Local farmer heads £800m wind energy fund for Wales
Tom Jones OBE has chaired national governing bodies, and has been appointed to shape and govern the fund, developed by Bute Energy but managed as an independent charity that will see the national board of trustees support local groups, charities, and organisations through a grants process. It is designed, the energy giant said, to elevate existing initiatives and spark new ideas that meet the needs of local people.
Mr Jones has chaired major national bodies including the National Lottery Board in Wales and the Millennium Stadium Charitable Trust and has overseen the distribution of tens of millions in charitable funding.
His background spans environmental policy, literature and cultural leadership, youth education, and community development, and he has significant experience designing and administering grant programmes, financial oversight, charity compliance, and supporting community organisations.
Mr Jones is a fluent Welsh speaker with a strong commitment to strengthening communities through renewable energy, drawing on international models and decades of practical experience.
He said: “Rural communities deserve to benefit from their natural rural assets, including renewable energy schemes, in order that they can invest in short and long-term projects and activities that promote their economic, social and cultural wellbeing.”
The newly-appointed board that will support projects and places near the onshore wind energy parks includes: Tom Jones (farmer, and Chair of major national governing bodies from Powys), Catherine Miller (Head of Grants and Income at WCVA from Conwy), Aled Lewis (Director of the Cymru Football Foundation, from Ceredigion), Chris Johnes (CEO of Building Communities Trust, from Cardiff), and appointed representative from the corporate Trustee on behalf of Bute Energy is Catryn Newton (Director of Community Investment and Communications, from Beddau).
According to Bute Energy, the Board of Trustees will have access to robust data and insight shaped by extensive local engagement led by the energy developer’s Community Investment team.
Guided by each energy park’s local community grants panel’s own unique insight, it means that the grant funding will address the communities’ unique needs and aspirations.
The company said that the team has invested significantly in communities across Wales to date, demonstrating a genuine commitment to community legacy building.
Support has included backing world champion boxer and community champion Lauren Price, funding women’s football and netball teams, partnering with Dragons RFC to deliver activities for children and older people, and helping Aber Valley Male Voice Choir elevate their profile through a new website delivered as part of the renewable energy firm’s social value programme.
Bute Energy added that the team has also supported several Young Farmer Clubs to help them deliver key events in their annual calendar, and recently created a dedicated Youth Advisory board which they say is “testament to the long-term commitment and drive to represent the aspirations of future generations”.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|