Deputy Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, has today announced the
appointment of Kate Eden as the new Chair of Amgueddfa Cymru.
Over the past eight years Kate has held a portfolio of
non-executive positions across key bodies in Welsh public life,
with a particular focus on the cultural and health sectors. Prior
to her non-executive career, Kate spent fifteen years’ working in
the pharmaceutical and biotech industry in public affairs, policy
and strategic communications, both in the UK and internationally.
Kate was born and brought up in north Wales, attending the Alun
School in Mold before studying Social and Political Sciences at
King’s College, Cambridge. She now lives in the Brecon Beacons
and is learning Welsh at Coleg Gwent.
As Chair of Amgueddfa Cymru, Kate Eden will be accountable to
Welsh Ministers for the conduct of Amgueddfa Cymru’s affairs and
has responsibility for chairing and overseeing the Board of
Trustees.
Rhys Evans has also been appointed as Vice-Chair of Amgueddfa
Cymru. Rhys is the BBC Cymru Wales Head of Corporate Affairs and
Public Policy and is responsible for a range of functions,
including communications, regulatory and public affairs. He is a
Non-Executive Director and Trustee of Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.
Announcing the appointments, Deputy Minister for Arts, Sport and
Tourism, said:
“I would like to welcome Kate and Rhys to their new roles,
Amgueddfa Cymru is entering a new and exciting phase and I look
forward to working with them to strengthen and build on the
fantastic work being done by Amgueddfa Cymru to inspire and
inform people throughout Wales.”
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Dr Carol
Bell, the Acting President and Vice President since 2016 who is
coming to the end of her tenure on the Board. Dr Bell joined as a
Trustee in 2014 and since January 2023 has taken on additional
Presidential responsibilities, bringing continuity to the Board
and showing dedication and commitment to Amgueddfa Cymru.”
On being appointed to the role, Kate Eden, said:
“This is a really exciting opportunity to help lead Wales’ family
of national museums and collections through the next part of
their journey to becoming truly accessible, representative
reflections of our myriad Welsh communities and histories.”
Amgueddfa Cymru Acting President, Dr Carol Bell said:
“On behalf of Amgueddfa Cymru, I would like to congratulate both
Kate and Rhys on their new appointments. This is an exciting time
for Amgueddfa Cymru as we widen our compass of engagement and
work to deliver our Strategy 2030 for the communities of Wales.
We look forward to welcoming the experience and fresh
perspectives they will bring to our Board of Trustees.”
Notes to editors
- Kate Eden’s term will start on 1 September for four
years. The appointment will be remunerated at an annual
rate of £35,182.80, for a time commitment of 2 days per
week.
- Kate Eden has not declared any political activity.
- Kate Eden will step down from her role as Vice Chair of Arts
Council of Wales.
Kate Eden
Over the past eight years Kate had held a portfolio of
non-executive positions across key bodies in Welsh public life,
with a particular focus on the cultural and health sectors. She
is passionate about helping organisations be the best they can,
delivering for the people of Wales. She is committed to
broadening engagement in culture, history and heritage across all
our communities, reflecting the stories of Wales to ourselves and
to the world.
Prior to her non-executive career, Kate spent fifteen years’
working in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry in public
affairs, policy and strategic communications, both in the UK and
internationally. She was born and brought up in north Wales,
attending the Alun School in Mold before graduating from
Cambridge University. She now lives in the Bannau Brycheiniog.
Rhys Evans
Rhys studied Modern History at Oxford University before embarking
on a career in journalism. He was a reporter, producer and a
senior news editor at BBC Cymru Wales. He was also a journalist
fellow at the Reuters Institute looking at the production of news
in multi-national states.
Rhys is currently BBC Cymru Wales Head of Corporate Affairs and
Public Policy and is responsible for a range of functions,
including communications, regulatory and public affairs.
Rhys is passionate about making archives accessible having
overseen the digitisation of the BBC Wales archive and helped
develop the BBC’s Centenary exhibition in tandem with Amgueddfa
Cymru. He was also instrumental in creating the National
Broadcast Archive for Wales, in tandem with the National Heritage
Lottery Fund and the National Library of Wales.
He is a Non-Executive Director and Trustee of Coleg Cymraeg
Cenedlaethol.
Rhys has written and lectured on Welsh history and has published
a biography of Gwynfor Evans for which he was awarded the Welsh
Book of the Year Award.
Originally from Carmarthen, Rhys lives in Cardiff with his wife
and two daughters. He supports Cardiff City and Wrexham FC.
