A NEW chief executive has been appointed at Planed, as the community-led development organisation celebrates 30 years of work in Pembrokeshire.

Iwan Thomas joins Narberth-based Planed from the North Wales Economic Ambition Board.

He is well known across Wales for his experience and contribution to the public sector and its collaboration with the private sector.

While with the North Wales organisation, he worked as regional programme manager, with specific responsibility for skills and employment across all six counties and cross-border.

His recent roles included chairing the board of directors for North Wales Science, with responsibility for managing Techniquest in Wrexham; being a member of the board of trustees for Theatr Clwyd and an advisory board member for the Regional Schools & Education Consortia for North Wales.

Said Iwan: "I'm looking forward to working at Planed because of the many affinities between the work and policy areas I am most passionate about: skills, sustainable community developments, promoting local economies and tackling poverty by promoting collaboration.

"I want to bring my experience to support the existing teams at Planed and their consistent high-delivery outputs across Pembrokeshire, and our wider region.

"I'd like to thank the board for their support, and the welcome from the staff as I start my new role, and look forward to continuing their work with Planed, helping to improve quality of life for communities in the county of Pembrokeshire."

*Planed helps communities to focus on their opportunities, harnessing potential and achieve their aspirations. It has four areas of focus - community participation, representation and wellbeing; skills and entrepreneurship; sustainable agriculture and natural resources, and natures, heritage, culture and tourism.