Trustees
Sarah Finnegan-Dehn - Chair
Sarah is an executive coach, mentor and consultant with more than 40 years' experience in the careers field. Before going freelance she held a number of senior roles in Careers Wales including Chief Executive, Regional Director for North Wales and Director of Service Development where she led on strategic development and digital transformation.
She was the UK President of the Institute for Career Guidance and Director for the Career Development Institute. In recognition of her extensive and comprehensive expertise Sarah was appointed fellow of the National Institute of Careers Education and Counselling (NICEC) in 2023, a learned society for all aspects of career development, and now sits on the organisation’s Board.
Sarah also has a keen interest in health issues, and served as an independent member on the former Board of the Community Health Council for Wales.
She is keen to promote the role that the third sector plays in career development and believes that as the labour market changes, older workers are becoming increasingly important for the future of work.
Originally from Brighton, she has lived in Anglesey for more than 35 years and is a fluent Welsh speaker. Married with two grown up children, two stepchildren and one grandchild, she enjoys cooking, going to the gym and travelling.
She was the UK President of the Institute for Career Guidance and Director for the Career Development Institute. In recognition of her extensive and comprehensive expertise Sarah was appointed fellow of the National Institute of Careers Education and Counselling (NICEC) in 2023, a learned society for all aspects of career development, and now sits on the organisation’s Board.
Sarah also has a keen interest in health issues, and served as an independent member on the former Board of the Community Health Council for Wales.
She is keen to promote the role that the third sector plays in career development and believes that as the labour market changes, older workers are becoming increasingly important for the future of work.
Originally from Brighton, she has lived in Anglesey for more than 35 years and is a fluent Welsh speaker. Married with two grown up children, two stepchildren and one grandchild, she enjoys cooking, going to the gym and travelling.
Brian Birtles
Trustee & PRIME Cymru Mentor
From 2004 to 2011, as Founder, Executive Chairman and Commercial Director of Bluefish, Brian successfully guided it from start up to over £10m turnover and trade sale. The business was sold to Vodafone.
Brian also has more than 20 years' experience in utilities, telecoms and IT. He has been Sales and Marketing Director at Alcatel and East Midland’s Electricity; set up and ran Powergen's £45m turnover, 650 people metering business which was sold to Siemens; Operations Director for a business serving 2.3m customers; and CEO at Cambridge Network Ltd. Brian is also a PRIME Cymru Mentor and has been since early 2015.
Brian also has more than 20 years' experience in utilities, telecoms and IT. He has been Sales and Marketing Director at Alcatel and East Midland’s Electricity; set up and ran Powergen's £45m turnover, 650 people metering business which was sold to Siemens; Operations Director for a business serving 2.3m customers; and CEO at Cambridge Network Ltd. Brian is also a PRIME Cymru Mentor and has been since early 2015.
Sian Phillips
Siân is Consultant Radiologist and Clinical Director of Imaging and Cancer Services. She has an active role in medical postgraduate and undergraduate education and is currently Associate Dean for Radiology at the newly formed Health Education and Improvement Wales. As an active member of Royal College of Radiologists, she has contributed as a member of the Professional Support and Standards Board and as an examiner for the Fellowship of the College of Radiologists. Siân is a trained Coach/Mentor, actively supporting those in senior roles.
For several years, Siân has been a active patron of Prime Cymru and is pleased to become a trustee to the charity and support its future development, projects and plans.
For several years, Siân has been a active patron of Prime Cymru and is pleased to become a trustee to the charity and support its future development, projects and plans.
Eleanor Marks
Eleanor took up the role of Vice Chair of Hywel Dda University Health Board in February 2024. She was the Director for Wales at Ofcom, the regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries, until the end of January. She joined Ofcom in 2018 from the Welsh Government’s Environment Planning and Rural Affairs Department and before that she supported a panel of experts in their parliamentary review of health and social care in Wales.
Her previous roles include Director of Communities & Tackling Poverty, Regional Director of Economic Development at Welsh Government and Programme Director at the Welsh European Funding Office. Eleanor has also worked at HM Revenue and Customs in Bath, South Wales and London.
A resident of Carmarthenshire, Eleanor is Welsh-speaking, a member of the Institute of Directors and a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce (RSA). She loves walking, is a Director at Ashburham Golf Club, a Scarlets season ticket holder, enjoys walking her dog, travelling and is and a bit of a foodie.
Her previous roles include Director of Communities & Tackling Poverty, Regional Director of Economic Development at Welsh Government and Programme Director at the Welsh European Funding Office. Eleanor has also worked at HM Revenue and Customs in Bath, South Wales and London.
