New Communications and Marketing Manager joins a “great company”

Grwp Cynefin’s new Communications and Marketing Manager says that she is proud to be to joining a “great company” and is looking forward to the challenges ahead.

Those are the words of Mari Williams, from Llanuwchllyn, near Bala as she starts her new role: “The job was appealing as Grŵp Cynefin has a good name in this local area and I was familiar with their ethos as a company from my days running the local papers.”

Building on that work to raise the profile of the housing association, which operates in north Wales and north Powys, will be part of the role for the former owner and editor of local newspapers ‘Y Cyfnod’ and ‘Corwen Times.’

Mari Williams said: “I’m starting this role at a time like no other, with many of the staff working from home and our offices closed. So getting to know the staff members, the different departments and the work of the organisation is a challenge in itself, but I’m looking forward to tackling the internal and external communications of the housing association.

“Learning how many staff members have been with the company for so many years was an eye-opener. It speaks volumes about the organisation itself. The staff is the backbone of the organisation and the dedication and experience of the team is invaluable. Together they have skills and expertise in so many different fields.

Mari joins the housing association having spent almost four years as magazine editor and then Urdd Gobaith Cymru’s communications manager.

She started her career with Golwg, before turning freelance, working for a variety of publications, including the Western Mail. She then became communications manager for BBC Cymru Wales for 14 years, working most of those years in Cardiff.

She now lives in the Llanuwchllyn area, is married to a journalist and has two children.

“I didn’t realise the range and breadth of services of Grŵp Cynefin’s work – supporting tenant welfare, domestic violence, vulnerable families, homelessness – the organisation deals with complex and challenging issues. It’s also a very exciting time with the development of a truly innovative health and well-being complex at Dyffryn Nantlle and the largest extra care housing scheme in the history of the association in Denbigh.”

The housing association manages 4,800 properties across north Wales and north Powys and is, of course, currently dealing with the impact of the pandemic on the day to day work of staff and tenants.

Grŵp Cynefin is rooted in strengthening and enriching communities, and the language and culture are at the forefront of its work.

“Only days after starting the job, I learned that the core message of the association ‘More than Housing’ is absolutely true.

“I’m looking forward to learning more, working with the association’s partners, staff and Board members and building on the good work of Grŵp Cynefin into the future,” explains Mari Williams.

Welcoming her to the association, Shan Lloyd Williams, Grŵp Cynefin’s chief executive, said: “It’s great to welcome Mari to the team, as someone who has extensive communications experience and has a passion for the work. We look forward to drawing on her experience and developing our plans for communicating and marketing Grŵp Cynefin’s services and projects with the world.”