Joyce Watson was a Member of
the Welsh Parliament between May 2016 and April 2026. This was her biography at
the time that she left.
Personal history
Joyce Watson is married with
three children, one grandson and one granddaughter.
She attended schools in Manorbier,
Cosheston and Cardigan. Joyce returned to education as an adult, studying at
Pembrokeshire College and Swansea University.
Professional background
Joyce served as a Pembrokeshire
County Councillor from 1995 – 2004.
Before her election to the
National Assembly for Wales, Joyce managed the Wales Women’s National
Coalition. She was a senior member of the Wales Gender Budget Group and NHS
Equality Reference Group.
Joyce has run several small
businesses – public houses, restaurants and retail outlets – in Ceredigion,
Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.
Political history
Joyce was first elected to the
National Assembly for Wales in 2007.
She has represented the
Assembly on several international bodies: the Commonwealth Parliamentary
Association (CPA) Wales branch (Chair), the British-Irish Parliamentary
Assembly, and the Council of Europe’s Congress of the Regions.
Joyce champions the
International White Ribbon campaign against domestic violence and is founder of
the Assembly’s anti-human trafficking group. Her political interests include
promoting the construction industry and rural economic renewal – by working to
raise skills, expand apprenticeships and support rural businesses.