A resident of Carmarthenshire, Eleanor is Welsh-speaking, a member of the Institute of Directors and a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce (RSA). She loves walking, is a Director at Ashburham Golf Club, a Scarlets season ticket holder, enjoys walking her dog, travelling and is and a bit of a foodie.
Michael Curties
Having worked for over 30 years in many roles supporting some of the most vulnerable communities and individuals, Michael is delighted to have the opportunity to join PRIME Cymru as a board member.
He has experience in the Third Sector, NHS, Local and National Government in a range of roles and have held several senior roles in the Welsh Government over the past 17 years, currently as the Head of Substance Misuse.
Michael previously designed and led Communities for Work, an all Wales ESF employment support programme working in the most deprived communities in Wales. He looks forward to offering his experience and skills as a Board member.
He has experience in the Third Sector, NHS, Local and National Government in a range of roles and have held several senior roles in the Welsh Government over the past 17 years, currently as the Head of Substance Misuse.
Michael previously designed and led Communities for Work, an all Wales ESF employment support programme working in the most deprived communities in Wales. He looks forward to offering his experience and skills as a Board member.
Fiona Jones OBE
Fiona brings with her extensive experience of leading large, complex operations, and has a passion for supporting vulnerable people and those who need extra help.
She retired from UK Government after 36 years of service. Her most recent role was Director in the Home Office, where she led the teams who look after and process asylum seekers from arrival. Prior to that she spent four years as DWP Director for Wales, running the 59 job centres and 2 contact centres in Wales - she was awarded an OBE in the 2020 Queen's Birthday Honours for services to unemployed people in Wales.
Fiona is also Chair of Tai Tarian - one of the largest social landlords in Wales which has responsibility for over 9,000 properties across the Neath Port Talbot County Borough.
Fiona is married with a son, daughter, a grand daughter and three cats. She enjoys walking, running, swimming and spending time with her family
She retired from UK Government after 36 years of service. Her most recent role was Director in the Home Office, where she led the teams who look after and process asylum seekers from arrival. Prior to that she spent four years as DWP Director for Wales, running the 59 job centres and 2 contact centres in Wales - she was awarded an OBE in the 2020 Queen's Birthday Honours for services to unemployed people in Wales.
Fiona is also Chair of Tai Tarian - one of the largest social landlords in Wales which has responsibility for over 9,000 properties across the Neath Port Talbot County Borough.
Fiona is married with a son, daughter, a grand daughter and three cats. She enjoys walking, running, swimming and spending time with her family
Ross O'Keefe
Ross is the Director of Wales-based executive search firm Goodson Thomas, a talent consultant and coach. He has cultivated relationships with national and international clients as well as key senior talent across Wales.
He is recognised as a Fellow of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, which is a testament to his expertise in talent acquisition and development, a Chartered Manager and Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute and member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development. He has occupied strategic people leadership roles across diverse sectors such as FMCG, financial services, and the third sector, with a particular focus on workplace culture and talent development. His broad expertise also extends to customer experience and commercial business operations. Ross's multifaceted background equips him with a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies involved in driving organisational success from a people and operational perspective.
Born and raised in Merthyr Tydil, Ross is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community in Wales. He is also a supporter of mentorship programmes for future leaders in under-represented populations and a father to two sons. His passion for helping others to meet their potential in work and life was a key motivator for joining PRIME Cymru and he is eager to make a contribution to the charity and it’s service users.
He is recognised as a Fellow of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, which is a testament to his expertise in talent acquisition and development, a Chartered Manager and Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute and member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development. He has occupied strategic people leadership roles across diverse sectors such as FMCG, financial services, and the third sector, with a particular focus on workplace culture and talent development. His broad expertise also extends to customer experience and commercial business operations. Ross's multifaceted background equips him with a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies involved in driving organisational success from a people and operational perspective.
Born and raised in Merthyr Tydil, Ross is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community in Wales. He is also a supporter of mentorship programmes for future leaders in under-represented populations and a father to two sons. His passion for helping others to meet their potential in work and life was a key motivator for joining PRIME Cymru and he is eager to make a contribution to the charity and it’s service users.
Stephen Pegge - Advisor for the Board
Stephen is a trustee of Shaw Trust and Shaw Education Trust where he chairs the Finance Committee. He is also Director of UK Business Angels Association and The Business Banking Resolution Service. He worked in the financial sector for 40 years and until mid 2024 was Managing Director of UK Finance.
Stephen read Economics at UCL and has professional qualifications in banking and marketing. He lives in North Somerset with his wife Cordelia and divides his time between London and South West England, Wales and Italy.
Stephen read Economics at UCL and has professional qualifications in banking and marketing. He lives in North Somerset with his wife Cordelia and divides his time between London and South West England, Wales and Italy.