World Champion sailor, Round the World Yachtsman, and co author of Boat to Boardroom
Andrew's interest in all things outdoors started at the tender age of five, when his grandfather showed him how to collect periwinkles and mussels from the rock pools close to Mumbles. His father used to take him fishing off the Gower Coast for mackerel and sea bass from an ancient and slightly leaky Canvas and Wood Kayak. Those early experiences sowed the seed of his enthusiasm for wilderness living skills and outdoor pursuits.
Anthony is a 58 year old qualified solicitor living in Wales. He gained his law degree at Aberystwyth University.
Highly popular television presenter, Arfon Haines Davies has been one of ITV Wales’ main presenters for over 30 years.
Arfon was, for very many years one of the main news presenters on HTV. He has also presented Quizzes; Documentaries; Concerts; and Sports programmes and can currently be seen on the long running archive series "Never to be Forgotten".
Arfon is equally at ease with English or Welsh broadcasting and has presented many Welsh language programmes on S4C including ‘Pacio’; ‘Penblwydd Hapus’; ‘Cledrau Coll’ and, most recently, ‘Pws’.
Ashleigh Crowter is a sports reporter and presenter for BBC ‘Wales Today’, Wales’ flagship television news programme. He is an accomplished broadcaster and witty speaker and an ideal host for conferences and events.
Ashleigh’s working brief is to cover the best stories in Welsh sport – from Grand Slam champions to grassroots heroes. Over the last 13 years, Ashleigh has been close to the biggest sporting events in Wales and overseas.
He was on the finishing line at the Great Wall of China when Nicole Cooke set Welsh athletes on the way to a record-breaking medal haul at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He’s also reported from the historic Cardiff Ashes test, two Six Nations Grand Slams and also covered the nine year build-up to the 2010 Ryder Cup.
Swansea born Brian was educated at Gowerton Boys Grammar School and made his acting debut at the age of 15.
Brian trained for the stage at the Leatherhead Repertory Theatre, Surrey with the well known drama coach, Marion Naylor. He appeared in numerous plays, musicals and tours and his performance in 'The Diary of Anne Frank' won him the Best Supporting Actor at the International Drama Festival, the same year as his performance as Romeo in 'Romeo and Juliet' won him the Richard Burton Trophy.
Originally from Aberaeron, Ceredigion, Chris started his career as a cameraman, working all over Wales, Europe and the world for clients as diverse as BBC, S4C, The weather channel, Malaysian TV, ZDF and many many more. He has also been responsible for filming and directing a number of different programmes and promotions for S4C and various and numerous clients including WTN, ZDF, Saudi TV, Welsh Tourist Board, Welsh language board, Ty Hafan, WWF, Welsh Assembly, Taste of Wales, Motor Neurone Disease Association, NCH, Chinese Tourism board and the Welsh National Opera.
Television presenter Chris Roberts has extensive experience in the Broadcast industry. Chris presented on Sky News for twelve years - the last seven as a mainline presenter. Prior to that Chris was a reporter in the field and studio presenter for ITN and BBC Radio. Chris delivered first-hand coverage of many of the biggest breaking news stories in recent history including the fall of the Berlin Wall, conflicts in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, 9/11 in New York, the Asian tsunami, and a wide variety of home news events from politics to pop music.
Without a doubt one of the greatest athletes that Great Britain has ever produced, Colin Jackson called time on his outstanding athletics career in front of an adoring home crowd at the World Indoor Championships in Birmingham in 2003. After more than a decade spent at the very pinnacle of his sport, it was a fitting end to a glittering career.
110m hurdler Colin ranked in the world top 10 for 16 years, was World No.1 from 1992-1994 and, for the last 7 years of his career, was never out of the world's top 3 and since setting a European junior record of 13.44 in 1986, went on to set 7 European, 8 Commonwealth and 9 UK records at 110mh. Colin still holds the World Record over 60mh indoors (7.30, Sindelfingen 1994) and, has only recently been robbed of his 13years World Record over 110mh outdoors (12.91, World Title, Stuttgart 1993).
Derek Brockway is Welsh born and bred and his interest in the weather began as a young boy growing up in Barry during the long, hot summer of 1976. He left school in 1986 and joined the Met Office, based mainly at Cardiff Weather Centre but with spells observing the weather at Cardiff Airport, Birmingham Airport and eight months in the Falkland Islands. He qualified as a forecaster in 1995 and was posted to Birmingham Weather Centre, broadcasting on several BBC Radio stations across the Midlands.
