Key interests and
achievements
After leaving university, Cefin
taught Welsh for Adults at Swansea University before being appointed as a lecturer
in Welsh Language and Literature and Welsh History at Cardiff University. He
established the first Menter Iaith in Wales – there are now 22 Mentrau Iaith
across Wales. He was a member of the S4C Authority and the Board of Governors
of Coleg Sir Gâr, as well as acting as a language advisor to Bòrd na Gàidhlig
in Scotland. He was also a licensed inspector for Estyn and chair of a number
of school governing boards. During his time as a member of Carmarthenshire
County Council's Cabinet he chaired a cross-party group that developed a
comprehensive strategy to promote the Welsh language within the Council, a
strategy to regenerate rural Carmarthenshire, an innovative plan to tackle
poverty, an action plan to ensure that Carmarthenshire reaching net-zero carbon
by 2035 and produced a report to tackle racism and discrimination. In his spare
time, he enjoys watching the Scarlets, supporting Swansea City, fishing and
caravanning!
Personal history
He is married with three
daughters. The eldest is a journalist, the second eldest is at university in
Cardiff and a former member of the Welsh Youth Parliament, and the youngest
studying is for her A-levels. He lives in Gelli Aur in the Tywi Valley but was
born and bred in the Amman Valley. Many of his father's family were miners,
including his grandfather but almost all of his mother's family were farmers.
He feels honoured to have inherited the traditions of two of Wales' leading
industries!
Professional background
After completing his MA, Cefin
Campbell was appointed lecturer in Welsh for Adults at Swansea University and
later lectured in Welsh Language and Literature and Welsh History at the
Department of Adult Continuing Education, Cardiff University. He left the
higher education sector in 1991 to establish the first Menter Iaith in Wales,
namely Menter Cwm Gwendraeth, before moving on to establish Mentrau Iaith
across Wales. In 2008, he set up a consultancy business called Sbectrwm,
specialising in research, strategic planning, project management and training,
working for some of Wales' leading organisations. He was Managing Director of
the company until his election to the Sixth Senedd in May 2021.
Political history
Cefin was a County Councilor on
Carmarthenshire County Council from 2012 to 2022 and a member of the
Carmarthenshire County Council Cabinet with responsibility for Rural Affairs
and Communities from 2017 to 2021. He was elected to the Senedd in 2021 as a
regional member for Mid and West Wales.
Other
Cefin was previously the Plaid
Cymru group spokesperson on Rural Affairs and Agriculture. In January 2022 he
was appointed as a Designated Member in the Co-Operation Agreement between
Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Government. He also has an interest in supporting
legislation to tackle the second homes crisis, tackling poverty and creating
one million Welsh speakers.
