U-Z

	Mary van den Heuvel is originally from Cornwall, but now lives in Cardiff. Secretary of Public Affairs Cymru, she has degrees from the University of Cambridge and King’s College, London. She is part Welsh, part Dutch and two parts Cornish. Mary is a bit of a political geek, but happiest sitting on a beach with a pasty in her hand or watching Wales play rugby. You can follow Mary on twitter: @CardiffPixie.
	Lizzie Vine writes in her capacity as Chair of the Wales Environment Link Advocacy Working Group. She is the Policy Advocate for RSPB Cymru, a member of Wales Environment Link, along with others including Keep Wales Tidy, Campaign for National Parks, the Wildlife Trusts and many more organisations working for the environment in Wales.
	Melanie Wager has lived with renal failure for the past 22 years and was diagnosed two weeks before going to Westminster College, Oxford, where she studied to become an English teacher. She stopped teaching around five years ago after her health deteriorated. A volunteer for Kidney Wales Foundation, Melanie is able to dialyse at home thanks to the support of her husband Nick, who juggles his full time career with caring for her. Melanie keeps herself busy with hobbies and volunteer work, and hopes to return to teaching after a successful transplant.
	Derek Walker is Chief Executive of the Wales Co-operative Centre. The Centre is a development agency which champions co-operatives and co-operative working, believing co-operation can be a powerful driver in business success, innovation and social change. Derek’s background is in communications and policy development and he was previously the Head of Policy and Campaigns at the Wales TUC before becoming Head of External Affairs at the Big Lottery Fund in Wales. He is a committed trade unionist and a member of the Co-operative Party.
	Greg Walker is WalesHome’s resident opera buff. Born and brought up in Caerphilly and Cardiff, Greg is Deputy Director of Higher Education Wales. He is a former associate lecturer at Cardiff University, where he is completing his doctoral thesis. An international opera goer, Greg has travelled to see and hear opera at the Metropolitan Opera in New York and the Salzburg Festival.
	Gary Walpole is currently a partner at Inspirato LLP, an organisation that helps businesses grow through developing and implementing promising practices. He was formerly the Director of Leadership & Management Wales. He has 20 years experience gained in Higher Education and the private sector. He’s designed, developed and managed Leadership & Management programmes over the last 8 years at Cardiff Business School. He’s developed sound research, knowledge transfer and project management skills working at Cardiff and Glamorgan (Universities), BT and Resource Engineering. Gary holds a degree in Economics, Post Graduate diplomas in Human Resource Management, Social Science Research Methods and a Masters degree in Business Administration (Cardiff). His PhD is exploring leadership practices in SMEs.
	Marcus Warner is a 26 year old father of one. Enjoying music, politics and sport, he has brought into the world numerous blogs – but has now found a home at Sweet and Tender Hooligan. He currently represents many Welsh bands in the big bad world of music, with plans to set up a label of his own afoot.
	Emily Warren is 28 and is a senior policy advisor at the WLGA, having previously worked for a Labour AM at the National Assembly and as a journalist. She specialises in Children’s policy issues and has represented local government on a number of Ministerial Advisory groups. She has recently completed a Masters degree in European Governance and Public Policy, is a Trustee of Children in Wales and a Committee member of the BBC’s Children in Need Campaign. She is a member of the Labour party and enjoys debating the hot political topics of the day, over a pizza and beer with friends. Outside of politics she classes herself as a bit of a football expert based on the fact that she is the reigning ‘question of sport’ champion in her house! She writes for WalesHome.org in a personal capacity.
	Felicity Waters is a media and public relations consultant. She is a former Western Mail health correspondent and BBC Wales investigative journalist. She has also written for the Times Educational Supplement and was named Weekly Newspaper Journalist of the Year for her campaigning journalism on the Pontypridd and Llantrisant Observer. As a PR consultant she has devised a series of successful media campaigns for clients in Wales and across the UK, including one on behalf of children in care and the highly acclaimed People Like Us campaign for the Kidney Wales Foundation. www.felicitywatersmedia.co.uk
	Lee Waters was Vice Chair of the Yes for Wales campaign. He was responsible for communications and messaging after being appointed to the all-party steering group by the First Minister as the Labour Party representative. He is Chair of Governors of Barry Island Primary School and National Director of the Sustainable Transport Charity Sustrans. He is a former Chief Political Correspondent of ITV Wales.
