Our CEO Bernadette Bowen-Thomson has been nominated and a finalist for the 2025 IOD Cymru 'Director of the Year' Public & Third Sector category award.
This is a proud moment for Safer Wales and in recognition on how Bernie has steered Safer Wales to deliver our vision, purpose and values for people and communities in Wales. Bernie has ensured Safer Wales has held on to its values and purpose, through continual service development for the most vulnerable people in Wales.
Bernie has achieved this by creating a culture across our teams, encouraging questions, exploring how developments and decisions align with our purpose.
As a strategic leader of a Charity that directly employs youth workers, safeguarding specialists, specialist Project Workers, Radio DJ’s and Volunteers. Bernie is accountable for delivering across our communities, engaging partners including Welsh Government, Local Authorities, Voluntary Sector, Health, Policing, Courts, Probation and Prison.
“I am so proud to have been nominated and now a finalist for the IOD Cymru Director of the Year award. Leading a charity I deeply care about, and the impact my whole team who deliver services make to some of the most marginalised people and communities in Wales is a privilege that I do not take for granted. I want to wish the other finalists Clair Swales, Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations, Heather Anstey-Myers, Hybu Cig Cymru and Rhian Mannings, 2wish Cymru, who are all women the best of luck” Bernie Bowen-Thomson CEO
Many people engaging with Safer Wales have experienced significant trauma (eg violence, sexual exploitation, coercive control, child sexual abuse). Many are involved in, or at risk of becoming involved in the criminal justice system and many people have been let down by systems that do not ‘see’ them. Working with multi-agency partners and informed through our services, we can really make a positive impact on people’s lives.
