Entrepreneur alumna champions rural businesses
A graduate of the UWTSD’s Professional Practice Framework (PPF) who supports businesses to grow, has been appointed as the Executive Chair of the Cambrian Mountains Initiative where she will champion communities and businesses of rural Mid Wales.
Helen Gwenllian, who completed a PGCert in Professional Practice at UWTSD in 2018, is celebrating a prestigious new role where she will steer the delivery of community focused projects and the promotion of small independent businesses based in the Cambrian Mountains.
With a background as a rural practitioner and in senior appointments, including Non-Executive Director of Hybu Cig Cymru and Commissioner for the National Infrastructure Commission for Wales, Helen brings a wealth of experience and deep commitment to rural development in her new role.
Her experience as the lead author of the ‘Vision for Rural Wales Manifesto’ as the Rural Policy Officer for the Welsh Local Government Association, as well as the Founder of Merched Medrus, a network that engages with UWTSD to empower women in business in Ceredigion through peer-to-peer learning, further demonstrates Helen’s commitment to strengthening rural communities and businesses.
During her time at the University, Helen completed modules in Coaching and Mentoring, Digital Marketing and Work Based Research Methods, topics she said have been invaluable in developing her personal and professional growth.
Helen said:
“I found the lecturers inspiring and it was great to be part of a learning community with other business leaders, as I embarked on my Non-Executive Director career.
“I am very much a results-driven ‘doer’, with multiple projects on the go at any one time. Investing time in long-term structured learning can be a challenge for someone like me but developing a reflective practice has certainly helped me shape my leadership style.”
About Helen’s recent success, Lowri Harris, Senior Lecturer at UWTSD’s Professional Practice Framework responded:
“Empowering rural communities and businesses requires not only vision but also dedicated leadership, and Helen’s appointment as Executive Chair of the Cambrian Mountains Initiative exemplifies this commitment.
“With her wealth of experience and deep-rooted passion for rural development, the Professional Practice Framework team look forward to following Helen’s journey in championing resilience and prosperity in Mid Wales and to see her inspiring positive change throughout the region.”
Further Information
Mared Anthony
Communications and PR Officer: Alumni Relations
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: mared.anthony@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: +447482256996