CLA Cymru Team News

Exciting times are ahead for Team Wales as this year, we have taken significant steps to restructure and refocus our efforts to better serve our members and meet the evolving needs of Welsh agriculture. Our goal is to maximise the potential of Wales while providing even greater support and value to our members, recognising the specific needs of our region in terms of policy differences to England.

The most visible change is our move from Merthyr Tydfill to the Royal Welsh Showground, the hub of agriculture in Wales today. Our new address is:

This new location not only places us geographically at the heart of rural Wales but also positions us closer to the communities we support. Being at the showground will enhance our ability to connect with members and stakeholders, offering a more central and accessible base for our operations.

As part of our new structure, we have reviewed roles and responsibilities across the team, to reflect the devolved needs of Wales, particularly as we look ahead to the 2026 election. Our goal is to ensure that we remain agile and responsive to the challenges and opportunities within the sector. Noting the complex array of policy headlines currently facing our membership.

To achieve this, we have restructured the team into four core areas which report to me: Membership, Policy, Communications/External Affairs, and Events. This approach will allow us to be more targeted and effective in delivering our strategic priorities while strengthening our advocacy for rural communities and agricultural businesses.

During this period of change, we said goodbye to two valued colleagues. Chris Lang, who served as our Regional Co-ordinator, and Charles De Winton, our Rural Surveyor, as part of the restructuring process. We would like to take this opportunity to thank them both for their dedication and hard work over the years and wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

Looking ahead, we are actively recruiting for a new Policy Advisor who will focus on Planning and Infrastructure, including Energy. This is a key role that will strengthen our ability to address one of the most significant areas of policy development in Wales. The new advisor will play a pivotal role in ensuring our members interests are vocalised within critical planning and infrastructure issues, particularly as we navigate changes in energy policy and move towards to the next Senedd Government in 2026.

This new structure and strategic focus are designed to enhance our effectiveness and make sure that we continue to provide the highest level of support to our members. We remain committed to being proactive and visible across Wales, advocating on behalf of the rural sector and building strong connections with local communities. As a team we have already achieved a wealth of wins this year and have developed relationships which we believe will help us continue to build on these wins.

These changes mark a new chapter for Team Wales, and I am confident that with our dedicated team and renewed focus, we are well-positioned to meet the challenges ahead. I look forward to continuing to work alongside our members, stakeholders, and partners as we move forward together.

Supported by the team in London, our team are well versed to support you. You can see our full team contact details online on our Wales pages and contact us at wales@cla.org.uk or via phone 01547 317085 (our number has not changed) and we will be more than happy to direct you to the expert to support your enquiry.

The Royal Welsh Spring Fair is in a couple of weeks and we will be in attendance at the pavilion if you would like to pop and have a drink and a chat with our team.