NDCWales welcomes new Trustees to help spearhead next bold chapter National Dance Company Wales (NDCWales) is delighted to announce the appointment of five new Trustees to its Board. Ceri Ulyatt, Gentiana Roarson, Hefin Archer-Williams, Eluned Owen and Jamie Jenkins join the Board, each bringing unique professional expertise, lived experience, perspectives and a shared passion for dance and creativity in Wales. Their collective knowledge spans global finance, data and research, law, education and community engagement, artist development, performance and choreography, as well as leadership across the arts and public sectors. Together, the NDCWales Board represents something special: a convergence of voices, perspectives and experiences united by a belief in the power of dance to connect, challenge and inspire. They embody diversity in every sense, of profession, background, age, ethnicity, gender, and perspectives. With a shared commitment to the transformative power of the arts, they will help guide NDCWales into its next bold chapter, shaping a future that is impactful, sustainable, inclusive and proudly rooted in Wales, while looking confidently out to the world. Our New Trustees Ceri UlyattAn award-winning and transformative finance leader with over 25 years of international experience, Ceri brings exceptional strategic, financial and governance expertise to the Board. As Global Head of Tax & Corporate Treasury, she leads a multinational team with empathy and vision, driving performance through collaboration and accountability. Her career has been defined by a commitment to mentoring and inclusive leadership, recognised by her 2025 Tolley’s Taxation Tax Mentor of the Year award. A former school governor and passionate supporter of the arts, Ceri is also a proud dance mum, inspired by her daughter’s own creative journey. “My multifaceted career reflects a deep commitment to excellence, both in the financial sector and now the arts. I look forward to leveraging my skills and experiences to support NDCWales in fostering a vibrant community that empowers artistic expression and inspires future talents.” Gentiana RoarsonA research and data leader with expertise across psychology, cybernetics and automation, Gentiana is Head of Business Surveys R&D at the Office for National Statistics. Her work connects innovation, ethics and technology to improve decision-making for public good. A lifelong arts enthusiast, she has followed NDCWales’ work with admiration for its ability to move and provoke audiences. Her analytical mind and creative heart make her a powerful advocate for how data and insight can strengthen cultural impact. “Over the years, I’ve seen first-hand how NDCWales expertly crafts visual storylines through movement, immersing audiences of all ages in unexpected and captivating experiences. I’m thrilled to be part of that story.” Hefin Archer-WilliamsAs Head of HCR Law’s Cardiff Office, Hefin Archer-Williams is a highly respected legal professional and known for his people-first approach and commitment to excellence. Since establishing the Cardiff office in 2020, he has overseen its growth from a team of five to over seventy, nurturing a culture of ambition, collaboration and integrity. Hefin has also held positions across multiple national and international sporting bodies, including Cricket England and Wales, Basketball, Badminton, Shooting, Table Tennis and Commonwealth Games Wales, combining his legal expertise with a passion for teamwork and community. A proud Welshman with a deep appreciation for culture, music and the arts, Hefin joins NDCWales to contribute his governance experience, balanced judgement and belief in the power of creativity to connect and inspire. “Wales has an extraordinary cultural heartbeat, and I’m proud to play a part in supporting one of its leading creative organisations. Dance, like sport, brings people together through passion, discipline and shared experience. I’m excited to help NDCWales continue to grow with ambition, confidence and integrity.” Eluned OwenA dancer, choreographer and teacher from Aberystwyth, Eluned represents the next generation of Welsh artists shaping the future of dance. Having trained at the University of Winchester and as an NDCWales Young Associate, she now focuses on inclusive teaching and creating accessible spaces for all dancers to thrive. Her choreography, including Minlliw with Cwmni Theatr Arad Goch, has already featured at festivals such as Agor Drysau. As a native Welsh speaker, Eluned brings vital lived experience to the Board, helping to deepen NDCWales’ connection with Welsh language and culture. “As a trustee, I’m excited to keep a connection alive between the contemporary dance sphere and the Welsh language and culture. I’m drawn to take on this role for the