Estyn appoints five new non-executive directors

Estyn the education and training inspectorate for Wales is pleased to announce the appointment of five new independent non-executive directors to its board. The new appointments have been sought from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to widen the horizons of Estyn’s strategy board and provide advice and constructive challenge at an important time, as the organisation moves towards a new model of delivery from 2024.

Dr Emyr Roberts, David Jones OBE, Maria Rimmer, Professor Brett Pugh and Professor Charlotte Williams OBE (Co-optee) will join the board from this month and will work closely with the executive team to develop and deliver Estyn’s strategy as the organisation works towards a revised inspection framework for delivery in 2024. 

Commenting on the new appointments, Owen Evans said: “I am delighted to welcome Emyr, David, Maria, Brett and Charlotte to Estyn’s board. They are all highly respected leaders and have a wealth of valuable experience which will enrich Estyn’s approach and ensure that our work considers a wide range of viewpoints to achieve maximum impact across Wales.

“We are keen to ensure that our board reflects an experienced and diverse range of backgrounds across the breadth of our activities that will help us plan for the future. Ensuring that we include the voices and expertise of a wide variety of experiences at a strategic level within Estyn will be increasingly important as we strengthen our work on equity, diversity and inclusion and continue to adapt to the new curriculum and other changes in Welsh education.

“It’s a very exciting time for education in Wales and in particular for us at Estyn as we have the potential to review a new inspection framework for 2024 – exploring the most effective and equitable interventions over the next eighteen months. The insight and strategic input from our new non-executive directors will be extremely valuable as we build on this opportunity.

“I would like to express my sincere thanks to the non-executive directors who have completed their term and supported us through our current pilot framework design and the challenges the pandemic posed across the sector.”

Dr Emyr Roberts, who was a co-optee on the current board, has held a number of senior appointments across Welsh Government and the Welsh Office throughout his career, including Director General for Education and Skills. He was the Chief Executive of Natural Resources Wales prior to his retirement in 2017 and led the creation of the new environmental body for Wales which integrated the work of the previous legacy organisations. He is Chair of the Aberystwyth University Council.

David Jones OBE is currently the Chair of Qualifications Wales, the Defence Electronics Component Agency (DECA), and a member of the Wales Appeals Board of NSPCC Cymru. A Chartered Engineer, David has over 30 years of experience working in Further and Higher Education. Following his retirement, he currently works in a range of non-executive and consultancy roles. 

Maria Rimmer is a retired school leader with a wealth of experience in educational management and governance and a keen interest in social justice and community relations.

Professor Brett Pugh is a former Headteacher and Director of Education at Newport City Council. Before his retirement he was a Director for Education at the Welsh Government. He is currently a visiting professor at the University of South Wales and Chair of the Ministerial Advisory Group on Education Other than at School.

Professor Charlotte Williams OBE is a renowned academic and has held a number of senior leadership roles in the Higher Education sector. She recently chaired the review into Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Communities, Contributions and Cynefin in the New Curriculum.