The Board of Governors

​Member of: Remuneration Committee, and Strategic Planning & Performance Committee

John began his career in HR before going on to lead companies in the employment, training, economic development sectors. His leaderships roles include work at the Training and Enterprise Council (South East Wales), the Development Board for Rural Wales, and as Chief Executive of ACAS.

Also having experience as a Non-Executive Director for a range of private, public and not-for-profit organisations, and with a passion for employment, education, and organisational development, John shared his passion further having been on the Board of the University of West London for nine years, as well as the University of Reading and Cardiff and Vale College.

John was appointed Chair from 1 August 2021 and said "The resilience and innovation shown by staff and students at Cardiff Metropolitan during these unprecedented times is nothing short of remarkable and I am looking forward to working with the Vice-Chancellor and her Executive Team as we begin to emerge from the pandemic and face the challenges of a post -Covid world."

Memberships, qualifications, and recognition: 

• CBE in the 2013 Queen's Birthday Honours
  

• Doctorate of Literature (University of West London)
  

• Chartered Manager and Companion
  

 

Member of: Audit Committee

As Managing Partner of Hugh James from 1999 to 2011 and Chief Executive of Hugh James Involegal LLP from 2011 to the present day, Matthew has had a notable legal career, building up a significant client base, and transforming the business to become more digital. Establishing a Hugh James Training Academy, Matthew has developed relationships with various educational institutions in city to provide bespoke training.

Recently appointed to the Cardiff Capital Region Business Council Board, Matthew will represent the business interests of the city whilst the region is being developed.

Matthew likes to achieve consensus where possible, and his legal background will be of significant value as a governor at Cardiff Met.

Memberships, qualifications, and recognition:

• LLB Law (UWIST Cardiff)
  
• Dreams and Wishes Ambassador and Governance Advisor
  

 

Peter was born in Cardiff and his early years were spent in Caerphilly. His family moved to Penarth in the 1970s where he went to School then onto an apprenticeship in the motor vehicle sector. He served in the Royal Air Force from 1984 as an Aircraft Technician for 9 years, joining the Civil Service to train Civ​ilian Apprentices upon his discharge

During his initial years with the Civil Service he returned to his studies, on a part time basis, culminating with an MA Ed from The University of Wales. This was key in Peter's move into the field of Human Resources and appointment to the Senior Civil Service.

Peter has 10 Years Executive experience at Borad level within a Trading Fund Agency of the Ministry of Defence and 20 years with the Welsh Government. He is currently a Non-Executive Member of the Church in Wales Representative Body and Chairs its Human Resources Committee.

The areas where Peter may be able to help and provide advice are primarily around HR and Estates the changing workplace, and linkages with the UK Government and Devolved Administrations.

Memberships, qualifications, and recognition:

• MA Ed (University of Wales)
• ​Chartered Fellow of the CIPD

 

Menai is a Chartered Director, consultant and experienced social sector Chief Executive and Non-Executive Director. 

As well as previously being Chief Executive of a UK-wide health charity, The Pituitary Foundation, Menai holds a variety of non-executive director and advisory roles, including as an Independent Adviser to the Welsh Parliament (Senedd) Commission and Trustee of Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) and Race Council Cymru. Additionally, until recently Menai held positions with Samaritans Cymru, the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO) and Daring to Dream.  

Menai has 20 years of experience across many different disciplines in the voluntary sector and is a fluent Welsh speaker.  

Holding the belief that higher education makes a fundamentally important difference to individuals, the economy and society, and committed to our values and purpose, Menai is a passionate member of the Board.   

Memberships, qualifications, and recognition:   

• Chartered Director (2020) 
  
• LLB Law Degree (2002)

• Ambassador for the Institute of Directors Wales 

• Fellow of the Institute of Directors 
  

• Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA)
  

• Fellow of the Institute of Welsh Affairs
  

 

​Member of: Audit Committee

Scott spent most of his career in the hospitality sector, working with businesses such as Bass, Carlsberg, and Century Inns, as well as being the Chief Executive of SA Brain for 17 years, overseeing huge change for the business.

Scott has also sat on various boards, in the past being Chair of CBI for Wales; Wales Commissioner to the UK Commission for Employment and Skills; and has been part of the British Beer & Pub Association. 

Having a diverse level of high-profile roles, Scott offers broad and practical knowledge as an Governor.

Memberships, qualifications, and recognition:

• Economics and Accounting (Reading University)
  
• Chair of Cardiff Business Club
• Chair of Transport for Wales
  

 

Member of: Resources Committee, and Governance & Nominations Committee

David is currently a Director of Airbus Endeavr and an owner of an international freight services business, and also brings a background in both the private and public sector, software, and management consultancy. 

Whilst in the public sector, David has been in a variety of senior positions within the Welsh Government, as well as creating and leading Digital Wales and then finding and serving as CEO of Innovation Point.