In December 1995 Derek moved to London and work in the world of television preparing the ITV National Weather and Channel 4 weather. He has also broadcast on GMTV's 'The Sunday Programme'.
Dr Paul Thomas is one of those rare speakers and academics who are placed not only at the cutting edge knowledge and company development but has spent many years managing companies in both private and public services. He has also spent many months/years overseas consulting in India, China, Malaysia, Pakistan and parts of Europe, gaining significant experience in development and implementation of leadership within varying cultural environments.
Frank Hennessy is one of Wales' best loved and most popular television and radio presenters. Frank has had his own BBC radio programme for very many years and has, over the last few years, been travelling all over the world recording television programmes exploring the background of music.
Frank is one of Wales' most prolific singer/songwriters. His musical career has taken him to every corner of the British Isles and even as far away as New Orleans, Boston and Newfoundland.
Geoff Burch is considered to be Europe's most exciting business speaker and writer. A phenomenon who delights audiences throughout the world, Geoff is a remarkable speaker whose unique and refreshing outlook on all manner of business topics has made his name into a global brand and himself into someone who is constantly in demand for his memorable and uplifting presentations. His credentials are impressive, working extensively with the world's major blue chip companies to motivate and inspire their people and as a regular contributor on television and radio.
Former Governor of HM Prison Belmarsh , the highest security prison in UK, former Governor of Cardiff prison and Drake Hall women's prison and recently retired Area Manager for all public sector prisons in Wales.
Geoff Hughes trained as a teacher and taught for 9 years in comprehensive schools and a secure unit for disaffected adolescent boys.
Having studied drama at Aberystwyth and Oxford, Geraint joined BBC Wales as an announcer and newsreader for Radio Cymru immediately after graduating in 1996. He joined the BBC Radio Wales team of announcers in 1998 and still works for both networks.
Graham formed part of the legendary 'Pontypool Front Row' with his colleagues Bobby Windsor and Charlie Faulkner, or 'The Viet Gwent' as Max Boyce dubbed them.
He went on to play in 2 Grand Slams and won 4 consecutive Triple Crowns.
His big TV break came in 1997 when BBC Wales approached him to work on a new series called 'Visions of Snowdonia' which followed the lives of six people living and working on the slopes of the country's highest mountain. He was offered a second series - this time, Iolo was 'Birdman' and it's a name that has stuck.
Born on 5th January 1974; His initial athletics breakthrough came at the "World Junior Championships" in 1992, as part of the British 4x400m relay team, in which they won 5th place. In 1993, Iwan attended West London Institute of Higher Education, studying Sports Science and Geography. Working extremely hard, Iwan managed to juggle his studies and training which paid off, in 1994 took part in the "Commonwealth Games" 400 metres, setting a Welsh Record where he reached the semi-finals, representing Wales.
Jamie's broadcasting career began in London. He quickly became one of the UK's most familiar voices reading the shipping forecast, the news and Today in Parliament on BBC Radio Four. He recently returned to his roots at Radio Three to narrate Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf.
Jason is one of the most popular broadcasters and can also be heard on BBC Radio Wales. He has presented Good Morning Wales and is a team captain on the light hearted sports quiz Extra Time.
Jonathan has been the main news anchor for ITV Wales for more than a decade and is a very familiar face for Welsh viewers. With over fifteen years of broadcasting experience he is a highly accomplished live performer both in the studio and on location.
Jonathan is also an award winning journalist and in 2001 he was named Welsh Journalist of the Year for his work with the flagship news programme 'Wales Tonight' and the current affairs series 'Wales This Week'.
Kevin is Wales' most successful residential landlord. When you meet him and hear his fascinating story, not only will you be bowled over by his knowledge and enthusiasm for life and the property industry but you will find his 'rags to riches' story rather larger than life. Kevin, a property guru, social entrepreneur and trainer is the proud owner of 267 properties throughout Wales, worth in excess of £29 million.
Whilst Kevin is recognised as one of Wales' most popular entertainment personalities, he originally trained at London Bible College for the Christian Ministry and spent time as an ordained minister in Liverpool. Birkenhead, Colwyn Bay and his home city of Swansea before returning to the theatre and radio.
