Directors

Jane lives in Llandudno and has over 20 years’ experience of leadership roles within the public, private and third sectors in Wales.

As a Director at Visit Wales, she led on tourism product development and oversaw significant investments in new attractions such as Zip World and the Royal Mint. Before this, she spent ten years with the National Trust directly managing historic properties and leading on the visitor experience across Wales.

As Amgueddfa Cymru’s Chief Executive, Jane reports to the Chair and the Board of Trustees, and is responsible for providing inspiration, ambition, creativity, and strategic direction for the organisation.

What made you want to join Amgueddfa Cymru?

I’m fascinated by our past – by how the generations that went before us shape who we are now. And I want to know what our history can tell us about how we can respond to the challenges of our future. Our historic sites like the Slate Museum, the Wool Museum, Big Pit and St Fagans give me goosebumps. I love to walk around them and feel that connection with the past. And I’m just completely inspired by the collections at Swansea, Caerleon and the National Museum Cardiff – these treasures of our nation that tell of all we have done, and can do, as people.

I wanted to join Amgueddfa Cymru because I really want more people to get the same inspiration and joy that I get from these sites. I want people of all backgrounds to connect with these amazing places and collection, and I want to be part of creating ways for them to share their own stories with us. I want to help the Amgueddfa to be financially sustainable so that we can continue to do all the important work we’re involved in on behalf of the people of Wales. And I want to ensure we are a truly national organisation, reaching all the communities of Cymru.

What is your favourite thing about Amgueddfa Cymru?

My favourite thing changes from day to day. One day it’s the massive loom at the Wool Museum that transports me to a time when that whole building would have been filled with noise and energy. The next it’s the Rhyd y Cae terrace at St Fagans which reminds me of the homes of my own family history. And sometimes it’s a story, like the clam in our National Museum Cardiff that lived to be over 500 years old, and whose lifetime spanned both the painting of the Sistine Chapel and the mapping of the human genome. 

Since I started in this role my favourite moments have been with the staff and volunteers I’ve met and who have shared these stories with me. They’ve shown me so many things I didn’t know about our sites and have given me completely new perspectives. Our sites and our collections are amazing, but it's our people who bring them to life.

Originally from Ystradgynlais in the Swansea Valley, Kath’s career began in the museums sector and following a year’s apprenticeship with Amgueddfa Cymru, Kath took up a post with Cyngor Ynys Môn, as Research and Exhibitions Officer. She was involved in the establishment of Oriel Môn, Llangefni, and was responsible for the exhibition and learning programme. Kath subsequently took up a post with the Council of Museums in Wales to deliver the new Accreditation scheme.

Kath has a wealth of experience in the arts sector spanning over 20 years. Until her appointment in January 2020, she was Director of Investment and Funding at the Arts Council of Wales. She also delivered an ambitious Wales-wide Resilience Programme which focused on improving the sustainability of arts organisations.

Throughout her career, Kath has led ambitious capital projects throughout Wales, including the Wales Millennium Centre, The Riverfront in Newport, Theatr Mwldan in Aberteifi, Galeri Caernarfon, Ruthin Craft Centre, and Pontio, Bangor.

Peter is a qualified accountant and a Fellow of the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants. He’s operated at senior and board levels in the private, public and charity sectors and within regulated environments. He is experienced in designing and implementing strategies, with focus on cultural change and continuous improvement, through robust analysis of data, strong stakeholder engagement and staff development.

He’s led multi-functional teams, improving performance, on an individual, team and corporate level. He also has experience of people development and recognising innovation in systems and processes through engaging with internal and external audiences.

Nia became a Director at Amgueddfa Cymru in October 2016. She is a qualified teacher and has worked in the field of education for over 30 years. 

Nia steered the new strategic vision for St Fagans National Museum of History, which was awarded Art Fund Museum of the Year in 2019. Nia’s responsibilities include Events, Exhibitions, Learning, Publications and Volunteering programmes, and the Museum’s compliance with the Welsh Language Standards and the Well-being of Future Generations.

Born in Cardiff, Nia is a fluent Welsh speaker, a Policy & Evidence Centre Creative Industry Champion and a fellow of the Learned Society of Wales.

What made you want to join Amgueddfa Cymru?

I joined Amgueddfa Cymru because I have always been passionate about the positive impact cultural participation can have on people’s lives. As a history teacher I experienced this first-hand, taking children and young people on visits to museums and heritage attractions. The students got far more out of the visit when they were actively involved in designing their own experiences. Co-designing our programmes with partners and young people ensures we maximise the impact of our inspirational collection and settings. 

What is your favourite thing about Amgueddfa Cymru?

My favourite thing is the passion of our staff and volunteers who bring our extraordinary award-winning museums to life.  

Phil moved to Wales thirty years ago to take up his first role as a management trainee with a logistics firm. In the mid-’90s he moved into HR, and he has been engaged in senior HR and Corporate Services roles for the past 20 years. He has worked as HR and Estates Director for both Companies House and the DVLA. Before joining Amgueddfa Cymru, Phil worked as the People and OD Director for Public Health Wales, leading national work on the health and well-being of employees in Wales during the COVID-19 pandemic. As Director of Corporate Resources, Phil has a broad remit for Amgueddfa Cymru and leads the corporate areas of HR, Finance, Estates, Pensions and the Project Office. Outside work he is a member of Highfields Church and a Trustee of a Thyroid Cancer Charity, as well as a season ticket holder at Cardiff City.

What made you want to join Amgueddfa Cymru?

I was interested in the sector and the impact that culture could have on health and well-being, especially as we emerged from the pandemic. I was also keen to do a wider role and take on broader responsibilities than HR.  this seemed to be the perfect combination!

What is your favourite thing about Amgueddfa Cymru?

All the Museums are different and special in their own way. I especially like the Museums that tell a particular story.  I have enjoyed visiting all of them but liked the story and interaction at the Wool Museum in Drefach.

Nia Elias joined Amgueddfa Cymru in April 2021 and brings with her a wealth of experience and connections from across the cultural sector, having worked at Blood Cancer UK, Wales Millennium Centre, the Tate Gallery, Somerset House Trust and the Imperial War Museum, London.

Nia’s past roles have seen her lead departments across both fundraising and commercial income generation, as well as customer experience and volunteer engagement.

A Welsh speaker, originally from Carmarthenshire and now living in the Vale of Glamorgan with her family, Nia also sits on the Board of Directors at Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol and the Advisory Panel of the Welsh Language Commissioner.