Special Advisers: register of interests 2024

Special advisers are required to ensure that no conflict arises, or could be perceived to arise, between their public duties and their private interests, financial or otherwise.

Interests must be declared to the Head of Cabinet Division as part of the appointment process. The personal information which special advisers disclose is treated in confidence. All special advisers have submitted a completed declaration of interests form, including nil returns in instances where there was no actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest. Where relevant to the role, and to help manage a perception of conflict or to explain how a conflict is being managed, interests will be published on an annual basis.

The Head of Cabinet Division has considered these returns and deemed that the following relevant interests should be made public.

Interests

• Family member works for Ffilm Cymru. Mr Brennan is recused from any involvement in matters relating to the organisation, should they arise.

Interests

• Trustee of Peak Cymru. Ms Dickins is recused from involvement in matters relating to the work or funding of the Trust should they arise.
• Family ownership of a sheep farm in South Wales. Ms Dickins is recused from involvement in matters relating to the development of agriculture policy.
• Owner of Sarah Dickins Sustainable Economics Consultancy. Ms Dickins will not undertake any work for the company during her tenure as a special advisor.
• Director of Blue Egg Productions. Ms Dickins will cease to hold this role and will not receive income from this business whilst a SpAd. The necessary changes have been made by Companies House.
• Partner is Director of Miller Research UK Ltd. Ms Dickins is recused from any involvement with matters relating to her partner’s business or its clients should they arise.
• Community Councillor for Skenfrith Ward. This role is to be undertaken in line with the requirements of the SpAd Code of Conduct.

Interests

• Member of the Ramblers. Ms Brindley is recused from involvement in matters relating to the work or funding of the association should they arise.

Interests

• Community Governor for Cwm Gwyddon Primary School
• Trustee of Newport Harriers Athletics Club. Ms Marsden is recused from involvement in matters relating to the work or funding of the Trust should they arise.

Interests

• Governor of Ysgol Dyffryn Aman.
• Family member is employed by the Senedd.
• Member of a company that owns the freehold of a property containing leased dwellings (non-director position and non-remunerated). Ms O’Neil will declare an interest where the need arises and then take the appropriate action to recuse herself should that be required.

Interests

• Trustee, UK Mathematics Trust. Ms Wimbury is recused from involvement in matters relating to the work or funding of the Trust should they arise.
• Partner is Board Member North Wales Housing Association, Director, North Wales Citizens Advice and Chief Executive of Gwynedd Citizens Advice. Ms Wimbury is recused from involvement in matters relating to Citizens Advice, should they arise and is also recused from involvement in policy or funding matters for North Wales Housing Association, should they begin to offer extra care facilities.
• National Executive, Cooperative Party. This role is to be undertaken in line with the requirements of the SpAd Code of Conduct.

Interests

• Family member works for the National Trust. Ms Davies will declare an interest and recuse herself from matters in the specific area of her family members work for the National Trust as required.
• Family member works for the Church in Wales. Ms Davies will declare an interest where the need arises and then take the appropriate action to recuse herself should that be required.

Interests

• Local Councillor, City and County of Cardiff. This role is to be undertaken in line with the requirements of the SpAd Code of Conduct.
• Board Member, European Women Lawyers Association. Ms Jones is recused from involvement in matters relating to the Board should they arise.
• Patron, European Movement. Ms Jones is recused from involvement in matters relating to the Movement should they arise.
• Executive, Labour Movement for Europe. This role is to be undertaken in line with the requirements of the SpAd Code of Conduct and Ms Jones is recused from involvement in matters relating to the Movement should they arise.
• Trustee, Safer Wales. Ms Jones is recused from involvement in matters relating to the work or funding of the Trust should they arise.
• Chair, Cooperative Party Council in Wales. This role is to be undertaken in line with the requirements of the SpAd Code of Conduct.
• Lecturer in Law, Cardiff University (paid, part time). Ms Jones will undertake this role on a part time basis until December 2024 when the role will cease. Ms Jones is recused from involvement in matters relating to Cardiff University should they arise.

Special Advisors are entitled to hold trade union membership in a personal capacity, but care must be taken to avoid any actual or perceived conflict of interest with their portfolio roles. SpAds are therefore required to consider the need to declare an interest and recuse themselves, where deemed necessary, from discussions with their Trade Union which relate to Welsh Government policy in their area.