Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet
Minister for Culture and Sport
Main interests and
achievements
As a Member of the Senedd,
Heledd has campaigned on a variety of topics including greater action on the climate
emergency and support for communities facing an ongoing risk of flooding; the
closure of Craig yr Hesg quarry; a more central role for culture, history,
heritage, the arts, and sport in government programmes; the future of the Welsh
language; tackling poverty; better support for learners with additional
learning needs and school transport.
Personal history
Heledd was raised in Anglesey,
where she attended Ysgol Gynradd y Talwrn and Ysgol David Hughes. She studied
History and Politics at Trinity College, Dublin, and served as Education
Sabbatical Officer at the Trinity College Students’ Union, and then as Education
Sabbatical Officer for the Union of Students in Ireland. She holds a Master’s
degree in Medieval History from Bangor University. Heledd lives in Pontypridd
with her husband and their son.
Professional background
Prior to her election, Heledd
had worked for 12 years at the National Museum Wales, serving as Head of Policy
and Public Affairs, and leading on governance, strategy, internal
communications, international relations and stakeholder engagement. She served
on the board of the Museums Association, and chaired both its Ethics Committee
and its Nations Committee. She also represented the organisation as a guest
speaker at a number of international conferences. Prior to that, Heledd worked
for the Plaid Cymru group in Westminster.
Political history
In 2017, Heledd was elected to
represent the Pontypridd Town ward on Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and also
Pontypridd Town Council. As a Councillor, she supported several prominent local
campaigns including calling for an Independent Inquiry into the devastating
floods of 2020, saving the A&E Unit at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, and
opposing changes to schools in the Pontypridd area.
