The Education Workforce Council (EWC) has welcomed Eithne Hughes OBE as its newly elected Chairperson.

Eithne, who first joined the Council in 2019, was elected to the role by her fellow Council members.

She brings with her a wealth of experience from across the education sector having been a long serving headteacher of a large secondary school in north Wales, and the current Director of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) Cymru. She is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and is an invited member of the Oxford All Souls Group.

Alongside her vast experience, Eithne is the recipient of a number of prestigious awards including an Honorary Professorship with Bangor University, the Teaching Award for Leadership for Wales, the Pearson award for Leadership, and the Cymru Professional Award for promoting school collaboration. In 2013, she was awarded an OBE for services to secondary education in Wales.

Following her appointment, Eithne said, “I am delighted to be appointed as Chair of the EWC and very much look forward to taking up the role. Having been a Council member for the past four years, I am proud to have been a part of the EWC’s development to date and am passionate about leading the Council through its future challenges and accomplishments”

As Chair, Eithne’s responsibilities will include working with the EWC’s senior management team to lead the strategic direction of the organisation, whilst overseeing its governance and ensuring that the Council fulfils its statutory responsibilities.

Welcoming Eithne, EWC Chief Executive Hayden Llewellyn said, “On behalf of the whole EWC, I would like to congratulate Eithne on her appointment as Chairperson.

“Eithne is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about education across Wales, and I look forward to working with her over the next four years.”

For more information on the role of the EWC and to find out more about Eithne’s fellow Council members, visit the EWC website.