Careers Wales welcomes three new board members

Careers Wales has announced the appointment of three new members to the Careers Choices Dewis Gyrfa (CCDG) board.

Aled Jones-Griffith, Dr Kate Daubney and Joni Ayn Alexander joined the board in January 2023.

Together, they have decades of experience from across the education and careers sectors:

Aled Jones-Griffith has worked in the further education sector for 15 years. He was a faculty director at Coleg Menai and an Assistant Principal at Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor. In 2018, he was appointed as principal for Coleg Menai and Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor. Before his career in further education, Aled held senior managerial positions in a variety of sectors, including chief executive of the Nant Gwrtheyrn National Language Centre. Aled also has responsibilities in various groups promoting creative learning in Wales.

Aled said: “I would like to ensure that all school leavers have access to have impartial conversations about further education or career options and that adults are able to access similarly impartial advice and guidance through Working Wales.”

Dr Kate Daubney has worked in education for 30 years, including 20 years in careers education and employability development. During this time she supported teenagers and adults to find and reach their goals. Her research and practice focuses on how individuals make progress on their career journeys. Kate has been the head of two UK university careers services. She is currently director of The Careers Group federation of university careers services.

Kate said: “I am really excited about how Careers Wales can work with the framework in Curriculum for Wales. The cross-cutting theme of careers and work-related learning and the clear language of transferable skills in the Four Purposes open up significant opportunities to enable young people to explore and achieve their goals.”

Joni Ayn Alexander is the assistant director for membership at a global charity supporting higher education institutions, Advance HE. She has a strong background in tertiary education and media. Joni has experience leading strategic change and communications both in executive and non-executive roles and at board level in a diverse range of organisations.

Joni said: “Through inclusive and innovative support, I want to see Careers Wales collaboratively raise the ambitions, abilities and opportunities for the people of Wales.”

In addition to agreeing the appointment of the three new members, Vaughan Gething MS, Minister for Economy, has agreed the reappointments of Richard Thomas and David Hagendyk to the Careers Choices Dewis Gyrfa (CCDG) (Careers Wales) Board.

Chief Executive of Careers Wales, Nikki Lawrence, said: “I’m delighted to welcome three new exemplar professionals to our board.

“Aled, Kate and Joni will bring a range of expertise and skills to the table as we continue to implement our Brighter Futures strategy.

“I’m also very pleased that Richard and David will be continuing their time on the board for another term of office.

“I look forward to us working together in supporting the people of Wales with their careers advice and guidance needs.”

All board member appointments will run for a three-year period from their start dates.

The post of a CCDG Board Member is an unpaid voluntary position with an annual commitment of a minimum of 10 days.

All three appointments have been made in accordance with Welsh Government’s Governance Code on Public Appointments.

For further information, visit the board members page on the Careers Wales website.