Literature Wales appoints Dr Cathryn Charnell-White as new Chair of its Management Board
Literature Wales is pleased to announce Dr Cathryn Charnell-White as its new Chair.
At the latest Management Board meeting on Thursday 20 May 2021, academic and poet Dr Kate North stepped down as Chair after completing the mandated length of office set out in the organisation’s Articles of Association.
At the same meeting, the Directors unanimously elected Cathryn Charnell-White to succeed Kate North as Chair of Literature Wales.
Lleucu Siencyn, Chief Executive of Literature Wales said: “On behalf of Literature Wales, I wish to thank Kate North for her dedication and leadership during her time as Chair. She has helped us shape a strong vision for the organisation, based on social justice, equality and the firm belief in the power of literature to transform lives. We are delighted that Cathryn Charnell-White has been elected as our new Chair. Her contributions to the Board during her existing term has been invaluable, and she will lead the organisation into its next chapter with confidence, commitment and a strong set of values.”
Cathryn Charnell-White is Head of Department of Welsh and Celtic Studies at Aberystwyth University. Her research focuses on Welsh identity, women and poetry in Early Modern Wales. She was the departmental Equality and Diversity Champion (2018–20) and sat on the central committee for equality and diversity. She is an advocate for ensuring that students see themselves reflected in the curriculum and has developed a new module in partnership with the Department of Theatre Film and Television called ‘Testunau’r Enfys’ (Rainbow Texts), which will be the first LGBT+ module of its kind in a Welsh Department. She has also served as a Council Member for the Books Council of Wales. Cathryn was elected as a Literature Wales Board Member in November 2019.
Cathryn Charnell-White said: “It will be a great honour to chair Literature Wales’s Management Board as we enter a new decade in our present form. I look forward to leading discussion on our new strategic plan, and specifically to driving projects which focus on well-being and under-representation, and ensuring close collaboration with partners in the sector to ameliorate the effects of COVID-19 on our literary culture.”
Cathryn’s appointment as Chair comes as Literature Wales notes its 10th anniversary as the national company for the development of literature. The Management Board includes 12 Directors, all ranging from various professional and creative backgrounds, who contribute essential skills and knowledge to shape its activity and strategy.
For further information about Literature Wales’ Management Board, visit: https://www.literaturewales.org/about/management-board/