Wales/Cymru Committee

Owen Thomas is Head of Fundraising and Communications at St John Ambulance Cymru, and Chair of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising Cymru. He is a seasoned fundraising leader and project manager with over 18 years’ experience in the charity sector, with expertise in securing significant funding, managing budgets, and leading high-performing teams.

Owen has worked across a wide range of causes, including environmental, humanitarian, and international development, with organisations such as the RSPB, British Red Cross, and Young Enterprise. He has a proven track record of building strong relationships with donors, trustees, and colleagues.

Owen grew up in rural West Wales before moving to Reading and London for university. He returned to Cardiff in 2007 and is a proud advocate for Wales and the Welsh language. In his spare time, he enjoys walking his rescue dog Freddie and singing with the South Wales Gay Men’s Chorus.

Kerys is an experienced third-sector leader, trustee, and fundraising practitioner, with strategic and operational expertise across all income streams. Over the past 20 years, she has worked for charities in Wales spanning hospice care, the arts, housing, and homelessness.

Her voluntary and governance work extends further, including education, sport, community engagement, music, domestic violence, LGBTQ+ equality, and animal welfare. Alongside her full-time role as Head of Fundraising at Shelter Cymru, Kerys is also Chair of Ysgol Bryn Onnen and Vice Chair of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising Cymru.

A proud career fundraiser, Kerys has raised millions of pounds for good causes, enabling essential and life-changing work across Wales.

Neil lives in Neath and grew up in a small town in the South Wales Valleys. He began his career in retail, working as a manager in a bakery for several years before moving into the charity sector in 2014 as a Retail Manager.

In 2017, Neil undertook a secondment into a community fundraising role and quickly found his passion, developing strong connections with supporters and their stories. In 2025, he became responsible for leading the Community and Events team at Shelter Cymru, with a pan-Wales remit.

Neil joined the CIOF Cymru committee in February 2023 and is passionate about supporting fundraisers across Wales. His current responsibilities include community fundraising, events, third-party fundraising, and engagement with schools, clubs, and community groups.

Samantha has been a fundraising professional for 15 years, working with charities of all sizes—from hyper-local organisations to large UK-wide charities. Wales is her home, and she is proud to represent Welsh fundraisers whenever possible.

Currently Senior Engagement Operations Manager at RNIB, Sam brings extensive experience in fundraising management, strategy, and compelling communications to the committee.

Mike has been a professional fundraiser for over 20 years, holding roles across arts organisations, charities, and commercial rights holders. He has led fundraising campaigns, developed strategies, and secured sponsorship across a wide range of sectors.

Mike has experience across all areas of fundraising, working with corporates, individuals, trusts and foundations, and statutory funders. He is a former Chair of the Barry Memorial Hall and Theatre Trust, where he advised on fundraising strategy, marketing, and communications. He has also previously served as Chair of the IoF Regional Fundraisers Forum.

Mike is currently Head of Income Generation and Business Development at Mind in Gwent.

James is a community fundraiser with over 10 years’ experience across both paid and voluntary roles. He currently works with “Is the Community” and is studying towards a Certificate in Fundraising with the Chartered Institute of Fundraising.

In 2024, James spoke at the Scottish Fundraising Conference about his experiences of fundraising with a disability, helping to raise awareness and champion accessibility in the sector. He is passionate about ensuring fundraising is inclusive and accessible for everyone.

Helen is an experienced charity leader with over 20 years’ experience in fundraising, development and governance across the Welsh third sector. A specialist in trusts and foundations and statutory funding, Helen has spent much of her career as the sole fundraiser within organisations of varying sizes, building broad, hands-on expertise across strategy, partnerships, communications and income generation.

She currently works across both Black Mountains College, where she is Director of Development, and Perthyn, where she leads business development. Her work often sits within complex policy and funding environments, collaborating with funders, commissioners and partners to support organisational resilience and long-term sustainability.

Helen is passionate about the vital role small charities play and the difference they make to communities across Wales.