	Lloyd Watkins recently graduated with a BA honours degree in Politics from Swansea University and is currently completing an Msc (Econ) in Political Theory at Cardiff University. He also works as a researcher at the Welsh Assembly Government for Plaid Cymru’s South Wales West AM Bethan Jenkins.
	Cristina Weds grew up in Stockport. She did a first degree in English at the University of Wales, Bangor and, after two years’ research on John Henry Cardinal Newman she was awarded an MPhil degree. Cristina’s interests include politics, law and education. She has worked for a Labour MP at the House of Commons, was offered a place to study law at Cambridge, and is a passionate believer in home education. She home-schooled her own children for several years, as well as providing tutoring to other children. Drawing on her own experience, Cristina argues passionately for reform of a family court system. She is the author of Cinders V Charming, an account of the domestic abuse she has suffered.
	Gillian White has worked in the Vending Industry for 20 years and now runs her own specialist Vending Consultancy 24vend Ltd. An Engineering graduate and self-professed “Vending Geek”, her experience has spanned beverages, snacks and ice cream vending for a number of companies across the world. Gillian sits on the board of the AVA and chairs the VCC, responsible for Political Affairs and Lobbying activities, in particular on topics relating to Health, Nutrition and Vending. She is also a Governor on the board of Coeliac UK. In her spare time Gillian is a fully qualified fitness instructor, teaching classes at Basingstoke Sports Centre and enjoys running to keep fit.
	Geraint Whittaker has returned to Wales to begin a PHD at Cardiff University after spending three years in Liverpool where he obtained an undergraduate degree in Geography, and a year in Edinburgh where he gained an MSc in Nationalism studies. His academic interests include national identity, culture, multiculturalism, community cohesion and geography. When not confusing himself over these issues, his other interests include, supporting and playing rugby and football, playing the guitar, and enjoying the beauty of the Gower peninsula.
	Victoria Whittal-Williams is an Account Manager at Warwick Emanuel PR and Film in Cardiff. A media and communications graduate of the University of Glamorgan, Victoria gained public relations experience working for a large government organisation and also a small privately owned business before joining Warwick Emanuel. Victoria is an avid supporter of social media as an effective means of communication and contributor to her firm’s blog.
	John Wilkinson is a seasoned communicator with more than 17 years marketing, media and public relations experience. After five years in public service communications, John entered the private sector in 1997 and has worked at three of Wales’ leading consultancies before launching Wilkinson Public Relations in June 2009. He is Treasurer of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations in Wales, a member of Public Affairs Cymru and sits on the commercial advisory board of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, of which he is an alumni.
	Alex Williams is the Deputy Chairman of South Wales West Conservatives and Chairman of the Ogmore Conservative Association, and was the candidate in Bridgend in 2011. Since his election in 2008, he has also served as a Councillor on Pencoed Town Council. He studied French & Politics at the University of Bath and Institut d’Etudes Politiques in Strasbourg and Transatlantic Politics at the University of Washington. He has worked for both Hewlett-Packard and Ofcom in public affairs and policy roles. He is a Member of the Tory Reform Group – an organisation which promotes the values of One Nation Conservatism.
	Andrew Williams is RNIB Cymru’s Eye Health Promotion and Communications Officer. He has lived and worked in Cardiff for ten years, but is originally from Carmarthenshire.
	Dr Andy Williams is the RCUK Research Fellow in Risk, Health and Science Communication at Cardiff University. His current major research interests relate to news sources and the influence of public relations on the UK media. He gained his MA and PhD at Cardiff University’s Centre for Critical and Cultural Theory and, after a stint as a political researcher for Leanne Wood AM, he moved to the School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies in 2006. He runs an MA module on media representations of science, the environment, and health. He also guest lectures, has provided expert opinion and advice to a number of government bodies, and regularly contributes to the UK national and regional press and broadcast media.
