The Board of Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa (CCDG) meets quarterly. The board is responsible for the governance and compliance with the corporate governance code. Below are the minutes of the CCDG Board meeting held on 11 December 2025.
Board Members Present
- Erica Cassin (Chair)
- Andrew Clark
- Joni Ayn-Alexander
- Tony Smith
- Azza Ali
- Richard Thomas
- Nan Williams
- Viv Laing
- Rokib Uddin
- Helen White
- Hayley Jacobs
From Careers Wales
- Nikki Lawrence
- Ruth Ryder (RR)
- Amie Field
Welsh Government (WG)
- Sam Evans
Absent
- Kate Daubney
- Natalie Richards
- Rhian Roberts (RhR)
- Neil Surman
Secretariat
Donna Millward(DMM)
1. Apologies/Declarations of interest
Apologies were received from Kate Daubney, Natalie Richards, Rhian Roberts and Neil Surman.
No new declarations of interest were noted.
2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting, 9 October 2025
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as an accurate record.
3. Matters Arising
Action 1. Circulate the final reports from the Senedd committees to Performance and Impact Committee members as soon as they become available. Completed.
Action 2. Complete Companies House director identity verification and send the code to DM for Careers Wales records. This action is now overdue and remaining Board Members should send verification to DMM as soon as possible (by end Dec 2025)
Action 3. Circulate regional staff conference dates with board members. This action to be carried forward to the next CCDG Board meeting.
Action 4. Ensure summary minutes for Finance, Audit and Risk Committee are published and confirm publication to the board. Completed.
4. Chair’s Update – Verbal
4.1 New Board Members
The Chair formally welcomed new members to the Board.
4.2 Board Changes
The Chair updated members that Sharon James-Evans is no longer able to join the Board as a co-opted member.
Members discussed the ongoing recruitment therefore for a co-opted member.
The Chair reminded members that KD will shortly end their first term and RT will end their second term. The Chair formally thanked both members acknowledging their significant contributions over their terms.
4.3 Welsh Government Guidance
The Chair shared Welsh Government guidance on engagement with organisations during the pre-election period.
4.4 Anti- Racism Wales Action Plan Event
The Chair updated members on a recent Anti-Racism Wales Action Plan event, which she had attended along with the Director of Service Delivery.
4.5 Public Bodies Unit
The Chair updated members on a recent co-creation event run by the Public Bodies Unit to look at redesigning the recruitment processes for boards.
5. Chief Executive’s Report
Members discussed the previously circulated report.
5.1 Key Company Risks
The report highlighted five key risks which remain unchanged from the previous report.
5.3 Pay Award
Negotiations for the 2025/26 pay award had successfully concluded and were awaiting ministerial approval. It was hoped that approval would be given in time for the changes to be included in the December pay.
Members noted the discussion that had taken place in the People Matters Committee regarding the impact of real living wage, compression of grades and market relativity.
5.4 Stakeholder Engagement
The Chief Executive gave further detail on the meeting with Medr, the CDI Conference, the Colegau Cymru conference and a presentation she made to the National Institute for Careers, Education and Counselling on innovation in Wales.
5.5 Executive Team
The Chief Executive announced plans to advertise both internally and externally for permanent role of Director of Service Delivery early in the new year.
5.6 Routes into Post-16 report
The Chief Executive shared some insights from the recent Children, Young People and Education Committee - Routes into Post-16 report.
Members noted the Director of Service Delivery is developing an internal action plan to address comments and recommendations.
5.8 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
An update was provided on the company KPIs. Members noted that performance is on track, with minor exceptions. partnership agreements are at 98.8% but expected to reach 100% in early 2026, and Trainee Careers Advisers qualifying within two years was only eight days beyond the expected timescale.
6. Welsh Government (WG) Update
6.1 Ministerial Engagement
The Education Cabinet Secretary visited a Cardiff school in a Careers Wales organised session, engaging with learners and employers.
6.2 Budgets
The Board was advised that Ministers are currently reviewing budgets, so there is no further updates to Careers Wales’s position at this point.
6.3 Pay award
It was confirmed that the Careers Wales pay award was with the minister for final approval.
6.4 Children, Young People & Education Committee Report.
Welsh Government is reviewing recommendations from the Children, Young People & Education Committee – Routes into Post-16 report.
6.5 OECD Survey
Wales has been invited to participate in an OECD national survey on the impact of careers development for 19 to 24 year olds. Welsh Government is currently waiting on confirmation for participation in the survey.
