT Course at Maes Yr Yrfa (2008-2012) as part of the College’s 14-19 partnership, and is now employed as the eLearning and Innovation Manager for the UWTSD Group (2017 -present).

Outside of Coleg Sir Gar Louis interests include supporting local tourism.  During the pandemic Louis was invited to contribute to the running of an online support group that provided financial and legal guidance on navigating the Covid-19 lockdowns, restrictions and economic support packages.

Alan Smith - Board Member

Alan grew up in Monmouthshire and after graduating from Swansea University in Pure Mathematics & Computer Science and a P.G.C.E. He has spent all his working life in education

Initially a Maths teacher in Neath then a Computing teacher in Porthcawl, he joined Llanelli Technical College as a Computing lecturer.  He progressed to managing the Faculty of Computing with other subject areas. He also organised commercial courses for the public and private sectors and a European project.  He was also a W.J.E.C. examiner and an Estyn peer inspector.  

For five years before retiring from Coleg Sir Gâr, Alan was their Transformation Manager, assisting the Principal and Executive in developing a merger business case with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David Group and post-merger co-ordinated integration activities.

Inspiring Learners

Get in Touch

Park Place
Cardigan
SA43 1AB
01239 612032
enquiries@ceredigion.ac.uk

Get in Touch

Llanbadarn Fawr
Aberystwyth 
SY23 3BP
01970 639700
enquiries@ceredigion.ac.uk

Coleg Ceredigion is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales No. 08725643 and is a registered charity No. 1154557.
The registered office is at Park Place, Cardigan, Ceredigion, SA43 1AB