Effective use of Information Technology Thursday 12 November 2013, and Thursday 19 November 2013, Llanrwst

Biographies

Phil Sweeney,

Phil Sweeney is responsible for leading, managing and developing the Corporate Services functions in Estyn in support of Estyn's core business. In this role, Phil acts as Estyn's Principal Finance, Human Resources and Communications Officer. He is also a member of Estyn's Executive Board and Strategy Board.

Phil joined Estyn in 2004 and was responsible for finance, procurement and facilities prior to taking up the post of Assistant Director at the start of 2009. Most of his career outside of Estyn has been spent working in local government, during which time he obtained a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Cardiff Business School. Prior to joining Estyn Phil took a two- year career break to undertake voluntary services overseas during which time he supported local AIDS organisations in Malawi, Africa.

Einion Gruffudd, National Library of

Einion Gruffudd is a senior systems analyst who is responsible for Business Continuity in the National Library of Wales IT section. He has been working in this section for 20 years. He has witnessed the changes in technology over this period working directly on the Library's catalogue systems and introducing new systems including the digital archive and storage area networks.

His aim now is to promote sustainability and professionalism in the section by moving forward to use contemporary good practice standards.

Owain Pritchard, National Library of Wales

Owain Pritchard is the manager of the National Library of Wales ICT Operations Unit. A graduate in Software Engineering from Aberystwyth University, he has worked at the Library for 9 years. In his current role, Owain is responsible for managing the centralised ICT infrastructure in the datacentres focussing mainly on ICT services, servers, storage and providing practical answers to backup and infrastructure protection strategies. During his time at the library he has developed the data-centre infrastructure into its current state by utilising and leveraging cutting edge technology trends such as server and storage virtualisation. He has developed

the Digital Archive storage platform and assisted with its integration into the Library's Digital Asset Management system.

Nia Lloyd, and Sara Powell-Davies, RenewableUK Cymru

RenewableUK Cymru is the trade body for the renewable energy sector in Wales. Our vision is to have a sustainable Wales which makes full use of its renewable energy resource. They aim to inform and influence the renewable energy agenda in order to maximise the benefits to Wales.

Nia leads on the creation and maintenance of RenewableUK Cymru’s social media and web presence, including Twitter sites and Wales’ specialist energy blog (YnniCymru). She also plays a key role in the member engagement activities.

During her time studying Media at Glamorgan University Nia participated in film and media work promoting sustainability and has worked abroad for conservation charities. Nia is a first-language Welsh speaker.

Sara has over 18 years’ experience of working in PR agencies and in-house PR teams. Prior 7 to joining RenewableUK Cymru, Sara was part of a regional media relations team for a major energy provider.

Sara looks after the communications for RenewableUK Cymru, which includes dealing with the media, promoting good news stories within the industry and overseeing communications to members.

Andrew Durant, Powys County Council

Andrew is the ICT Programmes and Governance Senior Manager with Powys County Council responsible for the implementation of the Joint ICT strategy for both the County Council and Powys Health Board.

He began his career in 1984 as an income assistant with Radnorshire District Council. Andrew became a member of the Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation in 1989 and lead the introduction of the ‘Poll tax’, the national business rates and its successor the Council tax, in Powys.

Andrew spent 25 years of his career in local taxation innovating through the use of technology.

In 2009 Andrew moved into ICT to develop an ICT strategy and programme to support the Council modernising agenda. More recently Andrew has helped to lead with the partnership arrangements for ICT between the County Council and the local health board.

Wendy Xerri, Trinity Saint David

Wendy Xerri, Director of Knowledge and Information is responsible for directing strategic and operational leadership in relation to information services and associated technical support functions essential to the effective management of data and the development and dissemination of knowledge and scholarship at University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Carmarthen.

She joined Trinity Saint David from the International Baccalaureate’s offices in Cardiff where she was the Global Chief Information Officer and IT Director for 5 years having previously been the IT Manager for S4C for 15 years.