Our executive team is responsible for:
- implementing our strategy and business plan
- interacting with government
- developing the organisation
Brian Davies - Chief Executive Officer
Tell us about your role? I am the Chief Executive Officer of Sport Wales – and there is no truth in the rumour that I only got the role because I’ve got friends in high places (see pic)!!
If you google what a CEO does - it sounds quite boring. My version is that one of greatest honours you can have in life is the opportunity to lead a brilliant organisation, full of energetic people that believe in what they do and have a passion for making a difference ! That’s what being the CEO of Sport Wales is.
What’s something you’re working on at the moment? Probably the most important aspect of work for me at the moment is helping to build our relationship with the new Plaid Cymru Government.
We have a fantastic opportunity to position sport and physical activity further up the political agenda and more importantly in a broader public consciousness.
We will have also taken on 5 new Board members within the last 10 months, so inducting and working closely with them is also a priority for me, the Executive Team and Tanni (as Chair).
What's something staff might not know about you? I was born in Nairobi, Kenya and lived there for the first two years of my life before my parents left the RAF and returned to St Athan, then later Barry. My brother also lives a few doors away from Gwen’s house in Gavin and Stacey !
Graham Williams - Director - Sport Intelligence and Service Development
Tell us about your role? My role is to help connect the fantastic work that takes place in the Directorate with other parts of Sport Wales, including the Board and also with Welsh Government – whether that is work in the National Centres, communications, digital, insights, investments, policy, public affairs, service design, National Partners, or health and education systems.
What’s something you’re working on at the moment? Coordinating our response to the Welsh Government’s call for evidence on a new Culture and Sport Strategy.
What's something staff might not know about you? I am a Trustee of a Charity that is leading Wrexham’s bid to be UK City of Culture in 2029.
Owen Lewis - Director of Sport Systems
Tell us about your role? The sport system directorate exists to lead, strengthen and connect the sport system. The stronger the sport system, the more likely that people can be active, enjoy sport and fulfil their sporting potential throughout their lives. We can’t control the sport system but it’s my role to ensure we take a joined-up approach to influencing it positively, growing capable organisations and people who collaborate, learn and adapt to provide meaningful experiences for people across Wales.
What’s something you’re working on at the moment? There’s lots on at the moment! I’m really proud of how we invest across our partner network in Wales and I’ve yet to tire of explaining it to others who are invariably envious of the approach we’re taking. I’m currently working on how we can provide stability to partners in an investment approach that’s clearly working while also evolving it to be even better in the future.
I’m also putting into practice what I’ve learned so far about systems thinking. It’s helping to ensure we’re leaving no stone unturned in giving every young person in Wales a great start in sport and physical activity. We’re looking at what levers we can pull in the sport system and in wider systems to ensure everyone plays their part – something you’ll see in our response to the Welsh Government culture and sport strategy consultation.
What's something staff might not know about you? I’m not bad on the guitar!
Emma Wilkins - Director - Finance and Business Services
Tell us about your role? My role is incredibly varied, and no two days are ever the same! I’m privileged to support our Finance, Technology Solutions, Organisational Performance, and People and Culture teams as they deliver the essential services that keep Sport Wales running effectively. My portfolio also spans Health and Safety, Safeguarding, Sustainability, and Governance, giving me the opportunity to work across a wide range of strategic and operational priorities.
What’s something you’re working on at the moment? Some of the key areas that I’m working on at the moment include contributing to our response to the call for evidence on the Culture and Sport Strategy, working with our technology team on an important cyber security accreditation called IASME, implementing a new risk management system (with support from our fantastic Digital and Service Design team) and working with an external expert on a Board Effectiveness Review to identify how we can better incorporate systems thinking into our governance structure.
What's something staff might not know about you? I’m a massive trance music fan and travel far and wide to attend trance events!