Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs
Following my announcement earlier this year that we would be establishing a new public body, the Disused Tips Authority for Wales (‘the Authority’), I am pleased to confirm that Fiona Jones OBE will take up the role of Chair of the Authority from 28 November 2025 for a period of 5 years.
This was an extensive and competitive public appointments exercise run in accordance with the Governance Code for Public Appointments. I am incredibly grateful to all candidates for contributing their valuable time and sharing their experiences as part of the process.
The role of the Chair is a high-profile and influential one in delivering the Authority’s main objective, to ensure that disused tips do not threaten human welfare by reason of their instability to make sure that our communities will be safer, both now and in the future.
Fiona Jones brings with her extensive experience of setting up and leading large, complex operations which I am confident will provide the Authority the necessary support and leadership to help establish and shape the organisation to meet the challenges ahead.
Fiona has a passion for supporting vulnerable people and those who need extra help. She was awarded an OBE in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to unemployed people in Wales.
The Authority will be the first organisation of its type in the UK, and a world leader in its field - developing knowledge, experience and skills that will benefit the people of Wales for generations. Wales once developed and provided expertise in mining that was exported throughout the world during the 19th and 20th Centuries – this is an opportunity to lead the world again, this time in creating a talent pipeline, creating groundbreaking opportunities and experience of dealing with our mining legacy during a time of significant change in our climate.