The Future of Apprenticeships Wales Conference

Dean Ward has a strong background of over 25 years of experience in the residential property sector, with expertise spanning development, acquisition, sales and disposal, having worked for large businesses such as Barratt Homes, Countrywide Residential Development, and Wales Residential, working closely on the successful ‘Cardiff Living’ project.

As Chairman of the Regional Learning & Skills Partnership for South West Wales, Dean leads initiatives to identify regional skills needs and influence local schools, colleges, and universities to deliver courses and training that meet industry demands. His leadership ensures the property sector and the wider regional economy has a strong talent pipeline for the future.

Based in Swansea, Dean also brings his experience as CEO of PropSmarts, a pioneering proptech company, bringing a practical understanding of innovation and business to his work in supporting skills and workforce development across the region.

Luke Fletcher has been a Member of the Senedd since 2021, representing the South Wales West region. He is also Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson on the economy and energy. Luke graduated from Cardiff University with a Masters Degree before going on to become economy and finance researcher for the Plaid Cymru Senedd group. Prior to this, he spent nearly five years working in the hospitality sector. Luke sits on the Senedd’s Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee and is Chair of several Cross-Party Groups, including those on Apprenticeships, Dementia, Industrial Communities and Co-operatives and Mutuals.

Dean Ward has a strong background of over 25 years of experience in the residential property sector, with expertise spanning development, acquisition, sales and disposal, having worked for large businesses such as Barratt Homes, Countrywide Residential Development, and Wales Residential, working closely on the successful ‘Cardiff Living’ project.

As Chairman of the Regional Learning & Skills Partnership for South West Wales, Dean leads initiatives to identify regional skills needs and influence local schools, colleges, and universities to deliver courses and training that meet industry demands. His leadership ensures the property sector and the wider regional economy has a strong talent pipeline for the future.

Based in Swansea, Dean also brings his experience as CEO of PropSmarts, a pioneering proptech company, bringing a practical understanding of innovation and business to his work in supporting skills and workforce development across the region.

Leigh has been Chair of Cardiff Capital Region Employment & Skills Board since 2018 and been an advisor to both UK and Wales Government on employability and skills across all sectors. As recent Chair of CITB Wales Nation Council Leigh is a strong advocate of Apprenticeships and the value they bring to the individual and company.

He has worked in the construction industry for over 35 years across the UK at Board level and is owner, Managing Director of Felicitas Consultancy, providing Project Management, Strategic Management, Business growth and decarbonisation strategies.

With a focus on enhancing skills and employability, Jeff plays a crucial role in liaising with the Welsh Government and other key stakeholders to advance work-based learning initiatives. His efforts are pivotal in shaping policies and programmes that support apprenticeships, Jobs Growth Wales+, and Personal Learning Accounts, which aim to upskill and reskill individuals to meet the demands of the Welsh economy.

Jeff’s work ensures that further education colleges in Wales can deliver high-quality, government-funded programmes that cater to a diverse range of learners and employers. His strategic oversight helps align these educational initiatives with broader governmental priorities, such as the Young Persons Guarantee, Green Skills, and wider economic development.

Barry was appointed Principal of Pembrokeshire College in April 2019, having served as Interim Principal for the previous year and as Deputy Principal since 2012. His career has included research, lecturing, and senior management roles at Croydon College, Kingston University, Halmstad University in Sweden and Xiamen University in China.

Barry serves on the board of the Darwin Centre for Biology and Medicine, is Vice Chairman of a local primary school and sits on several regional bodies including Pembrokeshire’s Public Services Board, the Pembrokeshire Economic Ambition Forum and the Regional Learning and Skills Partnership Board.

Barry has been instrumental in the College’s growth, overseeing the £15 million development of the Merlins Bridge campus. His leadership centres on delivering high-quality educational opportunities and building strong partnerships with local employers to support community and economic growth.

Felix Milbank is the Deputy Head of Policy for the Federation of Small Businesses in Wales. He is an experienced political economist with expertise in SME business policy, devolution, and fiscal policy. With experience spanning European institutions and strategic communications agencies, Felix brings a unique blend of policy insights.

Felix is currently leading on FSB Wales’s work regarding public digital infrastructure and Welsh Government’s Digital Strategy, ensuring that it’s focus seeks to reduce barriers for SMEs navigating the regulatory and tax landscape in Wales. Felix also sits on Welsh Government’s External Advisory Group for the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), offering contributions that aim to ensure that policy design reflects the realities faced by SMEs

Bethan has worked at RAF Valley for over 25 years, including 21 years with Babcock International Group. She is the Lead Training and Apprentice Supervisor, and co-manages the Hawk Apprenticeship Programme, a role in which she has been instrumental in shaping high-quality engineering talent in North Wales.

Bethan played a pivotal role in establishing and developing the Hawk Apprenticeship Programme, beginning in 2014 and supporting the launch of its first cohort in 2016. Over the past decade, the programme has recruited 76 local young people from across North Wales into high-quality careers, helping retain skilled talent in Wales while opening pathways to global opportunities.

