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Kirsty Williams to leave Powys health board for Cardiff role

Kirsty Williams to leave Powys health board for Cardiff role

FORMER Powys Senedd member Kirsty Williams is to leave her role as vice chair of Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB), to become the new chair of Cardiff & Vale University Health Board later this year.
Ms Williams, a former Welsh politician who was a Member of the Senedd (MS) from its inception in 1999, until 2021, has been vice chair of Powys' health board since 2022.
She will start her new role with Cardiff & Vale University Health Board on October 1, after being hand selected for the role by health secretary Jeremy Miles.
It was announced in June that Mr Miles had picked Ms Williams, the former long-time MS for Brecon and Radnor, as his preferred candidate for the role as Cardiff & Vale chair; the announcement of her appointment followed in July, after a pre-appointment hearings by the Senedd's health and social care committee on July 3.
'Whilst excited to join Cardiff & Vale University Health Board as the new chair, I will of course be sad to leave Powys Teaching Health Board,' said Ms Williams.
'It has been a joy and a privilege to serve as vice chair. Over the past three and a half years I have been inspired every day by the dedication of the staff, who continually strive to offer the very best service for local people.
'I am grateful to each and every one of them.'
Carl Cooper, Chair of PTHB, added: 'On behalf of our board, I am delighted to congratulate my vice chair (and) colleague, Kirsty Williams, on her well-deserved appointment as chair of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.
'Kirsty has a very distinguished record of public service in Powys and in Welsh Government.
'She is an impressively skilled and experienced person whose insightful knowledge and expertise have helped to hone the effective governance within Powys Teaching Health Board.
'She is highly respected within the board by independent and executive members alike. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work with her for nearly three years.
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'We will miss her colleagueship and incisive contribution, and we assure her and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board of our warmest wishes as she prepares to take up her new responsibilities.'
Ms Williams previously served as minister for education in the the Welsh Government from 2016 to 2021. She was also leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats from December 2008 to May 2016 and from June to November 2017 in an acting capacity.
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