Heledd Fychan MS Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport

• Management of Government Business in the Senedd in line with Standing Orders
• Delivery of the weekly Business Statement
• Represent the Government in Business Committee
• Government Chief Whip
• Culture and the arts
• Broadcasting and media policy
• Culture Strategy, with reference to Welsh language and Creative Industries
• Sponsorship and remit of the Arts Council of Wales
• The historic environment in Wales
• Cadw and the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments
• National Museums and Galleries of Wales
• Local museums and collections
• National Library of Wales
• Public libraries
• Local archive services
• Development of a National Archive for Wales
• National Botanic Garden of Wales
• Elite Sport
• Community sport, including sponsorship of the Sports Council for Wales
• Major Events

Main interests and achievements

As a Member of the Senedd, Fychan has campaigned on a variety of topics including greater action on the climate emergency and support for communities facing an ongoing risk of flooding; the closure of Craig yr Hesg quarry; a more central role for culture, history, heritage, the arts, and sport in government programmes; the future of the Welsh language; tackling poverty; better support for learners with additional learning needs and school transport.

Personal history

Fychan was raised in Anglesey, where she attended Ysgol Gynradd y Talwrn and Ysgol David Hughes. She studied History and Political Science at Trinity College Dublin, and served as Education Sabbatical Officer at the Trinity College Students’ Union, and then as Education Sabbatical Officer for the Union of Students in Ireland. She holds a Master’s degree in Medieval History from Bangor University. Heledd lives in Pontypridd with her husband and their son.

Professional background

Prior to her election, Fychan had worked for 12 years at Amgueddfa Cymru, serving as Head of Policy and Public Affairs, and leading on governance, strategy, internal communications, international relations and stakeholder engagement. She served on the board of the Museums Association, and chaired both its Ethics Committee and its Nations Committee. She also represented the organisation as a guest speaker at a number of international conferences. Prior to that, Fychan worked for the Plaid Cymru group in Westminster.

Political history

In 2017, Fychan was elected to represent the Pontypridd Town ward on Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and also Pontypridd Town Council. As a Councillor, she supported several prominent local campaigns including calling for an Independent Inquiry into the devastating floods of 2020, saving the A&E Unit at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, and opposing the reorganisation of schools in the Pontypridd area.

On 13 May 2026 Heledd Fychan was appointed Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport.