Our Trustees

Leighton became a Trustee at the Cardiff City FC Foundation in September 2016. His lead responsibilities and expertise include public services, education, and innovation. Leighton is a Professor of Practice in Public Service Leadership and Innovation at Cardiff Business School. He was a former Minister for Education and Skills and Minister for Public Services in Carwyn Jones' Welsh Labour Governments.

Steve became a Trustee at the Cardiff City FC Foundation in August 2016 and was appointed Vice-Chair later that year. Steve’s lead responsibilities and expertise include the relationship with Cardiff City FC, facilities, and health and safety. Steve is also a Director at Cardiff City FC and has a long association with the football club. He is Managing Director at CMB Engineering Limited, a Governor at Eastern High School, and a Trustee of Llanrumney Hall.

Ken became a Trustee at the Cardiff City FC Foundation in August 2016. Ken's lead responsibilities for the Foundation and expertise include finance, operations, and the relationship with Cardiff City FC. Ken is Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer at Cardiff City Football Club. He is also Executive Director at H.R Owen PLC and Cardiff City House of Sport and Managing Director at KV Kortrijk, a professional football team in Belgium.

Hywel joined the Cardiff City FC Community Foundation as a Trustee in October 2018. Hywel's lead responsibilities and area of expertise include children’s rights, social care, and civil service. Hywel was Head of Public Affairs for the Children’s Commissioner for Wales, responsible for implementing a comprehensive strategy influencing the Welsh Government’s programme for government to safeguard children’s rights. As Social Care Wales’ current Assistant Director of Regulation, Hywel leads on the delivery of a high-performing regulatory framework aiming to provide public confidence in the social care workforce.

Katie joined Cardiff City FC Foundation as a Trustee in October 2018. Katie's lead responsibilities and areas of expertise include working within the third sector over the past 10 years, successfully influencing Welsh policy, legislation and practice in housing, health and education.

Chris became a trustee at the Cardiff City FC Foundation in June 2017. Chris' lead responsibilities and expertise include finance. Chris is a member of the Finance, Audit and Risk Sub Committee. Chris is a Fellow of the institute of chartered Accountants in England and Wales, a member of the Expert Witness Institute and also of The Academy of Experts.

Shikala became a Trustee at the Cardiff City FC Foundation in February 2016. Shikala's lead responsibilities and expertise include workforce development and continuous improvement. Shikala has worked in both the Public and Private Sectors including FTSE 100 blue-chip organisations. Shikala’s expertise includes strategic planning and management of re-engineering business processes through major organisational restructuring, project management, and problem-solving. She currently works in NHS Wales.

Kerys joined the Cardiff City FC Foundation as a Trustee in October 2018. Kerys is an experienced professional fundraiser, having worked in the charitable sector at a senior level for almost 15 years. Kerys is currently Head of Fundraising at Wales’ people and homes charity, Shelter Cymru, and Chair of the Third Sector Skills Project Panel (Wales) as well as a Parent Governor at Welsh-medium primary school, Ysgol Bryn Onnen.

Andrew joined the Cardiff City FC Foundation as a Trustee in July 2023. Andrew is an entrepreneur and business owner with a passion to help small companies grow sustainably in Wales. He brings leadership experience, a focus on organisational strategy and business development skills from both private and public sector settings. In addition to his business interests, Andrew is a senior Governor in Further Education with Coleg y Cymoedd and Chair of Governors for a federation of two primary schools.

Catrin joined Cardiff City FC Community Foundation as a Trustee in July 2023. Catrin has worked within the Charity and third sector for 18 years within Housing and Homelessness Services and is passionate about people, learning and development, community engagement and creating homes where people feel part of their wider community.

Ali joined Cardiff City FC Community Foundation as a Trustee in July 2023. Ali has extensive experience of working with children and young people from across Cardiff and particularly the communities of Grangetown and Butetown. Ali is the Chair of the Grange Pavilion and has helped spear-head the investment of over £2 million pounds towards the redevelopment of the award winning community facility. Ali has devoted the past 20 years to empowering communities, youth work, mentoring and organising for change. He is also extremely passionate about using the transformational power of sport and specifically football to change lives and divert young people into positive activities and outcomes. Ali often supports young people to become learners on the education pathway at the Community Foundation and twice weekly hosts the Premier League Kicks Programme at the Grange Gardens site.

James joined the Foundation as a Trustee in July 2023. James is Head of Commercial at Cardiff City Football Club and is passionate about connecting the Club to the community and supporting the efforts of the Community Foundation to change lives in South Wales. James has a wealth of commercial and business development expertise, having previously worked as Head of Commercial at Scarlets Rugby, and Regional Sales Manager for the world’s leading logistics company, DHL.