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 9 October 2025.
Board Members Present:
- Erica Cassin (Chair)
- Andrew Clark
- Joni Ayn-Alexander
- Rhian Roberts (RhR)
- Tony Smith
- Azza Ali
- Richard Thomas
- Natalie Richards
- Nan Williams
From Careers Wales:
- Nikki Lawrence
- Ruth Ryder (RR)
- Amie Field
In Attendance:
Emma Blandon – Head of Digital and Communications (agenda item 10)
Welsh Government (WG):
- Sam Evans
- Neil Surman
Absent:
- Dave Mathews (DM)
- Kate Daubney
- Viv Laing
- Rokib Uddin
- Helen White
- Sharon James-Evans
Secretariat:
Donna Millward(DMM)
1. Apologies/Declarations of interest
Apologies were received from Dave Mathews (DM), Kate Daubney, Viv Laing, Rokib Uddin, Helen White and Sharon James-Evans.
No new declarations of interest were noted.
2. Minutes of the previous meeting, 22 July 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. This action to be carried forward to the next CCDG Board meeting.
Action 2. The Chair to write to all employees to thank them and recognise their efforts and achievements. Completed.
Action 3. Welsh Government representative to share the OECD report link with board members once available. Completed.
Action 4. Welsh Government representative to share the Working Wales role in prisons report link with board members when available. Completed.
Action 5. The Chief Executive to share the previous ROI report with board members. Completed.
Action 6. Board members to suggest community links and provide feedback on the SEP. 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 DM (SIRO) resigned from the Board and confirmed that TS appointed as new SIRO.
KD will end their first term in December 2025, and RT will end their second term in January 2026.
Recruitment is ongoing for an additional board member to reach full complement by end of January.
4.3 Sub Committees
The Chair updated members on the changes to the Chairs of the Sub-Committees.
4.4 Board Champion Roles
The Chair updated members that TS appointed as new SIRO, RhR appointed as whistleblowing champion and members reminded that NR is safeguarding champion.
4.5 Public Bodies Chairs Meeting
The Chair updated members on a recent Public Bodies Chairs Meeting and highlighted the continued focus on Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), especially the Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan. There is also increased focus on disability and closing the disability employment gap, with new recommendations from the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice.
4.6 Board Remuneration
The chair updated members that the board remuneration review has completed and awaiting the Cabinet Secretary’s decision. An update will follow when available.
4.7 Companies House Verification
The Chair informed members about new Companies House requirements for director identity verification, including the process and deadlines.
Action 2: Complete Companies House director identity verification and send the code to DMM for Careers Wales records.
5. Chief Executive’s Report
Members discussed the previously circulated report.
5.1 Premises
The Chief Executive reported a new offer for the Parc Menai office has been received.
5.2 Key Company Risks
The report highlighted five key risks which remain unchanged from the previous report now include mitigated actions.
5.3Pay Award
Unison has submitted their pay claim for 2025/26, and a proposal has now been presented in response.
5.4 Stakeholder Engagement
The Chief Executive has regular meetings with key stakeholders, including the Chief Executive of the Australian Centre for Careers Education. The Chief Executive met with Jack Sargeant MS and attended a net zero green horizons: empowering future skill event at Morlais substation.
5.5 Executive Team
The Chief Executive confirmed that EJ had been appointed as interim head of services to young people.
5.6 Operational Planning 2026/27
Following all staff feedback, and SMT discussion changes to the approach to business planning for this year were noted. All colleagues across the company would be brought together in June/July for regional conferences.
Members suggested that the conference would be a good opportunity for Board members to engage more widely with colleagues.
Action 3: Circulate regional staff conference dates with board members.
5.7 Complaints/Compliments
The Chief Executive mentioned that complaints/compliments are included in the report. AF shared a compliment demonstrating the positive effect of tailored work experience on a young person and their family.
5.8 KPIs
An update was provided on the company KPIs. Members noted that no current concerns and performance is on track.
