Gerald Kelly
Director of Professional Services, Sony

Since joining Sony UK TEC in 1981, Gerald has developed skills and experience across the breadth of the business before being appointed as Director of Professional Services in 2015. He now oversees a range of departments from human resources to new business development, the quality department, compliance (EHS & Audit), corporate communications, CSR and marketing and liaising with local and government agencies.

He is part of the executive leadership team at Sony UK TEC, which is in its fifth year of successive growth with record profit. Despite being with the business for 38 years, Gerald’s drive to continue learning has seen him achieve many qualifications with CIPD, NEBOSH and IEMA, and in 2018 he attained a Master of Science by Research Degree. Alongside his day job, Gerald is a board member of Business in Focus, a member of the Regional Advisory Board with make.UK (formally the EEF) and a committee member of the High Sheriff of Mid Glamorgan Youth Community Awards.

Rebecca Cooper
Head of People & Development, ACT Training

Rebecca Cooper has been Head of HR at ACT Training, Wales’ largest provider of Work-Based Training employing 370 staff, for 10 years having held previous roles within ACT since 2003. Rebecca has achieved a lot in her current role including supporting the company to achieve a place in the Times Top 100 large companies to work for in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2018 & 2019 as well as retaining Investor’s in People “Gold” status for the past 6 years. Rebecca herself won a Wales HR Award in 2017 for Best HR Practitioner in the Education/Public Sector.

Alison Wright
Director, Calland Wright Consulting

After a successful career in senior operational roles; including a stint as Head of HR for Xerox European Electronics; Alison spent five years with the lawyers; Eversheds; as a Lead HR Consultant. In March 2006 Alison established her independent HR and Employment Practice: Calland Wright Consulting. The consultancy enjoys continued success in delivering comprehensive project support and strategic advice in all sectors and has built influential and longstanding relationships across the client portfolio.

Alison is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD and an accredited mediator.

Genevieve Ryan
Head of HR, Acorn Group

Newport-based Genevieve Ryan, attended St Teilo’s C/W High School in Cardiff and graduated from the University of Glamorgan with an MSc in Human Resource Management.

Genevieve started her career, working in Retail Management, before moving into HR in 2001, and has since held a number of HR roles in retail, telecommunications and business services sectors.

A Chartered Fellow of CIPD, Genevieve joined Acorn as Head of HR in 2006 where she has assisted in a number of major projects such as a number of Group acquisitions including; Concept Staffing, Exxell and Advance.

In addition to her commitment to her work at Acorn, Genevieve enjoys extensive travel, and socialising with her friends and family.

Fiona Sinclair
HR Consultant, Darwin Gray LLP

Fiona joined Darwin Gray in 2006 as an HR consultant. Part of the Employment and HR team, Fiona works closely with the employment lawyers, providing a unified HR and employment law advice service to clients. Fiona specialises in conducting disciplinary and grievance investigations, hearings and appeals, advising on performance management, sickness absence and capability, drafting policies, procedures, handbooks and letters, undertaking consultations on redundancies, transfers of undertakings and changing terms and conditions. She is also an experienced trainer and facilitator. Fiona is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.