Delivered in close collaboration with Grŵp Llandrillo Menai as a strategic partner, the programme is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and is a widely regarded apprenticeship model. In recognition of its quality and impact, the programme was a finalist in the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2024.

Bethan is passionate about developing future engineers, strengthening local skills pipelines and championing Welsh apprenticeships rooted in our language, culture and communities as a pathway to high-value careers.

Amie Field is the Interim Director of Customer Strategy and Service Development at Careers Wales. With nearly 20 years of experience in the careers sector, Amie began as an employability coach and has since held a variety of roles spanning both service delivery and infrastructure.

Over the past eight years, Amie has taken on a range of management roles across Careers Wales, most recently serving as Head of Services to Young People. These experiences have equipped her with a deep understanding of customer needs, data-driven service improvement, and strategic leadership.

In her current interim director role, Amie leads the development and delivery of customer strategy and service innovation, ensuring that Careers Wales continues to provide high-quality, impartial support to young people and adults across Wales.

Cath relocated to Wales to pursue her teaching career in 1989 after completing a PGCSE in Chemistry and Integrated Science at Hull University. Following experience as Head of Science in two Cardiff Schools, she successfully completed an MSc in Education Management and NPQH. She then moved into senior leadership, where she has nearly 20 years experience. She has engaged as an Estyn Peer Inspector and contributed to Welsh government’s development of Curriculum for Wales. Cath was appointed as Education Policy Officer for ASCL Cymru in September 2023.

I am Degree Apprentice Estimator with Tilbury Douglas in South Wales, studying at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. In my role, I support the management of tenders from early stages through to submission, working closely with commercial teams and engaging with the supply chain to obtain accurate and competitive pricing. I am passionate about developing my skills within the construction industry and contributing to successful project delivery. In 2025, I was proud to be named Apprentice of the Year at the Construction Excellence Wales Generation for Change Awards. I am committed to continuing my professional development and hope to inspire others to consider a career in construction through apprenticeships.

I am a Trainee Accountant at Green & Co Accountants and Tax Advisors, currently studying the Level 4 qualification of AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) with ACT Ltd, after gaining distinctions in both Level 2 and 3. In my day-to-day role, I prepare year-end financial accounts for a variety of businesses, from sole trader farmers to multi-million-pound construction companies. I do this alongside completing bookkeeping, VAT returns, payment runs, and CIS returns for the same wide pool of clients, while also studying for my qualifications! I was very pleased to be presented with the Gold Award for Apprentice of the Year at ACT’s Success Through Skills awards 2026, and am also proud to have been nominated for both Apprentice of the Year and Accounts Technician of the Year, at the Finance Awards Wales 2026 (Finals are in May).

I’m a massive advocate for apprenticeships, after going against my A-Level tutors’ advice (who told me that I was wasting my potential by not going to university!!!!). I will always choose to spread the word about the availability of apprenticeships, how well they have served me, and how well they can serve other people too. It’s infuriating how they are not widely spoken about in schools/colleges as an option after school/A-Levels.

Ioan Matthews yw Prif Weithredwr y Coleg ers 2011. Bu’n gweithio mewn gwahanol rolau cenedlaethol ym maes addysg cyfrwng Cymraeg rhwng 2002 a 2011, ac yn ddarlithydd yng Ngholeg y Drindod, Caerfyrddin, am un mlynedd ar ddeg cyn hynny.

Mae gan Ioan brofiad helaeth ym maes polisi a chynllunio strategol, ac wedi cydweithio’n agos gyda Llywodraeth Cymru a chyrff cenedlaethol eraill. Mae’r Coleg wedi ei ddynodi dan Ddeddf Addysg ac Ymchwil (Cymru) 2022 i gynghori Medr ar eu cyfrifoldebau statudol mewn perthynas a’r Gymraeg, ac mae cynigion maniffesto 2026 y Coleg yn rhoi pwyslais penodol ar brentisiaethau.

Ioan Matthews has been the Chief Executive of the Coleg since 2011. He worked in various national roles in Welsh-medium education between 2002 and 2011, having previously lectured at Trinity College, Carmarthen, for eleven years.

Ioan has extensive experience in policy and strategic planning, and has worked closely with the Welsh Government and other national bodies. The College has been designated under the Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Act 2022 to advise Medr on their statutory responsibilities in relation to the Welsh language, and the Coleg’s 2026 manifesto proposals place particular emphasis on apprenticeships.

Dean Ward has a strong background of over 25 years of experience in the residential property sector, with expertise spanning development, acquisition, sales and disposal, having worked for large businesses such as Barratt Homes, Countrywide Residential Development, and Wales Residential, working closely on the successful ‘Cardiff Living’ project.

As Chairman of the Regional Learning & Skills Partnership for South West Wales, Dean leads initiatives to identify regional skills needs and influence local schools, colleges, and universities to deliver courses and training that meet industry demands. His leadership ensures the property sector and the wider regional economy has a strong talent pipeline for the future.

Based in Swansea, Dean also brings his experience as CEO of PropSmarts, a pioneering proptech company, bringing a practical understanding of innovation and business to his work in supporting skills and workforce development across the region.