Whatever your occasion, Mark is perfect with his witty opera tales and insightful anecdotes of what really happens backstage! An evening with Mark will take you on an emotional journey, making you laugh, cry and leaving you breathless with his heartfelt renditions of traditional classics like Myfanwy & Some Enchanted Evening.
His career took him via Radio Leicester to Slough, where he set up a district office for Radio Berkshire.
He was broadcast journalist for two years at BBC Spotlight in Plymouth and in 1995, became the Health Correspondent for the West of England.
Mike is a West End singer and award winning comic who leaves his audiences spellbound after his many appearances all over the world. He rarely leaves the stage without a standing ovation.
Mike won the 'Stage Comedy Newcomer of the Year' at the British Comedy Awards in 1990 and he has been thrilling audiences worldwide with his brilliant performances ever since. He has also appeared in 'high profile' pantomimes every year since 1988.
He is a Cabinet Office Social Enterprise Ambassador, a Director of the Social enterprise Coalition and in 2008 received the Good Director for Enterprise honour award from the Institute of Directors.
Nigel retired from athletics in 1992 to pursue a second sports career as a rugby union player with Cardiff RFC. In his first season he was capped for Wales at full international level and went on to accrue 17 full international caps.
Niva International UK Ltd has grown rapidly since its inception in 2005 and has achieved a 200% growth rate each year since it began trading.
Owain trained at the National Youth Theatre of Wales & Royal Academy of Music, London.
Owain, originally from Carmarthen, gained a law degree from Warwick University before graduating from the RAM with distinction. He was also awarded a DipRAM for outstanding public performance, as well as the Toni V. Fell Prize for speech and song, awarded to him by Joel Fram and Ben Whiteley.
Owain can be heard on the Les Misérables Live! - Dream the Dream recording (Feuilly), and can be seen on the Les Misérables In Concert at the O2 - The 25th Anniversary DVD (Feuilly) and on the T-Mobile 'Welcome Home' commercials filmed at Heathrow Airport.
Owen was born in Merthyr Tydfil and grew up in the South Wales valleys. He started his career in show business as a bass guitarist and lead singer with pop group 'The Bystanders' who had hits in the 60s on the Pye label.
When asked to describe Phil Bennett, one rugby author wrote: "There is a word in Spanish which is used when other superlatives are deemed inadequate - 'Duendne'. It has no equivalent in English or Welsh but it accurately describes that doyen of Welsh Rugby, Phil Bennett. He was a rugby player whose talents defy definition; a mercurial mix of the impressive, the unexpected and dare I say, the superhuman!"
His strong sporting background as a former top class welsh rugby player with Newport RFC in the 1980's together with his role as a mirthful radio presenter and sports commentator for BBC Wales radio and television have enabled him to develop a wide variety of material.
Piers Bramhall was the face of a multi-million pound advertising campaign "We Want Piers Bramhall" for Welsh Tourism.
Professor Rhys first became interested in the economics of the motor industry when preparing a thesis on the "Economics of the British Commercial Vehicle Industry" whilst at the University of Birmingham in 1963-5. This was followed by a book "The Motor Industry: an Economic Survey" and numerous articles on a wide variety of economic topics, including the motor industry and transport economics.
Rory's on-screen career began as reporter for 'Wales Today' in Cardiff, from where he moved to London as a reporter on 'Breakfast Time'. He quickly transferred to business coverage, working across the BBC's output from the 'Money Programme' to 'Newsnight', from the 'Today' programme to the 'Ten O Clock News'. The stories he has covered range from Black Wednesday and the Maxwell trial to the dot com bubble and the rise of Google.
Ross is a musical director, conductor, pianist, singer and vocal coach who works in theatre, television and radio.
Roy has also had a highly successful career in television - Network BBC and S4C - working both in the medium of Welsh and English. He has been presenter on a diet series with Barbara Dickson and a three times a week magazine programme.
Sean's story is one of seizing opportunities, from when he got his initial break on BBC Wales, to doing the 10 O'Clock News alongside Moira Stewart at short notice because the regular sport presenter was suddenly taken ill.
Wynne Evans was born in Carmarthen, South Wales and studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and the National Opera Studio, London.