Ruth Williams

< Cymru Wales

Occupation: Company Director and Trustee

Co-operative businesses traded with in the last 12 months: Food and Bank

Skills and Experience

I seek your vote to represent Wales members on the Co-op’s Council, because I’m passionate about helping to make life in Wales better for all. I want to ensure the Co-op’s social goals contribute to the well-being of present and future generations in Wales. I offer extensive Board level and trustee experience for this role. I’m keen to liaise with local groups to advocate grassroots feelings to Council. Please give me your vote. Thank you

Additional Information

Why I want your vote: I am driven by a passion to help Wales become more sustainable for present and future generations to live, work and play in. Therefore I would relish this opportunity to uphold the social goals of the Co-op on behalf of its members in Wales.

Wales is an international leader in sustainability, being the first nation to place a sustainability duty on itself and on most public bodies via the Future Generations Wales Act 2015 to improve the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales. The Act puts in place seven well-being goals and I see a close match between them and the values and principles of the Co-op.

Why I can do this role:
I am confident I have much to contribute to advance the aims of the Co-op: I have significant Trustee, Board-level and Advisory Committee experience including: - the Wales European Centre in Brussels – Board member - the Welsh Development Agency – Board member and chaired two Board committees - RICS Research Trust – UK Trustee - chaired the Regeneration Skills Collective Wales I was Head of Policy and Communications for the National Trust right across Wales. Therefore I am very well networked within many facets of public life in Wales and would use these connections to be an ardent advocate of the Co-op.

I am a strategic thinker and have a strong intellect, being a Royal Society Scholar, and have a PhD in marine biology. I would relish inputting a Wales perspective to the Co-op Council's work.

How I will fit-in on the co-op’s council: I perform a very similar role for Welsh Water as a Member of its holding company. It is unique amongst utilities in not having shareholders. The 60 or so Members do not make strategic decisions but hold the Board to account and play an essential secondary governance role, helping to promote the good running of the company. Informally, Members also play a crucial role in acting as a sounding board for the Board and the Executive and providing a conduit to and from the communities served by Welsh Water.

I enjoy working with people from a range of backgrounds and learning from their different approaches and cultures. I have served positively and productively on relevant bodies including: the Equal Opportunities Commission's Wales Advisory Committee, the Institute of Welsh Affairs as a Trustee, and the Welsh Government's Social Enterprise Advisory Panel. I was a founding board member of Sustain Wales / Cynnal Cymru. I am honoured to have just been elected a trustee of the Royal Institution of South Wales.

In conclusion: I strive to support, as well as to further, the strategic aims and aspirations of every organisation I serve and I am happy to stand on my extensive track record as an enthusiastic and committed strategic member.
I would be honoured to further contribute to the well-being of Wales as a member of the Co-op’s Council.