Meet The Team

Simon developed the initial Cook24 project, which led to the creation of Cegin y Bobl. Named Food Ambassador for Wales in 2010, Simon is a key member of Food Policy Alliance Cymru and advises Government on food policy. He has run award-winning restaurants in Wales for over 30 years, was former Editor of the AA Restaurant Guide, and regularly appears on BBC, Channel 4, and other media. Simon also served as Restaurant Consultant to Gordon Ramsay for all UK episodes of Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares.

Katy has extensive experience from her role as Coordinator of Cook24, where she managed the project from start to finish. During this time, she built strong relationships with schools and communities across Carmarthenshire, gaining a deep understanding of community needs and how collaboration can create real impact. Prior to this, Katy worked in various areas of hospitality globally, managing teams and adapting to diverse environments, and has a genuine passion for people and food.

Carwyn is a bestselling author on food and farming in Wales and a regular broadcaster on BBC and S4C. He writes for outlets like nation.cymru, The Guardian, and Countryfile. With over 15 years in charity governance, he supports 300 Baptist churches in Wales through the Baptist Union. Carwyn chairs Carmarthenshire’s Food Partnership, Bwyd Sir Gâr, is on the advisory panel for Food Sense Wales, and co-founded Cegin y Bobl. He also helped establish the national collection of Welsh apple varieties at the National Botanic Garden of Wales.

Vicky, an MSc marketer with a passion for building sustainable brands, has extensive experience in food and hospitality, starting with an internship at E5 Bakery in Shoreditch in 2011. After classical chef training at Ashburton Cookery School, she ran her own food business, earning a spot in the Good Food Guide. Vicky is committed to working with purpose-driven brands and third-sector organizations, using marketing as a tool for sustainable change. "Working with Cegin y Bobl has strengthened my commitment to creating impact through food and the environment," she says.

Louise is an ACCA-qualified accountant with over 20 years of senior management experience. She spent 12 years in the NHS, rising to Assistant Director of Finance, and 10 years in the charity sector as Head of Finance for the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society and the National Botanic Garden of Wales. Louise has a strong track record in financial leadership and change management, with additional experience in insurance, private practice, banking, construction, and manufacturing.

Naomi specializes in fundraising and project management. With a master's degree in international development, she has spent 10 years working for small to medium non-profits, implementing successful fundraising strategies for international development and environmental charities. In 2020, Naomi returned to Pembrokeshire, started a market gardening business, and has since coordinated biodiversity and community projects while continuing to fundraise for local organizations.

Nessie is passionate about people, food, farming, agroecology and seed sovereignty. She lives on an organic farm in Wales and is Director of the Global Diversity Foundation. She has worked in Indonesia, India, Japan and within Europe on local and Indigenous communities’ rights to land for growing food and ancestral practices. She has a degree in Archaeology and Study of Religions with Hindi from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). Nessie is creator of The Milking Parlour: an artistic discourse exploring our human relationship to food and agriculture and creator of the Patchwork of Belonging: a collaborative, mobile artwork which captures the ways we find belonging and connection to land, place and the food we grow and eat. Nessie is a Spiritual Ecology Fellow of St Ethelburga’s Centre for Peace and Reconciliation and was Managing Editor for Biodiversity – a Journal of Life on Earth for over a decade.

Fiona has over 20 years experience as a public health professional working for the NHS in a variety of roles and settings across the South West of England. Prior to her career in the NHS, Fiona gained valuable experience working in the private sector, specialising in communications and market research.  Fiona holds an MBA (marketing), an MSc in public health, and was awarded an MBE for services to public health. In 2018 Fiona moved to West Wales and lives in St Dogmaels near Cardigan with her husband, who was born on a nearby farm in Pembrokeshire. She is actively involved with grassroots campaigns within her local community. Fiona has a lifelong interest in creating increased opportunities for community health and wellbeing and reducing health inequalities and she hopes to help drive increased access to healthy food and the skill and confidence to cook it through her contribution to Cegin Y Bobl.

Rhian Medi is has extensive experience in driving campaigns from concept to Parliamentary success. Specialising in Government affairs, brand development, and strategic planning, she excels at raising issues to the political agenda and securing media attention. Known for her ability to navigate complex legislative processes and build key relationships, Rhian is a passionate advocate who thrives both independently and as a team player. She also has strong mentoring skills and a wealth of experience in broadcast media and community engagement.

Elizabeth Thomas is an experienced environmental lawyer and senior leader, with a strong track record of advising CEOs and boards. She has spent over 15 years at Thomson Reuters Practical Law, where she directed the Environment, Energy, and Construction practice. Prior to that, Elizabeth held senior roles at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Allen & Overy, contributing to the growth of their environmental law practices. Elizabeth is now focused on developing a trustee portfolio with organisations that share her values. She also serves as a trustee for the Barbican Playgroup charity and has made significant contributions to the Stroke Association, advocating for families affected by child stroke. Outside of her professional life, Elizabeth enjoys cooking, literature, music, and walking the coast.

Claire Hieatt is a business and marketing specialist based in Cardigan. Alongside her husband, David Hieatt, she co-founded Hiut Denim Co. in 2011, aiming to revive the town's historic denim industry by bringing manufacturing jobs back to the area. Previously, in 1995, they launched Howies, an eco-friendly clothing label, which was later acquired by Timberland in 2006. In addition to their business ventures, Claire and David established The Do Lectures, an annual event that brings together innovators and thinkers to share ideas and inspire action. Through these endeavours, Claire has demonstrated a strong commitment to marketing, advertising, and brand management, all while contributing significantly to the local community in Cardigan.