Rt Hon Rhun ap Iorwerth MS First Minister of Wales

• Exercise of functions by the Welsh Government
• Expectations, oversight and support for the Welsh Government civil service, working with the Permanent Secretary
• Development, implementation and presentation of the Programme for Government and Welsh Government policies
• Legislative Programme (supported by the Minister for Government Effectiveness)
• Promoting and representing Wales at home and overseas
• Inter-governmental relations
• International Relations including overseas network and EU relations
• Civil Contingencies and Chair of Wales Resilience Forum
• National security including counter-terrorism and cyber security
• The Ministerial Code
• Open Government and information management, including data protection
• Arms-Length Bodies – general governance
• UK government Covid-19 Public Inquiry
• Leadership of Cabinet
• Strategic Communications
• Public Appointments
• Senedd electoral system

Personal history

Ap Iorwerth was first elected as the Member for Ynys Môn – the island of Anglesey - in a by-election in August 2013. Born in the south Wales valleys, he spent his early years in Meirionnydd before moving to the island. He was educated at Ysgol David Hughes and Cardiff University, where he graduated in Politics and Welsh. Fluent in Welsh and English, he is married and has 3 children.

Professional background

Ap Iorwerth was a journalist and broadcaster for almost 20 years before being elected. He joined BBC Wales in 1994 and worked in Westminster before returning to Wales after the 1997 devolution vote. He was later appointed as Chief Political Correspondent, worked as a BBC Network News correspondent and presented a wide range of television and radio programmes, in Welsh and English.

Political history

In the time since he was first returned ap Iorwerth has served as Shadow Minister for the Economy and Transport, Health and Care, and Finance, and as a member of the corresponding Assembly and Senedd committees. He has also, at various times, been a member of the Public Accounts Committee, the Petitions Committee and the Standards Committee, and has also served as a Senedd Commissioner, and as a Deputy Leader of the Plaid Cymru Group during the Fifth Senedd. He also served two Senedd terms as Chair of the Wales branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

On 12 May 2026 Rhun ap Iorwerth was appointed First Minister of Wales.