Directors

Nia joined OB3 in 2007 and has over fifteen years’ experience as a social researcher. She has a strong consultancy background and has led a wide range of research and evaluation commissions for Wales based clients.

Associates

Carys is a highly experienced researcher having formerly been Head of Insight and Data, and Head of Research at S4C, and a Broadcast Research Manager at ITV Cymru. Carys has worked on a range of projects as a freelance researcher since 2019 including research on media use patterns among young people, field work on an evaluation regarding decarbonisation and net-zero training needs.

Carys holds a first-class BSc Econ degree in Sociology from Cardiff University. She is a fluent Welsh speaker. She has contributed to several research and evaluation studies for OB3 Research, including evaluations of the Pan Wales Rural Tourism Scheme and the ENRaW scheme.

Tanwen is an experienced researcher, evaluator, and analyst with significant experience in mixed-methods social research working with public, third sector and private sector clients. Tanwen spent seven years managing research and evaluation projects across a range of policy areas including education, skills, culture, and heritage for a reputable research and evaluation consultancy. She has also worked for the Wales Audit Officer as a knowledge exchange officer and a performance audit support officer.

Tanwen has an MA International Politics and Europe (Distinction) from University of Warwick and an MA (Cantab) History from the University of Cambridge. She is a fluent Welsh speaker. Tanwen has contributed to several research and evaluation projects with OB3 lately including analysis of responses to the Tobacco Control Strategy for Wales and the Transformation Fund for Libraries, Archives and Museums evaluation.

**Gwilym ap Gruffudd**
Associate Researcher

Gwilym is an experienced researcher and is currently studying for his PhD at Bangor University. Gwilym was a lecturer and research fellow in the education and human development department at Bangor University for over ten years. He was also previously a research assistant at the centre for health-related research at Bangor University. He has also undertaken a secondment as a senior research officer at Welsh Government.

He has an MA in Social Research and Social Policy (Bangor University) and is a member of the Social Research Association and the British Education Research Association. He is a fluent Welsh speaker.

Gwilym has worked with OB3 recently on several different projects including the evaluation of the Integrated Care Fund, the Nature and Us National Conversation and research into student attitudes to studying in Welsh.

Val works for Sylfaen Cymunedol Limited - a community development social enterprise which develops innovative projects to respond to community needs. She coordinates the company’s work and undertakes research and evaluation work as well as community development training and new project development.

Prior to this Val worked with Gwynedd Council’s Youth Service and in various voluntary sector roles at Women’s Aid in Rhyl and the Children’s Society.

Val has an BA (Hons) in Sociology from Bangor University and a Postgraduate Certificate in Community Development. She is a fluent Welsh speaker. Recent projects with OB3 include evaluations of Communities for Work and the Sustainable Management Scheme (SMS).

Einir is a Director of Dateb Ltd and has worked extensively with OB3 since 2002, contributing to and managing evaluation and research assignments across the fields of economic and social development, education, and training. Prior to setting up Dateb and working with OB3, Einir held senior positions with ELWa, Mid Wales TEC and Powys TEC. She fulfilled a variety of roles including regional director, head of strategy and policy and head of finance and, therefore, has good ‘hands-on’ knowledge of policy development, programme delivery and operational matters. Einir started her career in financial services and worked for four years as a company accountant in the private sector.

Einir is a fluent Welsh speaker. She holds an MBA and is a member of the UK Evaluation Society. She is a fluent Welsh speaker. Most recently, Einir has worked on OB3 evaluations of PaCE, Communities for Work and the Transformation Fund.

**Angharad Harding**
Associate Consultant

Angharad is an experienced interviewer, facilitator, and business planner. She is the owner of Aim High Business and co-founder of 4Ivy. Prior to that she spent four years as the Hub Manager for Business in Focus in Carmarthen where she offered account management support and provided business advice to SMEs across the region. She also has over a decade of experience as a business development officer for Carmarthenshire County Council.

Angharad graduated from University of Wales Trinity Saint David with a BA (Hons) in Business Management and Informatics. She is a fluent Welsh speaker. Recently, Angharad supported OB3’s vision engagement work for Nature and Us 2050 (NRW).

Since co-founding BRO in 2015, Rob has been involved in a wide range of projects, deploying his extensive experience and enthusiasm for developing and implanting policies and projects that make Wales a better place for all. Rob’s early career started on Anglesey, initially as the coastal management officer for the Island and eventually becoming Principal Officer for all countryside and coastal matters.

Rob left the Isle of Anglesey Borough Council as the newly formed Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) was taking shape in the early 1990’s and began a 20-year career which includes spells as the Group Head for Landscape, Access, Recreation, Communications and interpretation.

Rob also had a three-year spell in Brussels where he was seconded to the Wales European Centre. Rob has collaborated with OB3 on a number of projects recently including the evaluation of the Valleys Regional Park (VRP) and the National Nature Service (NNS).

Prior to co-founding BRO, Sue worked at NRW where, for eight years, she was the Programme Manager for the Wales Coast Path, which successfully opened on time in 2012. The Coast Path team captured the ‘Team of the Year Award’ and the Wales award at the 2014 Placemaking awards, following on from winning the RTPI Silver Jubilee Cup in 2013. She also ran the Rights of Way improvement plan funding programme for several years when it was first established.

Sue started her career as a planning officer at Vale of Glamorgan council where her responsibilities included writing environment-based planning policy and advice in the form of supplementary planning guidance.

Sue has collaborated regularly with OB3 including working on the evaluation of the SMS and the Guardians scheme.