Jonathan Rees – Chair

Jon is a founder member of Taff Barged Development Trust – founded in 1991. He is a Graphic Designer who worked for many years in the advertising and print industry. Between 1986 and 1991 he developed Remax Landscaping, a small but successful business in Cardiff which suffered the consequences of recession. In 1991 Jon trained as a Psychiatric Nurse and later specialised as a Community Forensic Nurse. In 1998 Jon moved to the private nursing sector and managed a Dementia Nursing Home in the Valleys before returning to the public sector in 2000 as a Service Manager for Caerphilly County. In 2002 Jon took up a Commissioning and Development role with Carmarthenshire County Council and took early retirement from there in 2018. Jon continues to work part time as a registered nurse.

Colin Fenn – Trustee

Colin has worked within the private sector for many years and became a senior draughtsman. Colin has also worked as a Regional Service Manager and with a partner developed a building and electrical contracting company. He has served as chair of the Aberfan Canoe Club since 1999 and is a founder member of the Caerphilly and District Model Railway Society. Colin is Vice Chair of The Friends of Taff Bargoed and is keen on developments within the Taff Bargoed Valley and promoting model engineering.

Gillian Preston – Secretary

Gill has been an active member of several groups and served as a school governor, community councillor and on the Communities First Partnership Board for many years. Gill has previously worked as a commercial manageress and in a secretarial role to a managing director. Gill enjoys reading, walking her dogs and meeting people and supporting local groups and developments.

Kate Moran – Trustee

Kate is a Business Manager for the Governance and Legal Directorate in Cardiff Council.  Formerly a Councillor for the Treharris Ward (2012-2017) Kate also worked for Merthyr Tydfil Council as an Internal Auditor and as a Duty Manager at the Nant Ddu Lodge hotel during the 90’s.   Kate left MTCBC to further her carrier and studied for a degree in Economics and Politics at the University of South Wales using this to help get a job as a Parliamentary Researcher at Westminster for Dai Havard.

Brian Mansbridge – Trustee

Brian has undertaken several roles as the chair and secretary of a variety of local groups and is very experienced. Former local councillor and Mayor of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council from 2014 – 2015. Brian enjoys politics and being involved in community projects. He is also a keen rugby union enthusiast.