After a busy year in Welsh politics, which has seen the first female First Minister, and Wales elect its highest proportion of female MPs in history, Women in Public Affairs (WiPA) is launching in Wales.
WiPA Cymru said it seeks to be a driving force for positive change and empowerment in the field of public affairs and policy in Wales and will be holding events to provide networking, mentorship and skill-building opportunities for members.
Women from across Public Affairs in Wales are joining together for the launch, with the senior advisory panel including Cathy Owens and Nerys Evans, co-founders, Deryn; Sian Jones, Director Grayling Cymru Wales; Louise Harris co-founder and CEO Tramshed Tech; Helen Swift, Airbus and Angharad Davies, Cadno Comms. The committee is chaired by Maxine Tarrant and the committee includes Elin Llŷr (ITV Cymru Wales), Helen Antoniazzi (FAW), Libby Davies (Grayling) and Lisa Childs (Copper Consultancy).
Maxine Tarrant, Women in Public Affairs Cymru Chair:
“Launching WiPA in Wales has come at a pivotal time as the political parties in Wales gear up for the Senedd elections which sees its expansion. Businesses and government need to be driving forward innovation in Wales and public affairs has an important role to play in achieving this. It is great to see women at the forefront and breaking the glass ceiling in the Senedd and politics this year. WiPA Cymru will play a vital role in driving positive change within the Welsh political and public affairs sector”.
Ella Fallows, Women in Public Affairs Co-Founder, said:
“It is such a joy to see WiPA continue to grow. I’m so proud of this incredible network and how far it has come since Laura Gilmore and I set it up 13 years ago. The launch of WiPA Cymru means we now have a presence in London, Wales and Scotland, there to support the specific needs of women in our sector across the UK’s nations and spread our calls for improved pay transparency even further. But it doesn’t stop here, and we look forward to launching regional hubs in future.”
Louise Harris, Tramshed Tech:
“The importance of this network has come at a pivotal time, businesses and government need to be driving forward innovation in Wales and public affairs has an important role to play in achieving this. It is great to see women at the forefront and breaking the glass ceiling in the Senedd, politics and within industry”.
Helen Swift, Airbus:
“I look forward to supporting WiPA Cymru to deliver its mission of creating development opportunities for female public affairs professionals in Wales. I encourage all colleagues to get involved with WiPA Cymru which will provide strong opportunities for mentoring, networking and sharing of best practice around policy development.”
Angharad Davies, Cadno Comms:
“Women have been at the forefront of the public affairs industry in Wales since the start of devolution leading the field across the private, public and third sectors. Welsh WiPA will provide a platform for us to promote the importance of public affairs in policy development, maintain high standards across our practice, and to support one another.”
Cathy and Nerys, Deryn:
“The creation of a forum for women to come together to discuss experiences, opportunities and challenges in public affairs and politics in Wales is most welcome. We’re looking forward to supporting the work of WiPA Cymru and to work with the many wonderful women working across the sector.”
Sian Jones, Grayling:
“Grayling have been a long-standing supporter of WiPA and are proud to continue that support with the launch of WiPA Cymru. It’s great to see so many brilliant women taking a leading role in Welsh public life and now breaking the glass ceiling with Eluned Morgan as our new First Minister. WiPA Cymru will play a pivotal role in driving positive change within the Welsh public affairs sector”.
