Minister for Education and the Welsh
Language
Key interests and
achievements
His interests include economic and
community development, and education and skills. Jeremy lives in Rhiwfawr in
the Neath constituency and enjoys films, reading, cooking, hiking, cycling, and
following rugby.
Personal history
Jeremy was born and brought up
in Pontarddulais and as a Welsh speaker, he was educated at Ysgol Gyfun
Ystalyfera in the Swansea valley and New College, Oxford where he read law.
Straight after graduating, he taught law at Warsaw University in Poland.
Professional background
Jeremy practised as a solicitor
in London initially, and then held senior legal and commercial posts in media
sector businesses including ITV and with the US television network and film
studio, NBC Universal. After returning to live in Wales, he set up his own
consultancy working with international clients in the broadcast and digital
sectors. Jeremy has been a trustee and secretary of the social justice charity
the Bevan Foundation. He also has experience as a youth mentor and as an
adviser at free legal advice centres.
Political history
He was elected to the Welsh
Parliament, commonly known as the Senedd, for Neath constituency in May 2016,
he sits as a Welsh Labour and Co-operative party Member of the Senedd,
following the retirement of Gwenda Thomas AM. Prior to joining the Welsh
Government in 2017, Jeremy was a member of a number of parliamentary committees
including Economy, Skills and Infrastructure; Culture, Welsh Language and
Communications and the External Affairs Committee. He also chaired the
Co-operative group of Labour MS’s. Jeremy was appointed to the Cabinet as
Counsel General in November 2017. Following the election of Mark Drakeford MS
as Welsh Labour Leader and First Minister in December 2018, he retained this
role along with assuming the new post of Brexit Minister. Prior to the 2021
Senedd election, Jeremy served as the Counsel General and Minister for European
Transition, also leading the work on Wales’ recovery from the Covid-19
pandemic.