Heledd Fychan MS

Key interests and achievements

Heledd's main interests are culture, history and heritage; ensuring action on the climate emergency and eradicating child poverty; and ensuring that everyone has the right to learn and use the Welsh language.

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, as well as Pontypridd Town Council. Since being elected, she has led and supported a number of prominent local campaigns, such as calling for an independent inquiry into the devastating floods of 2020, saving the Accident and Emergency Unit at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, and opposing changes to schools in the Pontypridd area.