6. Welsh Government (WG) Update
6.1 Draft Budget for 2026/27
The Welsh Government’s draft budget is expected to be announced in October 2025.
6.2 New Skills Audit for Wales
A new skills audit for Wales will launch before Christmas 2025.
6.3 Medr updates
Working with Medr on the formal implementation of the tertiary Education Research Act's apprenticeship provisions.
6.4 Committee updates
The Pathways to Apprenticeship paper referencing Careers Wales’ contributions was published at the end of July 2025.
6.5 Vocational education training strategy for Wales
A ministerial board is overseeing the development of a vocational education and training strategy for Wales, with monthly meetings and stakeholder engagement.
6.6 Strategy work
Reports on green skills and SME productivity have been published, with further reports on floating offshore wind and AI forthcoming.
7. New Strategy Progress
The Chief Executive provided an update on the progress of the new strategy, outlining what has been agreed so far, and the general progress being made.
The company purpose is set out in the framework document, and the proposal of the new company vision will be discussed further with the senior management team (SMT) and board members. Members also noted that three strategic goals have been drafted.
The next phase of developments involves stakeholder engagement, with focus groups planned to support wider consultation.
Board members suggested expanding stakeholder consultations to include universities, middle-tier education bodies, and underrepresented community groups and emphasised the importance of including measurable impact in strategic goals.
The Chief Executive highlighted that the new strategy will be discussed further at the next board meeting.
8. End of Year Accounts
Board members received the updated end of year accounts. Two major updates were noted from the draft that had been reviewed by the Finance Audit and Risk Committee.
Board members approved the accounts, with delegated authority to the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee for any minor final adjustments.
9. Management Accounts
The Director of Resources and Transformation presented the management accounts, and they were approved by the Board.
10. Quarterly Performance Reports
The Director of Service Delivery provided a comprehensive verbal update on the quarterly performance report, focusing on services to young people, stakeholder services, and Working Wales, as well as ongoing digital innovation and the introduction of new impact measurement tools.
Board members noted that all KPIs are on track or ahead, except for young people’s referrals in Working Wales, which is being actively managed.
Board members praised the transparency and granularity of the reporting, especially the new impact metrics.
11. Draft Annual Report
The Head of Digital and Communications presented the new format of the communications plan for the annual report which is a case study-led approach.
The Head of Digital and Communications outlined a comprehensive campaign to promote the annual report, including organic and paid social media, press and PR (national and regional), web updates, and targeted stakeholder bulletins. The campaign will run for three weeks.
Board members discussed the report and suggested sharing content through their own networks, with support from the communications team.
Board members commended the new layout of the report.
12. Q2. Finance, Audit and Risk Committee – Minutes (Draft) – July 29, 2025
The minutes of the last meeting were shared, and the Chair outlined the key points of the meeting for members.
Members heard that cyber awareness training is being arranged for board Members.
13. Q2. Performance and Impact Committee – Minutes (Draft) – September 18, 2025
The minutes of the last meeting were shared.
14. Q2. People Matters Committee – Minutes (Draft) – August 13, 2025
The minutes of the last meeting were shared, and the Chair outlined the key points of the meeting for members.
15. Any Other Business
Publication of Minutes
Members raised if board and committee minutes are being published. Members noted that only board minutes are published currently.
Action 4. Ensure summary minutes for Finance, Audit and Risk Committee are published and confirm publication to the board.
Action Log
- Action 1. Circulate the final reports from the Senedd committees to Performance and Impact Committee members as soon as they become available. NL/AF. As soon as possible.
- Action 2. Complete Companies House director identity verification and send the code to DM for Careers Wales records. Board members. As soon as possible.
- Action 3. Circulate regional staff conference dates with board members. DMM. As soon as possible.
- Action 4. Ensure summary minutes for Finance, Audit and Risk Committee are published and confirm publication to the board. DMM. As soon as possible.
- No further actions recorded
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