Membership of PAC is open to all individuals within public affairs and government relations in Wales. We currently have over 200 members drawn from the private, public and voluntary sectors from organisations of every size and specialism. We run a wide range of events throughout the year and members can also take advantage of a range of useful benefits.
The daily management of PAC is the responsibility of the Executive Committee who are elected on an annual basis at the AGM. The current committee consists of:
Chair: Dewi Knight
Occupation and Employer: Policy & Public Affairs, The Open University in Wales
Dewi has led on policy, political relations and media for The OU in Wales since 2008, embedding the University within Welsh higher education and civil society. His policy work has included influencing the first-time introduction of student support equity between full and part-time students and that The OU, for the first time, was publicly recognised as the number one university in Wales for student satisfaction. Before joining The OU, Dewi worked in politics and in advocacy for a leading charity. He wrote the draft legislation that become the first ever private members’ Welsh Law; was a member of the working group that established the first ever code of conduct for PAC and public affairs in Wales; and is a director of the Menter Iaith Abertawe social enterprise. Although he now lives in Cardiff he is a keen supporter of Swansea City Football Club.
Areas of interest/expertise: Politics in general (including coalitions/constitutional issues); Public Affairs industry and conduct; Higher Education, the Media.
Email Address chair@publicaffairscymru.org
Vice Chair and Marketing Outreach: Lia Murphy
Occupation and Employer: Stakeholder Manager, Working Links
A desire to help people to rise above life’s challenges no matter what their start in life has made Working Links the perfect place for Lia to utilise her broad range of skills.
As Stakeholder Manager for Wales, Lia forms part of the management team responsible for tackling social exclusion and worklessness by shaping both the policy, and delivery of employment related contracts, most notably the Work Programme. Lia is responsible for strengthening Working Links’ brand and positioning the company as the fulcrum for social improvement in Wales.
Prior to joining Working Links Lia lived in Aberdeen for 3 years. Her roles there included Head of Marketing for one of North East Scotland’s leading law firms and Marketing and Events Manager for the Aberdeen Chamber of commerce.
Lia has a BA (Hons) in Media and Communications from Glamorgan University and a professional diploma in Marketing. She is a welsh speaker. She occasionally freelances as a Marketing and Events Consultant but when not working she has an active social life which includes horse riding, boxing, travelling, weekends away, music festivals and socialising with friends.
Areas of interest/expertise: Marketing, PR, Public Affairs, Events
Email Address liamurphy@publicaffairscymru.org
Personal Twitter account @liamariesa
Treasurer: Sali Davis
Occupation and Employer: Chief Executive, Optometry Wales
After graduating from Cardiff University with an Honours Degree and Masters in Law Sali worked for the Royal College of GPs in Wales as their Project Development Manager and was part of the team that helped negotiate the new GMS contract for the medical profession in Wales. Following a four year term at the Royal College of GPs Sali then worked for Deloitte and Touche LLP as their UK and Global Practice Review Manager. Sali now works for Optometry Wales as their Chief Executive.
Key areas of interest/expertise: Welsh Politics and Current Affairs
Email Address treasurer@publicaffairscymru.org
Communications Officer: Dominic Hannigan
Occupation and Employer: Press and Communications, University of Wales, Newport
After growing up in West Cornwall and travelling and working throughout Europe, Dominic graduated from Cardiff University in 2007. After working for several years for Jenny Randerson AM and standing in both Assembly and Westminster elections, he took up his current role at the University of Wales, Newport in 2010. Having worked on areas including transport, health, the economy and education during his time in the Assembly, Dominic’s current professional role has developed his expertise in higher education, widening participation and the role of universities in delivering economic growth. He maintains an active interest in Welsh and UK politics and elections.
Key areas of interest/expertise: Welsh Politics and Current Affairs, media, travel
Email Address: dominichannigan@publicaffairscymru.org
Personal Twitter account: @dom_hannigan
Membership Secretary: Bobbie Davies
Occupation and Employer: Consultant, Grayling
Bobbie has been a consultant at the Wales office of Grayling, a public affairs and public relations company with offices across the UK, for over two years. She advises on political strategy and communications for a number of clients, from voluntary organisations to blue chip companies in Wales, and is currently acting head of the Cardiff office. A graduate of Durham Unviersity, before joining Grayling Bobbie worked for RNID Cymru.
Now in her third year as a member of the PAC Exec, having previously served as Vice Chair and Communications Officer, Bobbie brings a wealth of professional and voluntary experience to the organisation.
Areas of interest/expertise: The Public Affairs industry and conduct, including Wales in the context of the UK-wide Public Affairs industry.
Email: bobbiedavies@publicaffairscymru.org
Events Officer: Clare Bath
Occupation and Employer: Public Affairs Officer, Cancer Research UK
After graduating from the University of Plymouth, Clare went travelling for 6 months and undertook several internships and work experience placements with charities and local newspapers. She began working for Mark Isherwood AM in 2004 for three years before moving on to work for Cancer Research UK as the Public Affairs Officer for Wales. This is Clare’s second year as events officer for the PAC Executive. Areas of interest/expertise: Politics, Health, communications, events.
Email Address clarebath@publicaffairscymru.org
Events Officer: Rhodri ab Owen
Occupation and Employer: Political Consultant, Positif Politics
Rhodri ab Owen is a Consultant at Positif Politics and joined the company in January 2010. He is a key part of the Monitoring team, focusing on health and social care. Rhodri therefore has extensive experience and knowledge of the Wales political scene, particularly at the National Assembly level, and is an expert in elections and devolutionary structure. Prior to joining Positif Politics he worked on the compilation of the Wales Yearbook for two years. He graduated from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth in International Politics, where he was awarded the Professor J Mervin Williams Memorial award for the highest mark in Welsh Politics. Following this, he completed a postgraduate degree in Welsh Politics and Society. Areas of interest/expertise: Politics, Health, Social Care, Welsh language
Email Address rhodri@publicaffairscymru.org
Non Portfolio Member: Stephen Brooks
Occupation and Employer: Director, Electoral Reform Society Wales
Stephen Brooks is the Wales director of the Electoral Reform Society. Prior to joining the democracy group, he was head of the Welsh Government’s independent advisory body on sustainable development, SDC Wales. A previous head of Oxfam Cymru, Stephen has also been a director of Fair Trade Wales, and chair of the NGO coalition Stop Climate Chaos. Stephen has also spent time working as a public affairs consultant in the private sector for various retail and pharmaceutical clients.
Email Address: stephenbrooks@publicaffairscymru.org
Constitution, Policies and Annual Reports
The PAC Constitution outlines the aims and purpose of the organisation and specifies how it should be run. It was last amended at the 2010 AGM.
Each PAC Executive Committee produces an annual report which is presented at the AGM. You can view past annual reports here:
PAC members agreed a Welsh Language Policy at the 2010 EGM. The Welsh Language policy was developed by the Executive in conjunction with PAC members, and reflects PAC’s support for bilingualism.
PAC is also currently working on a Code of Conduct for its members. Further details will appear on the website in due course but if you have any queries about this work please contact Michelle Matheron.