New Chair and Vice-Chair for Amgueddfa Cymru announced
Cyhoeddi Cadeirydd ac Is-gadeirydd newydd Amgueddfa Cymru
Deputy Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Dawn Bowden 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, Dawn Bowden 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.