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.
