Board Members

Governance of Links-Wales is provided by a board of volunteers. One of the Directors is also employed by Links to manage operations and all member services.

San Leonard – Chair

Currently employed as a Director of Social Firms Wales, San Leonard is a highly professional businesswoman and entrepreneur who is passionate about working at the heart of community regeneration to develop opportunities that bring about sustainable social change.

Working within family businesses from a very early age, she has successfully grown several business enterprises. Now, with more than 30 years in management and business development within the private sector, she uses that experience whilst working to support the growth of commercially viable social businesses that offer paid employment and career advancement in a mixed ability, supportive business environment.

With considerable first-hand knowledge of working with people with disabilities, San is well placed and understands fully, the need to develop training and work opportunities for people who are often the furthest from the labour market. These valuable experiences and skills are utilised to their fullest in helping and advising organisations who work directly with some of the most excluded groups in today's society.

Successes have been built on both a good understanding of all sectors within the community and the ability to look at the wider vision and opportunities. Recognised by her peers as a clear strategic thinker, San clearly demonstrates the ability to build long-term cross sector supportive relationships.

A well-respected advocate of cross-sector partnership working, she recognises the real benefits that can be accrued by working with other professional practitioners to bring about sustainable social change. She is ever mindful however, that this approach is not a "quick fix" option but more, a long-term solution to address changing attitudes in society.

Mary Harris – Director

Currently employed as Development Manager by Vision 21, a leading charity in training people with learning disabilities for employment, to develop a range of opportunities for V21 to grow its organisational function as a leading provider of vocational training and employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities, both in terms of internal organisational growth – staff development; student accreditation; project development, amongst others and in the external environment – partnership working; funding sources; social enterprise development, innovation and sustainability.

Prior to joining Vision 21 Mary was employed for 13½ years by Scope managing Day Services, developing options for clients and developing NVQ programmes and assessment for staff and clients alike.

Mary has also worked in media sales, finance, hospitality management and other management roles.

Paul Bevan – Director

Paul is employed as Strategy and Development Manager for REACH Supported Living, a not for profit domiciliary care and support agency, which supports people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health problems and older people in South Wales. REACH supports people in their own homes to live the lives they chose as independently as they are able. REACH is part of the Seren Group comprising REACH, Charter Housing Association, Fairlake, Solas and Pen Yr Enfys.

Paul's background includes working with homeless people in London and South Wales for over 20 years. This has included support and outreach work, hostel management, research and policy work, and developing accommodation, support and training services for homeless people. He has been seconded to the Welsh Assembly as an advisor on rough sleeping in Wales, and to local authorities to prepare their homelessness strategies. He has also written guidance which is used by local authorities to monitor rough sleeping throughout Wales.

Since 2003 he has worked for REACH and has been involved in developing new support services for people with learning disabilities and Aspergers, and 'Extra Care' support services for older people which enable them to maintain their independence for as long as possible.

Rob Symons – Operational Director and Company Secretary

Currently employed as Director of Links-Wales, Rob has a career that spans the private and voluntary sectors, with a wealth of management, commercial and presenting experience gained as Director of Technical Business Development at Newbridge Networks (latterly Alcatel Telecom).

Having thrived in the high pressure, high reward world of telecoms, Rob made a life choice to leave the industry and do something that felt more worthwhile. He then spent 4 years working for Business in the Community as a broker, encouraging businesses to engage with voluntary sector projects in their area as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility remit. He was then approached to take over the role of Coordinator at Links-Wales by the incumbent post holder who was retiring.

Able to liaise with representatives of all three sectors at all levels, coupled with first hand experience of dealing with young people with Learning Disabilities through his voluntary work as a Scout Leader, Rob is passionate about driving forward opportunities for people with learning disabilities to maximise their life skills, and enjoy the same opportunities as the rest of us take for granted.

Rob believes that the best way of achieving this goal is through working with other organisations to help them succeed. In particular, he is a strong advocate and facilitator of networking, to spread best practise and learning, and of trading within the sector, such that every pound spent in the sector benefits at least two member organisations.