HAHAV is a registered charity (Charity Commission No: 1160645) and a limited company (Companies House No: 09261439).
HAHAV is governed by a board of Directors and Trustees who are all unpaid volunteers. Together they are responsible for the strategic direction, regulation, financial probity and future development of the organization.
Our board of trustees
Dr Alan Axford
Alan graduated at University College Hospital London, followed by postgraduate experience in Birmingham and London. He returned to Wales to work at the Medical Research Council Pneumoconiosis Unit at Llandough Hospital, Penarth. In 1975, after 5 years research, he was appointed Consultant Physician in respiratory medicine at Bronglais Hospital, Aberystwyth where he established the Department of Medical Oncology, later becoming lead cancer clinician for the county. Prior to retirement, for 12 years he was Medical Director of BronglaisHospital and was awarded the OBE for services to medicine in Wales in 2006.
Richard John
Born in Aberystwyth, Richard returned to the town in 1985, after studying law at Southampton University and then practicing as a solicitor in Kent. Richard specialised in court work, both civil and criminal, and was also a member of the Crown Prosecution panel.
Richard was appointed a part-time judge by the Lord Chief Justice in 2019 and in 2021, was authorised to hear family cases. Richard has served as a governor of several local schools, including as chair of Penglais governors and was also a member of the University’s Council for 6 years.
Gwerfyl Pierce Jones
Gwerfyl Pierce Jones was born in Holyhead, Anglesey, but has lived in Aberystwyth for most of her working life. A graduate of the University of North Wales, Bangor she began her career as a lecturer at St David’s University College, Lampeter. She subsequently held a number of posts in arts administration and was director of the Books Council of Wales until her retirement in 2009. She served as Pro Chancellor of Aberystwyth University from 2012–19 and also as Deputy Chair of the University’s Council. She is also involved with a number of charities and trusts and chairs the James Pantyfedwen Foundation.
Peter Skitt
Peter joined the NHS in 1981 and has 40 years experience of varied clinical and non-clinical positions and senior management roles. Currently he is County Director and Commissioner for Ceredigion (Hywel Dda University Health Board) and Programme Director for the Mid Wales Joint Committee area. Peter’s career has involved managing Critical Care and Theatres, General Management in Surgery. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management and a Member of the Institute of Leadership and Management with a passion for coaching and leadership, being a qualified executive coach.
Amanda Roberts
Amanda was brought-up in the Aberystwyth area. She received a Diploma in Business Studies from Ceredigion Further Education College, and a degreee in Accounting and Finance from Brighton University. She also achieved full membership of CIPFA (Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accounting) in 1993 whilst working for the local Council.
She worked for Ceredigion District Council and Ceredigion County Council for over 35 years, before retiring in 2022. Her working time in the Councils was spent in various roles, mainly in Housing Benefits, Accountancy and Audit services, and served as the Chief internal Auditor / Corporate Manager – Internal Audit for her last 15 years.
Mark Williams
Mark was Ceredigion’s Member of Parliament for 12 years until 2017 and continues to be actively involved in many community organisations across the county. A teacher, Mark lives in Borth with his wife Helen and their children. Whilst in Parliament, Mark often highlighted the work of carers and the challenge of supporting them and their families particularly those in scattered rural communities.
Geraint Pugh
A father of two, Geraint graduated from Aberystwyth University with a BA degree in French and Spanish. He remained at Aberystwyth to study for an MScEcon in European Politics, before gaining employment in the world of politics.
Between 2006 and 2013, Geraint was Research and Communications Manager for Ceredigion’s Member of the Senedd, Elin Jones MS.
In February 2013, Geraint was appointed Aberystwyth University’s first University Secretary. In that role, he was responsible for ensuring appropriate governance processes were in place within the institution, and worked closely with the Chair of the governing body and the Vice-Chancellor.
After eight years at Aberystwyth University, Geraint joined S4C as Board Secretary in October 2021. He is responsible for advising the S4C Unitary Board to ensure appropriate and effective governance across all of S4C’s work.
Geraint has been Treasurer of the Ysgol Gymraeg Aberystwyth’s PTA since September 2018. He is also an external Trustee of Bangor University Students’ Union.
Deian Creunant
Deian is currently communications and public affairs officer with the Welsh Language Commissioner and has worked in the communications sector for close to thirty years.
Until recently he was Director of communications with private sector company Four Communications where he led on various client campaigns including Public Health Wales, Welsh Government education, the Sector Skills Council and Discover Ceredigion.
Prior to joining Four he was Head of Regional Communications for the Welsh Government in mid and west Wales and was previously Head of External Affairs for the Big Lottery Fund (now the Community Fund) in Wales and Director of the Urdd Gobaith Cymru National Eisteddfod.
He also sits on the Board of Arad Goch and Morlan, is Secretary of the Saunders Lewis Memorial Fund and is an elder at Morfa chapel.
He enjoys running and is a member of Aberystwyth Athletic Club, is a keen follower of Aberystwyth Town football club and is stadium announcer for their home games, is joint organiser of photographic event FfotoAber and likes to attend the theatre.
Rhian Evans
Rhian joined HAHAV’s Board in early 2023, and is an experienced and award winning HR professional. Her current role is ‘Assistant Direct of Human Resources and Communications’ at Barcud, a Housing Association with around 300 employees; where she leads a team of 9 staff. Having gained 20 years experience in HR, she is highly experienced in managing a wide variety of HR challenges and situations. Rhian’s previous roles have included tenures at Ceredigion County Council and a Consultancy role at the University of Glamorgan. Rhian holds a degree in Business & Finance, an MBA in Business Administration, and was awarded the Fellowship of the CIPD in recognition of her Management, Leadership and Development experience.
Rhian is currently a Governor of Ysgol Bro Pedr, where she held the Chairperson role for over 8 years; and in her ‘spare’ time she conducts a Ladies Choir!