Young Leader (14 -25 years) sponsored by NatWest Cymru
The shortlist – click on a name to read their personal “Leadership Story”
Martyn Elliott – (Cadet Force Adult Volunteer & D of E Leader)
Daniel Rowbotham – Chair of Youth Forum), Urdd Gobaith Cymru
Caryl Thomas – Sparkles Solutions Ltd
Martyn Elliott
Role: Cadet Force Adult Volunteer and Duke of Edinburgh Award Leader
Organisation: Army Cadet Force (ACF) and Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE).
How has your life experience made you the leader you are today?
My experience as an Army Cadet and DofE Participant helped shape me into who I am today. Both organisations foster an environment in which you are taught to lead and work together as a team, valuing each team member along with focusing on helping individuals in need. I became more confident and was pushed outside my comfort zone, which helped me understand team dynamics from a young age. All of these attributes have given me the ability and strength to thrive in my leadership roles, guiding those who need it most and inspiring those I lead, to achieve things they never thought they could even start.
What have been the main highlights and challenges since taking up your leadership role with the ACF and DofE?
In large organisations like the ACF & DofE it can be challenging to meet deadlines, especially around a full time job; planning lessons, public events, liaising with the local community, conforming to health and safety criteria standards and of course keeping up with cadet expectations are all challenges in their own right. However, these are all outweighed by seeing a once shy, self-conscious young person, radiate with confidence as they achieve a personal goal, receive a promotion or lead a team of their own. This for me is what leadership is all about.
What have been the most helpful things you have learnt from these highlights and challenges?
Patience: In my role working with 12 to 18 year olds patience is sometimes the key to what a young person needs in order to succeed. They may not get that patience at home or in other aspects of their life, and by allowing them a little more than they get elsewhere, they often thrive given the opportunity.
What do you think is the biggest issue facing leaders in Wales in 2016?
Speaking as a young leader, I believe the biggest issue is trying to get the experience to lead; it can be difficult being young and stepping up into a leadership role. People can often doubt your subject knowledge or your ability to effectively lead a team.
Which other leaders in Wales do you admire and why?
Simon Weston OBE. Such an inspiring, selfless individual committed to fighting rightful causes on behalf of others. After enduring such life changing injuries whilst trying to save lives, Simon turned his life around and went on to lead campaigns, give motivational speeches and became the patron of many worthy charities.
What is one word that sums up leadership for you?
Integrity
Daniel Rowbotham
Role: Chair of Urdd’s National Youth Forum
Organisation: Urdd Gobaith Cymru
How has your life experience made you the leader you are today?
I feel very lucky and privileged to have had numerous and various opportunities throughout my life so far. Be it as a member of the Urdd in Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire, a member of the school council in Ysgol Uwchradd Tregaron or a Student Ambassador and International Buddy in University of Wales, Trinity Saint David. I have gained valuable experiences and gained knowledge throughout these different roles. I have learned on the way, and worked with great and influential leaders academically, socially and politically. I feel I have gained attributes that will assist me within my current roles and the future.
What have been the main highlights and challenges since taking up your leadership role with Urdd Gobaith Cymru?
My main highlight to this date is being the Chair of the National Youth Forum and President of the Urdd. I have grown up being a member of the Urdd, so having the opportunity to lead and chair the youth forum is an utter most privilege. I am blessed with working alongside an enthusiastic and strong team of young people. My main challenges include changing people’s prospective and opinions of young people. I hope I have led through example and have ensured that young people’s voices are heard, listened and actioned upon.
What have been the most helpful things you have learnt from these highlights and challenges?
Never give up! Keep knocking on those doors and one day someone will open the door and listen to you. It’s been a challenge to get people to listen to the voice and opinions of young people, but I’m happy to say that the Urdd’s door is always wide open!
What do you think is the biggest issue facing leaders in Wales in 2016?
There are many great leaders within Wales, who do their best to put Wales on the world map, economically, politically and socially. Their biggest challenge is getting their message across and making sure that Wales is listened to, and that we are a country with a voice, with our own language and our own government!
Which other leaders in Wales do you admire and why?
I admire many leaders, but at the moment I think that Leanne Wood is doing great job as a leader. She has a strong voice and never forgets her roots and local issues are important to her. I also admire the inspirational Tim Rhys-Evans. A man who is so passionate in what he does, his enthusiasm is electric and transfers this to the people he works with.
What is one word that sums up leadership for you?
Action!
Caryl Thomas
Role: Owner
Organisation: Sparkles Solutions
How has your life experience made you the leader you are today?
From the various work based roles I’ve undertaken from weekend jobs to a gap year on a graduate role to then being self employed and meeting a wide array of leaders and managers, I’ve come across a great variety of leaders who each have their own unique view on how to lead people. Through the experience of seeing the variety in different aspects of leadership, this has helped me to develop into the leader I am today and to be able to take the qualities I admire most and incorporate into my interpretation of true leadership.
What have been the main highlights and challenges since taking up your leadership role with Sparkles Solutions?
The main highlight for me has been creating an ethical workplace where my staff enjoy working, The main highlight for me has been creating an ethical workplace where my staff enjoy working, through this we have seen great growth and in turn been rewarded with business accolades, work with the BBC and I have also been asked to speak at my University’s Graduation ceremony.
One of the biggest challenges has been launching into new services, all of which with a solid business plan and determination have been overcome and learned from.
What have been the most helpful things you have learnt from these highlights and challenges?
The most helpful thing that has been learnt in regards to these aspects is that hard work always pays off. Even when you face busy overwhelming times, perseverance and hard work will always keep you in line with your goals.
What do you think is the biggest issue facing leaders in Wales in 2016?
Even in a modern environment, one of the largest issues is instilling belief in those who have strong aspirations of being future leaders – there is an overall thought in people that they ‘can’t’.
I have been fortunate to be made a Young Ambassador for the Welsh Government’s Big Ideas Wales to help instil belief in young people and their ideas and to help them see why they can.
Which other leaders in Wales do you admire and why?
Annette Chin – Taskforce Paintball
I have been very lucky to work closely with Annette who is my mentor. When the need came, she diversified her business and expanded her services and for this reason she is a wonderful role model for me as I have recently expanded into a number of additional services too.
What is one word that sums up leadership for you?
Resilience
Disclaimer: All details included in these leadership stories have been provided by the finalists themselves. All information has been accepted in good faith. Any references to individuals or circumstances have been relayed in the finalist’s own words and have not been verified by the Leading Wales Awards Directors or its Consortium. Any views expressed are those of the individuals concerned and are not necessarily the views of the Leading Wales Awards Directors or Consortium members.