Written Statement: Appointment of Chair of the National Institute for Learning Welsh

It gives me great pleasure to announce the first Chair of the Athrofa Dysgu Cymraeg Genedlaethol is Llinos Roberts. Llinos is appointed after a competitive public appointment exercise run in accordance with the Governance Code for Public Appointments. The appointment will begin on 1 April 2026 for a five-year term.

Llinos brings a wealth of education experience to the role of Chair. She has significant experience of the sectors that are essential to the work of the Athrofa Dysgu Cymraeg Genedlaethol, including the post-16 sector, and the Learn Welsh sector. I am confident that her expertise and commitment to the Welsh language will enable effective collaboration with key stakeholders, ensuring that the Athrofa Dysgu Cymraeg Genedlaethol is an organisation with a lifelong focus for Welsh language learning. I am grateful to Coleg Cambria for the co-operation with the practical arrangements which have made this appointment possible.

The Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Act 2025 establishes the Athrofa Dysgu Cymraeg Genedlaethol. This new statutory body will strengthen and secure national planning to support people of all ages to learn Welsh and to progress in their learning. The Athrofa Dysgu Cymraeg Genedlaethol’s overarching purpose is to facilitate and promote lifelong Welsh language learning, ensuring that more people have the opportunity to acquire and use the language. The Athrofa Dysgu Cymraeg Genedlaethol will be established on 1 August 2027.