6.6 Remuneration for board members
The remuneration for board members was currently being considered and updates would be provided as soon as they are available.
7. Strategy Update Goals and KPI
The Chief Executive presented the current version of the draft strategy, proposing one primary goal and two supporting goals. Members were advised that there are ongoing discussions to settle the specific wording of each goal.
Board members endorsed the proposed structure of one primary goal supported by two secondary goals, emphasising the importance of clarity, and simplicity, of the language used.
Board members emphasised the importance of integrating user voice into the primary goal. For the secondary goals, board members were pleased to note that innovation would encompass not only technology but also innovative thinking for non-digital improvements such as processes, workforce agility, and service flexibility.
Board members reviewed the proposed approach to performance measurement within the new strategy, agreeing that key performance indicators must be clear, outcome-focused, and aligned with Welsh Government priorities. Board members supported a balanced framework combining quantitative measures, qualitative evaluations, milestone achievements, and longer-term impact indicators, including longitudinal studies.
The next phase of the strategy development would be to engage with key stakeholders.
Board members emphasised the importance of consulting widely to ensure the strategy reflects customer voice, policy priorities, and sector needs, while maintaining flexibility to adapt to technological and labour market changes.
8. Review Of Risk Management Systems/Appetite
Board members held an in-depth discussion on strategic risk management and the Board’s risk appetite in the context of the new strategy.
Board members acknowledged the need to define clear risk appetite parameters to guide decision-making, balancing innovation, and service improvement.
Key strategic risks identified included political change, funding uncertainty, technology disruption (including AI), reputational risk, and cyber security.
Board members agreed to continue discussions in 2026, and will build on discussions that will take place at SMT
9. Management Account
The Director of Resources and Transformation presented the management accounts, confirming they had been reviewed and approved by the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee. The version shared with Board members included amendments based on committee feedback.
10. Cyber and Information Security Update
The Senior Information Risk Owner (SIRO) provided an update on the cyber and information security landscape.
The SIRO provided reasonable assurance to board members around Careers Wales security measures.
The SIRO mentioned the primary area of focus for the organisation is disaster recovery testing. The Director of Resources and Transformation is discussing how to test current recover plans beyond it being a paper exercise with Head of ICT.
11. Committee Effectiveness and Terms of Reference Review
Board members discussed the importance of ensuring committees remain effective and aligned with strategic priorities. Chairs were asked to lead a review of their committees’ terms of reference and undertake a self-assessment of effectiveness.
It was agreed that the Board’s own terms of reference should be reviewed first to provide a clear framework for committees, with an annual Chairs’ meeting proposed to ensure alignment.
Action 3. The Chair and Chief Executive to review Board’s Terms of Reference.
Action 4. DMM to arrange Chairs’ meetings to discuss committees’ Terms of Reference and annual Workplan priorities.
Board members discussed and reflected on the healthy board workshop that they had participated in earlier the same day. The consensus was that the workshop had been beneficial and reinforced their confidence in their relationship with the Executive team as being based on trust and openness and consequently how this resulted in good governance and improvement.
Board members discussed the expertise available through the current membership and agreed on the need for a skills matrix exercise to identify gaps and succession planning needs.
Board members suggested methods for incorporating the customer voice into boardroom discussions through video clips, digital stories, or leveraging existing youth forums and networks.
12. Q3. Finance, Audit & Risk Committee – Minutes (Draft) – November 4, 2025
The minutes of the last meeting were shared, and the Chair outlined the key points of the meeting for members.
13. Q3. Performance & Impact Committee – Minutes (Draft) – November 12, 2025
The minutes of the last meeting were shared, and the Chair outlined the key points of the meeting for members.
14. Q3. People Matters Committee – Minutes (Draft) – November 25, 2025
The minutes of the last meeting were shared with Board members. JAA and AA outlined the key points of the meeting for members.
15. Any Other Business
No other business noted.
Action Log
- Action 1. Complete Companies House director identity verification and send the code to DM for Careers Wales records. Board members, 31.12.2025
- Action 2. Circulate regional staff conference dates with board members. DMM, As soon as possible
- Action 3. The Chair and Chief Executive to review Board’s Terms of Reference. EC/NL,28.02.2026
- Action 4. DMM to arrange Chairs’ meetings to discuss committees’ Terms of Reference and annual Workplan priorities. DMM, 28.02.2026
- No further actions recorded
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