Blueprint Cymru

EPISODE INFO. Gold medallist Mark Colbourne shares his extraordinary journey from a near-fatal accident to the top of the Paralympic podium. Speaking with honesty and eloquence, he reflects on resilience, recovery, and his frustration with a closed-minded Wales. Mark speaks about the opportunities found in change. And that the fear of change is holding Cymru back. ABOUT MARK COLBOURNE Mark Colbour...

EPISODE INFO How does Wales build wealth? Could Tax Haven Cymru be the answer? ABOUT BRAD WILLIAMS Brad Williams: is a corporate consultant and professional boxing judge based in Dubai. He grew up on a council estate in Abergavenny, played rugby for Dragons academy and Wales U16: then moved to London, Birmingham, back to Wales, Australia and after travelling the world has settled, for now, in Duba...

🚀 Help build Wales' future 👉 Donate 👤 Contact 👉 New Wales ✅ SUBSCRIBE to get each weeks episode of Blueprint Cymru. EPISODE INFORMATION Simon announces New Wales' Senedd 2026 elections hub , where you can find out about candidates and all the parties running in May 2026. Also, look out for New Wales' upcoming interviews with 2026 Senedd candidates. Join Simon Hobson as he rounds off series 1...

🚀 Help New Wales build Wales' future 👉 Donor Box 👤 Contact New Wales 👉 Click Here ✅ REMEMBER to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to get each weeks episode of 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Blueprint Cymru. EPISODE INFO. 'If you don't believe in yourself, no one will do it for you', Kobe Bryant. In this episode Gwern speaks his mind. He talks about how to be ambitious for Wales - the actions we can all take to improve our commun...

🚀 Help New Wales build Wales' future 👉 Donor Box 👤 Contact New Wales 👉 Click Here ✅ REMEMBER to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to get each weeks episode of 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Blueprint Cymru. EPISODE INFO. In this episode, Lembit talks about his time as the Liberal Democrats spokesperson for Northern Ireland, and how at that time Sinn Féin laid out to him as to where they intended to take Northern Irish politics....

Daniel Roberts is the head of policy and engagement at Cwmpas. The organisation focuses on supporting Wales' social enterprises, co-operatives, promotes community ownership and digital inclusion. Dan speaks about Cwmpas' manifesto for the 2026 Senedd elections and, what Cwmpas want from Wales' new government. Join Simon Hobson as he speaks with Dan Roberts (ep16). For more information, head to: ne...

Adam Taylor , was the youngest-ever CEO of a Wildlife Trust in Wales , an MBA graduate with distinction, he is a passionate environmental advocate tackling the climate and nature crises. With experience across charity, public and private sectors, Adam has led projects in species reintroduction, youth empowerment, green job creation, and nature-based climate solutions. He serves on the board of Nat...

Sam Parry is a lecturer and researcher at Cardiff Metropolitan University , recently completing a PhD on the interplay of longue durée history, political economy, world-systems analysis, and nationalism. His work explores why regions like Wales face economic challenges within larger states, and how geography, history, and institutions shape outcomes over time. Using case studies from Wales, Catalu...

Jess Blair has led the Electoral Reform Society Cymru since 2017, championing a fairer, more proportional voting system in Wales. She engages with politicians, civil society, and the media, making her a respected voice in Welsh democracy. Holding a master’s in Welsh government and politics from Cardiff University, Jess has experience with the IWA , the Senedd , and the EU in Brussels. She frequent...

Franck Banza is an entrepreneur focused on empowering communities through job creation and economic growth. He founded, The CAE , an organisation dedicated to economic empowerment of people in Wales. Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Franck brings a rich cultural perspective. A native French speaker, he is fluent in English, conversant in Czech and Russian, and is learning Welsh. H...

What needs to change in the Welsh care system?, Why is Wales ahead of the rest of the UK in terms of progressive laws?, How do we build on this and continue to ensure that Wales is a world leader in legislation? Brendan Roberts , a dedicated community councillor in Torfaen , has worked in the civil service, local government and the third sector. His career and activism give him a deep understandin...

Does your knowledge of finance limit your options?, Can you influence the economics of Wales' future?, What are the common misconceptions of financial services? Neil Roberts is a seasoned compliance professional with a career rooted in the financial services industry. Holding a master’s degree in financial services management from the University of South Wales and a bachelor of science in economic...

What is populism?, Where next for Wales: further devolution?, What is UK nationalism?, Does Wales' landscape shape its politics?, What connects Wales to other small nations?, How can Wales innovate to give democracy back to people?, What are the benefits to Wales from being a European country? Anwen Elias is a prominent political scientist specialising in territorial and constitutional politics, n...

How accidently moving to the US forged a career?, What is gravitas and, how does it make you a better leader?, Can the Welsh diaspora change how our nation does business? Jan Griffiths , as the president and founder of Gravitas Detroit , is dedicated to shaping the future of leadership in the automotive industry. A proud Welsh native, she built her career in the United States of America, rising to...

Will Reform UK destroy the Senedd?, Does Mark Drakeford sell stories?, Why does the rest of the UK ignore Wales?, Why is Wales' media is dying?, What is holding Wales back? Will Hayward is a journalist who, after completing his studies at Cardiff University, chose to make Wales his home. Over the past decade, his work and reporting for, among others Wales Online and the Guardian newspaper in the U...

Wales: is our nation doomed? Can we stop the Welsh brain drain? How does Wales become a globalised economy? What makes an entrepreneur return to Wales, and how does the country keep them from leaving in the first place? Dr. Sarah Louisa Birchley : is a seasoned academic, consultant, and researcher with over two decades of experience in Japan. Her speciality covers business administration and entre...

Can every US President claim Welsh descendancy? Where are the Welsh speaking enclaves of North America? Was it only mining which brought Welsh families to the ‘New World’? Robert Humphries : is the inaugural director of the Great Plains Welsh Heritage Centre in Wymore, Nebraska in the USA. He is an independent scholar and translator with a master’s degree in Celtic studies from the University of W...

Is Wales held back by misogyny? Can we rid the world of nuclear weapons? Was the EU good for Wales? Why would you learn Welsh in your teens? What would it take to get Wales a seat at the UN? Jill Evans : is from the Rhondda, an area of mid-south Wales. She is a longstanding member of the Welsh political party, Plaid Cymru. Between 1999 and 2020, Jill served Wales as a Member of the European Parlia...

How does Wales embrace change? And, what would it take to give back your MBE? Mark Colbourne : is a former Paralympic cyclist renowned for his remarkable journey from a life-altering injury to achieving gold at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Mark was brought up in Tredegar. He represented Wales in international volleyball. Then in 2009, he suffered a near-fatal paragliding accident, resulting i...

Meaningless buzzwords? Why is the Senedd dysfunctional? How does Wales make economics work for younger people? Sick of fake promises and empty words? Kiera Marshall wants to flip the script on Welsh politics and make the economy work for you . At 26, Kiera Marshall is one of the youngest rising stars in Welsh politics. After smashing records for Plaid Cymru in Cardiff at the 2024 general election,...

How does Wales build wealth for itself? What are the paths to attracting and keeping talent in Wales? Are places like Dubai models to be emulated? And, how do you get to play rugby for Wales and become a Guinness World record holder? Brad Williams : is a corporate consultant and professional boxing judge based in Dubai. He grew up on a council estate in Abergavenny, played rugby for Dragons academ...