, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary
for Climate Change and Rural Affairs: Following a rigorous and
competitive public appointments process, I am pleased to announce
the appointment of Dr Roisin Willmott as Chair of the Flood and
Coastal Erosion Committee for a three-year term commencing 1
February 2026.
The process was conducted in line with the Governance Code for
Public Appointments, and I am incredibly grateful to all
candidates who applied and contributed their valuable time and
experience throughout the process.
The role of Chair is a high-profile and influential position,
central to driving forward solutions and strengthening resilience
and adaptation measures to make Wales more flood-resistant in the
future. The Committee, established in 2017 under Section 81(1) of
the Environment Act 2016, advises Welsh Ministers on all matters
relating to flood and coastal erosion risk management in Wales.
Its work includes raising awareness, improving preparedness, and
building community resilience, while providing strategic guidance
on long-term priorities and best practice.
Roisin brings exceptional expertise and leadership to this role.
A Chartered Town Planner, she has held senior positions in local
government, most recently with Cardiff Council, where she
explored approaches to embedding zero-carbon and climate
adaptation into everyday practice. Previously, Roisin served as
Director at the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), leading
policy and member services in Wales and Northern Ireland, and as
Director for Planning Aid England. Her career also spans roles in
further education and economic and planning consultancy across
the UK and Europe. Roisin holds a Master's degree in Planning
from Oxford Brookes University and a PhD from Cardiff University.
In recognition of her outstanding contribution to planning in
Wales, she was awarded an OBE in 2017 and is a Fellow of the
RTPI.
My sincere thanks also go to the outgoing Chair, Martin Buckle,
who has served with distinction for seven years. During his
tenure, Martin built strong working relationships with Committee
members and a wide range of stakeholders. His dedication and
focus on delivering tangible improvements reflect his commitment
to advancing flood and coastal erosion risk management in line
with Ministerial priorities. I am deeply grateful for the
knowledge and expertise he brought to support Welsh Ministers and
for his significant contribution to strengthening Wales'
resilience.
I look forward to working with Roisin and the Committee as we
continue to build a safer, more resilient Wales for the future.