	Brian Williams is the Treasurer of the Communist Party in Wales. A former teacher, he is a graduate of the University of Wales and is married with two children
	Ceri Williams is a Senior Policy Advocate at Consumer Focus Wales, specialising in energy issues. His report, Off-Gas Consumers & Micro-generation, was published at the Royal Welsh Show. Ceri previously worked as a special advisor to the Welsh Assembly Government, and headed up the Wales in Europe campaign. Educated at Swansea University, Ceri enjoys cycling, singing and Swansea City FC.
	Huw Williams was educated at Ysgol Gyfun Llanhari and then at Reading, Cambridge and City of London Universities. He is a practising Chartered Surveyor with over 20 years experience in South Wales and London in both commercial and residential property. He has undertaken valuations for loan security for lenders and carries out work for LPA Receivers as well as advising on recovery/insolvency. Huw has also recently qualified as a Commercial Energy Assessor and advises companies on how to improve the value of their assets by instigating energy saving recommendations. He also coaches an Under 10s football team.
	Hywel Williams is Member of Parliament for Arfon. He was born in Pwllheli in 1953 and was educated in Pwllheli and the University of Wales. Before being elected as MP in 2001, Hywel worked as a freelance lecturer, consultant and author in social work and social policy, as well as Project Manager for Gofal Cymru. He also represented Plaid as their candidate for Clwyd South in the first ever elections to the National Assembly. His main political interests are social policy, culture, language and the arts. He enjoys reading and walking.
	Kirsty Williams AM is the Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats and has been Assembly Member for Brecon and Radnorshire since 1999. In the Assembly she had previously spoken for her party on a range of key issues including economic development, health and education. Kirsty was educated at the village primary school and St. Michaels School Llanelli. She studied for her degree, a B.A. Hons in American Studies at Manchester University and The University of Missouri. Prior to her career in politics, Kirsty worked at Carmarthenshire College and for a small business in Cardiff as a Marketing Executive. She lives on a farm outside Brecon with her husband and three daughters.
	Lleu Williams works in public affairs for a trade union. Originally from Llanelli, Lleu attended Swansea University, where he lived for four years, during which time he gained his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. He now lives in Cardiff and was previously Deputy President at NUS Wales and has worked as a Policy Officer for RNID Cymru. In his spare time he claims to be a prolific writer and scorer of hundreds of runs in cricket. He writes for Wales Home in a personal capacity.
	Matt Williams is 23 years old and comes from Aberystwyth. He graduated from Aberystwyth University, via McGill University in 2008 with a degree in International Relations and now works . He has been involved in organising and promoting live music in Aberystwyth and Montreal and now attempts to help out with various ventures in Cardiff.
	Paul Williams was brought up on the family farm just outside Llangefni on Ynys Môn. He was educated on the Island at Ysgol Henblas and Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni before leaving to attend University, where he picked up two degrees, including a MA in Japanese. Paul went on to work abroad in Japan and Germany for several years before returning to Ynys Môn to run his own small business. In 2010 he was named as the best political blogger in Wales for his ‘The Druid’ blog. He now lives with his long-term girlfriend just outside Llangefni.
	Victoria Winckler is Director of the Bevan Foundation, a charity that promotes social justice in Wales through research and debate. She has worked extensively on equality and poverty issues at the Foundation and in her previous roles in local government and academia. She is a member of WCVA’s board.
	Leanne Wood is Plaid Cymru AM for the South Wales Central region. A former Probation Officer and Women’s Aid support worker in the valleys, she lives in the Rhondda where she grew up. Leanne is Plaid’s spokesperson on Environment and Sustainability, a member of UNISON, and she chairs the Public and Commercial Services group in the assembly.
	Dennis Yearwood has worked at UWIC, for a shade under two years, prior to that, it was IT consultancy at Swalec, and many others by day and vicarious rock ‘n’ roll thrills after lights out. Outside office hours, you might find him tending his asparagus, propping up a scrum, or sitting in the corner of a local hostelry supping real ale and struggling to complete yesterday’s cryptic crossword.
	Gareth Young (alias Toque) is a member of the Campaign for an English Parliament and convener of What England Means to Me and Anthem4England. He lives in Lewes, in the Sussex Downs, with his wife and daughter.