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We are marking Trustees’ Week 2026 by welcoming three new faces to Awen.
Rhannu ar
Awen Cultural Trust is marking Trustees’ Week (9 to 13 November) by welcoming three new faces to its Board of Trustees. It is also an opportunity for Awen to thank all its trustees, past and present, for the time, expertise and commitment they have given to the charity.
Catherine Evans, Carl James and Sarah Vining have joined the registered charity and social enterprise, bringing extensive experience across strategic leadership, communications, marketing, governance, public services and organisational change to Awen.
Working across South Wales, Awen manages 20 cultural and community facilities including libraries, theatres, community centres, Bryngarw House and Country Park, creative wellbeing programmes, and two training programmes for adults with learning disabilities.
Alongside managing buildings and services, Awen works with communities and partners to improve wellbeing, reduce isolation, widen access to cultural experiences, develop skills and confidence, celebrate Welsh culture and create opportunities for people who can face barriers to participation.
Catherine Evans is Head of Communications at Trivallis and has more than 25 years of experience across the housing, community development, social care and arts sectors. She is responsible for shaping Trivallis’ communications, marketing and brand activity. Her career has focused on helping organisations communicate effectively with customers, colleagues and stakeholders, supporting organisational change and strengthening public engagement.
Alongside her executive experience, Catherine is a trustee of St John Ambulance Cymru and chairs one of its committees. She brings to Awen strong experience in communications, customer engagement and organisational reputation, together with an understanding of how senior leaders and boards can work together to achieve long-term objectives.
Carl James is an experienced Chief Executive with more than 25 years of senior leadership experience across NHS Wales, Welsh Government and the wider public sector. As Chief Executive of Velindre University NHS Trust, he leads specialist cancer and blood services across Wales. Carl is also overseeing the delivery of the new Velindre Cancer Centre as part of a wider capital investment programme valued at approximately £1 billion.
Throughout his career, Carl has led major service transformation programmes, including the development of national cancer services, the establishment of the All-Wales Blood Service and the delivery of significant digital and infrastructure projects. He brings extensive experience of working with boards and government bodies, alongside expertise in governance, strategic leadership and complex organisational change.
Sarah Vining is a strategic communications, brand and marketing consultant with more than 25 years of experience across Wales’s commercial, public, cultural and not-for-profit sectors. She has held senior leadership roles including Director of Sales and Marketing at Ogi, where she helped lead customer growth, commercial performance and company culture. Sarah’s career has also included work with organisations including Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, the National Trust, Amgueddfa Cymru, National Theatre Wales, Visit Wales and Literature Wales.
A fluent Welsh speaker with longstanding connections to Wales’s cultural sector, Sarah Vining has also served as Acting Chief Executive of Valleys Arts Marketing. She is a trustee and member of the Management Board of Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru. Sarah brings strategic communications, commercial experience, organisational change expertise and a strong understanding of Wales’s cultural landscape to Awen’s Board.
Ava Plowright, Chair of Awen Cultural Trust’s Board of Trustees, said:
“Trustees’ Week gives us an important opportunity to celebrate the people who volunteer their time, knowledge and experience to guide charities like Awen. Our trustees bring different professional and personal perspectives to the Board, but they share a commitment to using their skills to make a positive difference.
“We are delighted to welcome Catherine, Carl and Sarah at such an appropriate time. Their appointments strengthen an already dedicated and experienced board, and we look forward to working with them as we continue to develop our services, increase our social impact and create culturally vibrant communities where everyone feels they belong.
“We would also like to thank all Awen’s trustees for their continued support, constructive challenge and commitment to our charitable purpose of ‘making people’s lives better’. Their strategic leadership, effective oversight and support is vital to ensuring that Awen remains well governed, financially sustainable and responsive to the communities we serve.”
