Our Board Members
Brian Adcock, chair, solas cymru. Brian is a native of Liverpool, with a professional background in planning and economic regeneration. Brian retired in 2006 after 40 years service in local government. He has worked on major development projects in Lancashire, Southampton, Wirral and Merseyside Development Corporation, including the regeneration of Liverpool docklands and waterfront. Brian joined Newport City Council as director of development in 1986. He became Corporate Director in 2001 with responsibility for social wellbeing and housing. Brian was President of Newport & Gwent Chamber of Commerce (1993-95) and volunteer’s as a tour guide at Newport Wetlands RSPB reserve
Martin Blakeborough is chief executive of the Kaleidoscope Project, a charity based in South Wales and Kingston upon Thames, with a primary focus on the treatment of drug users. A qualified Baptist Minister, Martin obtained an MA in Community Care Management. From 2002 until 2006 he was a local Councillor with Kingston upon Thames, and worked as an Executive Member with responsibility for Young People & Lifelong Learning. Martin was also a member of the Home Office Advisory Committee on the misuse of drugs until December 200, a member of the Community Action Network and Director of Global Links Initiatives, encouraging social enterprise.
Diane Daniel. Diane was was born in Caerphilly and educated at Caerphilly Girls Grammar school before going to London University to study for B Sc and B Ed. Diane worked as a teacher and then from 1983 in Children’s Services in Newport for 25 years before her retirement in December 2008.
In her post of Children and Young People’s Partnership Manager for Newport, which she held from 2001 she had responsibility for setting up the multi agency Children and Young People’s Partnership and the development of the Children and Young People’s Plan for Newport .
She continues to work in a voluntary capacity to promote the well-being of children and young people in Wales not only as a trustee of Solas but also as a Trustee of Children in Wales and Clubiau Plant Cymru Kids Clubs. She is also a national committee member for Barnardos Cymru.
Viv Davies is Director of the Centre for Community & Lifelong Learning at the University of Wales, Newport. He manages a large adult and community based department and is responsible for developing and driving the participation and community regeneration activities of the University. Viv has been a practitioner and manager in higher education for many years and has held a number of positions in voluntary and partnership organisations.
Gail Giles has worked as a nurse, a teacher and has managed a small charitable organisation. She is presently employed by an Assembly Member and is a Councillor with Newport City Council. Gail sits on a number of Boards and was appointed as Newport’s first Champion for Homeless People.
Haydn Jones is employed in the NHS as Assistant Director of Finance and Performance with Swindon Primary Care Trust. He has extensive experience of working in the public sector – currently in the NHS but previously in local government (specialising in council housing finance and social care finance) and the police service. Haydn is a qualified accountant and a full member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).
Patricia Turley, vice chair, is a retired senior social work practitioner. She has always worked in the local authority provision of social services, predominantly in fostering and adoption services. Patricia spent a period of time working in South India as a volunteer in an orphanage.
Chris Watts is an Inspector with the Gwent Police.
