Welshpool farmer and Chair of national governing bodies appointed to oversee £800m fund for Wales

A dedicated board of trustees, including Tom Jones who farms near Welshpool and has chaired national governing bodies, has been appointed to shape and govern a new charitable Community Benefit Fund, worth up to £800 million for Wales. following an extensive recruitment period

The fund, developed by Bute Energy, but managed as an independent charity will see the national board of trustees supporting local groups, charities, and organisations through a grants process, designed to elevate existing initiatives and spark new ideas that meet the needs of local people.

Tom brings extensive leadership and governance experience across Wales’ voluntary, cultural, and environmental sectors.

He has chaired major national bodies including the National Lottery Board in Wales and the Millennium Stadium Charitable Trust and has overseen the distribution of tens of millions in charitable funding.

His background spans environmental policy, literature and cultural leadership, youth education, and community development, and he has significant experience designing and administering grant programmes, financial oversight, charity compliance, and supporting community organisations.

Tom is a fluent Welsh speaker and has a strong commitment to strengthening communities through renewable energy, drawing on international models and decades of practical experience.

Tom said: “Rural communities deserve to benefit from their natural rural assets, including renewable energy schemes, in order that they can invest in short and long-term projects and activities that promote their economic, social and cultural wellbeing.”

The newly-appointed board that will support projects and places near the onshore wind energy parks includes: Tom Jones (farmer, and Chair of major national governing bodies from Powys), Catherine Miller (Head of Grants and Income at WCVA from Conwy), Aled Lewis (Director of the Cymru Football Foundation, from Ceredigion), Chris Johnes (CEO of Building Communities Trust, from Cardiff), and appointed representative from the corporate Trustee on behalf of Bute Energy is Catryn Newton (Director of Community Investment and Communications, from Beddau).

Martin Chown, CEO, Bute Energy said: “The calibre of applicants was exceptional, and we’re thrilled with our trustee appointments. Each one brings a wealth of experience and shares our vision to use renewable energy to unlock the places, projects and ambitions for the futures of our communities.”

Committed to maximising positive community impact through this Community Benefit Fund, the Board of Trustees will have access to robust data and insight shaped by extensive local engagement led by the energy developer’s Community Investment team.

Guided by each energy park’s local community grants panel’s own unique insight, it means that the grant funding will address the communities’ unique needs and aspirations.

Corporate Trustee representative Catryn Newton, said "Collectively, we bring years of third sector experience and share a passion and desire to champion and adequately resource the incredible third sector in Wales, to design long-term solutions for some of the most complex social challenges they face.”

Under Catryn’s leadership, Bute Energy has the largest team dedicated to community engagement amongst energy developers in the UK.

The team has invested significantly in communities across Wales to date, demonstrating a genuine commitment to community legacy building.

Support has included backing world champion boxer and community champion Lauren Price, funding women’s football and netball teams, partnering with Dragons RFC to deliver activities for children and older people, and helping Aber Valley Male Voice Choir elevate their profile through a new website delivered as part of the renewable energy firm’s social value programme.

The team has also supported several Young Farmer Clubs to help them deliver key events in their annual calendar, and recently created a dedicated Youth Advisory board which is testament to the long term commitment and drive to represent the aspirations of future generations.

Catryn added: “Over the last six years, we’ve worked incredibly closely with our communities to ensure we’ve got a head start in understanding the aspirations and challenges of the people who live near our energy parks. Soon, the people living and working near our first project in Caerphilly will get their chance to see their own ideas and aspirations become reality within their own communities.

“Aspirations such as equitable access to community energy projects - enabled through the dedication of 25% of the Community Benefit Fund. This is just one of the ways we are working hard to ensure a positive legacy designed and delivered by the community, for the community.”

Located 2km north-west of Caerphilly, Twyn Hywel Energy Park represents the first community who will soon start to benefit from the Community Benefit Fund. Members of this community are already sifting their thinking to long-term solutions with the board of trustees eager to start working closely with a dedicated local panel directing the allocation of funds.

For more information, please visit https://bute.energy/community-investment/community-benefit-fund/