good of Welsh dancers and the wider sector of the Welsh arts.” Jamie Jenkins Jamie is an influential figure in Wales’ dance landscape, combining experience as a performer, educator, producer and advocate. His professional journey began at Stella Mann College and the London Contemporary Dance School, followed by a PGCE at Aberystwyth University, blending artistic excellence with a deep commitment to education. After an international performing career spanning contemporary dance, musical theatre and television, Jamie moved into leadership roles that have shaped dance participation and learning across Wales. As Head of Dance and Producer for National Youth Arts Wales, he designs and delivers programmes that nurture the next generation of Welsh dance artists, connecting them with leading choreographers and creating pathways into professional careers. Jamie’s influence extends across the wider sector. He serves as a Dance Facilitator for the Arts Council of Wales, Board Member for the National Arts and Education Network for Wales, and Dance Advisor to organisations including The International Eisteddfod. Through these roles, he champions access, opportunity and creative excellence, ensuring that dance continues to thrive in education, communities and professional practice alike. “Dance has given me everything, purpose, community and the chance to see young people grow in confidence and creativity. I’m passionate about making sure everyone in Wales can access high-quality dance experiences, wherever they live and whatever their background. Joining NDCWales is an exciting opportunity to help strengthen those connections and celebrate the power of movement to change lives.” Our Board The appointments of Ceri, Eluned, Gentiana, Jamie and Hefin further strengthen a Board that brings together a remarkable range of experience. Current Trustees include Cathryne Allen, Joanna Davies, Emma Flatley, Krystal Lowe, Tupac Martir, Stacey Rainbow (Oliver) and Chair of the Board, Alison Thorne. Alison said: “I’m thrilled to welcome our new Trustees, whose experience and energy will help shape the next chapter of NDCWales. They bring not only professional excellence but a deep connection to Wales, and to dance as a powerful force for change. Together with our existing Board and team, they will help us continue to grow a company that moves people in every sense.”She continued: “We also extend our gratitude to William James, who steps down in November after completing his six-year term, and Giovanni Basiletti, who concluded his tenure in August. Both have made significant contributions to the company’s growth and ambition, and we thank them sincerely for their service and passion.” A New Era for NDCWales 2025 marks a new era for the company, not only as we welcome new appointments to the Board but also as Bakani Pick-Up takes up their position of Artistic Director (& Joint CEO). It is a year that signals fresh ideas, bold ambition and renewed purpose, as we continue to build on more than four decades of creativity and impact. As one of Wales’ national arts organisations, we are proud to represent the nation on stages across Wales, the UK and the world, championing the talent, language and imagination that make Wales so distinctive. Our story is rooted in pioneering work from bold commissions with Welsh and Wales-based artists to international collaborations that connect local audiences with global creatives and practitioners. But our work extends far beyond the stage. We create opportunities for aspiring, developing and professional artists to grow from taking class with our company dancers and accessing free studio space, to collaborating on research projects and receiving dedicated creative support. We champion the next generation through our Young Associates programme and our work with the national curriculum, create greater access to dance and the arts through Above & Beyond with communities in Penrhys, and believe strongly in the power of dance for health and wellbeing through pioneering projects such as Dance for Parkinson’s. Behind the scenes, we have been sharpening our focus for the years ahead. We are exploring how to strengthen our role and deepen our impact by building stronger networks, creating more opportunities for artists and audiences, and ensuring that dance in Wales continues to thrive locally, nationally and internationally. This moment marks both reflection and renewal: an opportunity to celebrate what we have achieved and to define what comes next for a company that has never stopped moving forward. This new chapter in our story is bold, relevant and far-reaching. With a dynamic Board, visionary leadership and a passionate team, our future is bright, inclusive and full of possibility. Discover more about our full Board of Trustees here