Impressed by Cardiff Met's strength of purpose and potential, David contributes his knowledge and skills as governor, towards our ambitious goals in technology, innovation and entrepreneurship. 

Memberships, qualifications, and recognition:

• Board member of Hafod
  
• Representative of the Welsh Government's interests in the Alacrity Foundation
  

 

Member of: Strategic Planning & Performance Committee

A Senior Management Consultant at Accenture since 2012, Roisin provides strategic direction to c-suites, and will often focus on difficult programmes of work​ including digital transformation or inclusion, diversity, and behavioural measures to improve and make an organisation more impactful.

Passionate about getting more women into in tech, Roisin regularly speaks at events and schools to advocate the area.

Rosin is eager to lend her expertise as a governor, feeling the vision and values of CMU resonate with her. Roisin finds enjoyment in helping others and supporting the next generation to drive a sustainable economy.

Memberships, qualifications, and recognition:

• BSc Economics & European Politics (University of Birmingham)
• Part of PICTFOR (The Parliamentary Internet, Communications and Technology Forum) via DevelopHer
• We are the City Tech Women Top 50 Women winner 2017

Karen has a wealth of experience in public sector, currently working at Lewisham Council as Interim Head of Economy and Partnerships, as well as holding previous experience at Croydon Council and past roles such as a governor at a primary school and on business improvement district boards.

With a wealth of experience in community and supporting the local population, Karen has worked with a variety of bodies to innovate and develop city regions. Karen is particularly interested in Cardiff Met's focus on enterprise, entrepreneurship, and innovation, feeling her own passions and interests would be used well as a governor.

Memberships, qualifications, and recognition: 

• BSc Business Economics (Cardiff University)
• Prosperity through Partnership Award winner 2020
  

 

Member of: Governance & Nominations Committee, and Strategic Planning & Performance Committee

Paul is currently the Chief Executive of Monmouthshire County Council, where he has been for over 10 years. However, Paul's public sector experience doesn't stop there, he's also Innovation and Business Engagement lead for the Cardiff Capital Region, Solace Wales lead for Economy and Digital, and a Board Member of SRS (wales), you can also see more below.

As well as offering his advice and knowledge in the boardroom, Paul also teaches as a visiting Professor at Cardiff University.

Paul brings a breadth of experience in in a variety of settings, from educational to entrepreneurial to public sector. 

Memberships, qualifications, and recognition: 

• Clerk to the Lord Lieutenancy of Gwent 

• Member of Wales Government Brexit Advisory Panel 

• Member of Wales Government Digital Advisory Panel 

• Chair of the Monmouthshire Public Service Board 
  

 

​Member of: Remuneration Committee

With experience in the UK and overseas, Chris has developed a significant skillset in HR within ExxonMobil, Shell, and E.on-Npower. Leading in change within culture and behaviour, Chris has built relationships on trust and credibility throughout the organisations he's been part of.

Chris has had a number of NED and Executive roles, notably he is currently Chair of the Doctors and Dentists Pay Review Body and Chief HR and People Officer at E.on-Npower.

Chris is keen to be part of a board in a sector that is important to him, hoping to bring his experience in commercial organisations with a focus on HR and change.

Memberships, qualifications, and recognition:

• MA Organisation Behaviour and Analytics (Lancaster University)
• Postgraduate Diploma in HR Management (Cardiff University)
• BA Politics (University of Exeter)
  

​​​

Dan Flaherty is the 2024-25 Cardiff Met SU president, having joined the university in 2022 to study Business (finance) MBA.

Dan represented the Men’s basketball club for the past two seasons, taking part in the promotion campaign for both the BUCS Men’s 1st team into the Premier Division and the National League Men's side.

As an international student having spent a significant amount of time on both Llandaff and Cyncoed campuses, Dan has developed a comprehensive perspective on the student experience at Cardiff Met. Dan plans to leverage this stance by promoting change on both campuses led by the collective student voice and is passionate and promoting opportunities for all students, despite their varying interests and priorities.

His key initiatives are to continue building the budget to adequately support SU Sport teams and SU Societies, ease the financial burden of transportation related expenses, and create additional student spaces on both campuses to enhance the social experience.

Rewathi Viswanatham is an MSc International Business student and the SU Vice President Education for 2024/2025 at Cardiff Met. Having been re-elected after serving as Vice President in 2023/2024, Rewathi is honoured to continue representing the student body.

Her primary focus is ensuring that all Cardiff Met students are heard and their needs are met. During her first term, she actively worked on initiat​ives in areas such as academic concerns, student activities, transport, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, housing, and addressing the cost-of-living crisis.

In her current role as an Education Officer, she remains dedicated to building on these efforts, collaborating with student representatives, participating in key committees, and driving initiatives that enhance the student experience. She is also committed to empowering students, ensuring their time at Cardiff Met is both fulfilling and impactful.