Board of Directors

There are currently 9 individuals serving as directors on the Bara Caws Board. Each member was appointed because of their support and understanding of the Company's objectives and ethos, their support to theatre in Wales in general, and their ability to contribute specialist skills to the Company. All members attend regular Board meetings, and are also members of sub-panels with specific responsibilities suitable to their expertise.

Chairperson - Ben Gregory

Ben is from Tredegar. He moved to Penygroes in 1998 and works at Yr Orsaf. Ben is a former Senior Community Officer with Grŵp Cynefin. He volunteers with a number of groups working with children and young people, including ‘Iwth Pen’ (a volunteer youth club), Dyffryn Nantlle 2020 (including successful film groups, and starting a drama club for the youth in January 2019), and on the Board of Governors at Ysgol Bro Lleu. He is one of the founding members of Board of Griffiths Shop Ltd, with responsibility for fundraising.

Member of sub-panels – Finance, Capital/New Home, Staffing and Employment.

Vice Chairperson - Gerwyn Williams

Creative Editor at Gwasg y Bwthyn, author and literary critic. Previously Gerwyn was for many years Professor of Welsh at Bangor University. He has served on various arts committees and boards, e.g. the Books Council of Wales’ board of trustees and board member of the Arts Council of Wales.

Member of sub-panels – Finance, Capital/New Home, Artistic, Staffing and Employment.

Siôn Blake

Law and French degree from Aberystwyth CPC. Erasmus student at the University of Rennes, Brittany. Working for Pritchard Jones Lane LLP Solicitors, Caernarfon.

Member of sub-panels – Finance, Capital/New Home, Staffing and Employment.

Alun Ffred Jones

Former Head of the Welsh Department at Ysgol Alun, Mold; former presenter and journalist with HTV; former director / producer with Nant Films; former leader of Gwynedd Council; former Assembly Member and spent three years as Heritage Minister in the Welsh Government (Cymru’n Un); one of the founding members and ex Chaiperson of Antur Nantlle. He released his debut novel Gwynrt y Dwyrain in August 2023. The novel won the Daniel Owen Memorial Prize at the National Eisteddfod in 2023.

Member of sub-panels – Finance, Capital/New Home.

Mair Rowlands

Mair Rowlands was a County Councillor in the Menai Bangor Ward between 2012-2022, she is a former Children and Young People's Cabinet Member and Deputy Leader of Gwynedd Council.

She now works as the Director of Undeb Bangor - Bangor Students' Union, where she is responsible for leading and managing the charity day to day and works closely with young leaders.

Member of sub-panels – Staffing and Employment, Board 'Buddies'.

Mared Llywelyn

She won the Drama Medal at the Urdd Pen y Bont Eisteddfod in 2017. In January of that year, she formed Cwmni Tebot with his friends - an amateur company keen to entertain their community by performing their original work. Since the Company's inception, they have worked in collaboration with Theatr Bara Caws by writing the fun review Costa Byw. Mared has also collaborated with Bara Caws and Urdd Youth Theatre in the past two years with the show Aberhenfelen. She was one of the three playwrights who wrote the show.

Most recently she worked with Bara Caws on the trilingual play, Taigh/Tŷ/Teach. She has translated the play An Oak Tree / Derwen for Cwmni Invertigo, and the play toured Welsh theatres during November 2018. She has collaborated with Arad Goch to create a forum theatre play, Hudo/Tempted and Croesi'r Llinell/Crossing the Line. In July 2019 Hudo/Tempted won the Arts and Business Wales award.

Recently she worked with Cwmni'r Frân Wen on the play Croendena, and performed in Parti Priodas for Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru.

Mared works as an Education and Volunteering Officer at Plas Carmel, Anelog.
 
Member of sub-panels –Capital/New Home, Artistic.

Ifan Pleming

‘The name is Ifan Pleming, originally from Llithfaen near Pwllheli. After a period in Cardiff studying Welsh and Law and achieving a Masters degree in Creative Writing. From University, I started as a translator for the Welsh Government. I have now moved back to Llithfaen and  I’m working in their Caernarfon office.

 I'm very interested in the arts, and whilst in Cardiff, I was a member of the Aberhafren team on Talwrn y Beirdd for many years. I enjoy writing songs and have published a few. Very recently, I’ve started a PhD in Bangor University. I have a keen interest in local history and maritime history

I'm delighted to have the opportunity to be a board member of Theatr Bara Caws, and although the world of drama is something relatively new to me, it's a privilege to be helpful in ensuring that such an important community resource such as Theatr Bara Caws continues to develop the highest quality, relevant, witty original Welsh-medium work.

I have Cerebral Palsy, which means that I can’t walk independently. I use crutches or a walking frame. I hope  that my input will be helpful as Theatr Bara Caws prepares the artistic programme in future years, whilst also helping with the accessibility side of things as Theatr  Bara Caws looks for a new home’.

Haydn Jones

With over 16 years of work experience in the social and environmental sectors, I am a passionate and strategic leader who thrives on creating positive impact and fostering collaboration. As the Chief Officer at Cymunedoli Cyf, I oversee an innovative and exciting platform that connects and supports Gwynedd's community enterprises, enhancing their sustainability and resilience. I am committed to advancing the social, economic, and environmental well-being of the region, and bringing diverse perspectives and experiences to the team.

Prior to joining Cymunedoli Cyf, I was a Senior Manager at Antur Waunfawr, a leading social enterprise that provides employment and training opportunities for people with learning disabilities. I managed three green businesses that delivered high-quality services and products. I also leveraged my skills in interpersonal leadership, technical support, and strategic planning to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the businesses, and the satisfaction and empowerment of the staff and customers.

ELENID ROBERTS

Originally from Maentwrog now living and working in Penygroes, in the Nantlle Valley. She holds a First Class degree in Drama and Performance from the University of Edinburgh, and has a background working for television companies, and as a project manager for an events company in Bristol.  

She is now Project Manager for Cymru Fydd at Yr Orsaf social enterprise, co-ordinating enterprise centre projects for young people, co-working space, community transport, and socialising activities for the over 60s. She also runs drama club workshops for Year 4 to Year 7 children of the area on a weekly basis. 

Having admired the work of Bara Caws since childhood, she is thrilled to be a board member and looks forward to offering her support.