Anna Nicholl MS

Key Interests and achievements

I enjoy working with people across different roles, sectors and industries to achieve shared goals. Areas that are important to me include democracy, fairness and how we increase prosperity and wellbeing within a thriving natural world. I am particularly interested in how we use social innovation to support better solutions to the multiple crises facing our society. There are big challenges to address in the short and long term, not least in the context of a nature and climate crisis. There are also opportunities. I look forward to working with others to address challenges and secure opportunities for Ceredigion Penfro and for Wales.

Personal history

My home is in Cardigan, where I grew up and went to school. I studied history in Emmanuel College, Cambridge before studying for an MSc in Development Studies in the London School of Economics. I moved to Cardiff for my first permanent job, joining Plaid Cymru’s first research team in 1999 in what was then National Assembly for Wales. I went on to live in Cardiff with my partner until 2000, when I made the escape back home to west Wales. I enjoy a wide range of activities beyond work including playing sports, getting out into our beautiful outdoors and taking part in the rich local arts and cultural scene, mainly from the audience.   

Professional background

My background is in public policy and social innovation. I hold an honorary role as an Innovator in Residence at SPARK in Cardiff University. I previously worked for NESTA, the UK innovation agency for social good, as Wales Manager for the Alliance for Useful Evidence. I was a Fellowship Councillor for Wales for RSA from 2023 – 2025 and have been a member of the Welsh Government Innovation Advisory Council for Wales. Being Director of Strategy and Sector Development in WCVA for nearly seven years showed me the huge contribution voluntary and community organisations make to Wales. I also saw this in my role as both Director of Policy and Communications and later Chair of Welsh Refugee Council, as I have through my voluntary involvement in various local and national groups. I have supported several voluntary organisations as well as the WLGA as a consultant. I have published work on devolution, civil society and the civil service in Wales, as well as on social justice and sustainability. 

Political history

I was a member of the first Plaid Cymru research team in the first National Assembly for Wales in 1999, led by Cynog Dafis AM and Lila Haines. I later became a Special Adviser for the Plaid Cymru Cabinet Members of the One Wales Government from 2008-2011. I have since worked as a policy adviser for Llyr Gryffudd MS on sustainable communities and most recently to Siân Gwenllian MS in her role as housing spokesperson.