About Us

Menter Iaith Gwynedd is a not-for-profit company set up in the summer of 2023 to promote the Welsh language in Gwynedd. The Menter has evolved from 'Hunaniaith: Menter Iaith Gwynedd', which was the Menter that existed before 2023 and was part of Gwynedd Council.

Meet the Team

Menter Iaith Gwynedd has 4 members in the team:

Iwan Hywel (Pwal)

Chief Officer

Brought up in Llangernyw Iwan lives in Tregarth with his wife and three children. Iwan joined as head officer in 2022, following several years as a team leader for Mentrau Iaith Cymru, he previously worked as a career adviser for Careers Wales.

Sport, particularly rugby and football, and camping in Pen Llŷn, are his favourite things.

Meirion Owen (Mei)

Bangor Language Initiative Development Officer

Mei has been working for Menter Iaith Gwynedd, specifically for Menter Iaith Bangor which covers the Ogwen and Felinheli areas, since November 2020. Previously Mei worked in health and wellbeing, working with older people in Conwy, and before that was a qualified teacher.

Born in Bangor, Mei has come back to promote the language in the city, Mei said: "it's a bit of a challenge as old habits are hard to change but we are seeing a change where people have more positive attitudes towards Cymraeg". Mei enjoys joking and making people laugh, being active in his community and being a daily taxi for his children!

Ifan Llewelyn Jones

Language Development Officer

Ifan has been working with Menter Iaith Gwynedd, and Hunaniaith before that, since 2012. He started working in Welsh language promotion twenty years earlier, before moving into various roles in regeneration and community development.  He is originally from Croesor and now lives in Caernarfon. 

When he's not working he likes to spend time with his partner and family, cooking, mountaineering and travelling in Wales, Scotland and abroad.

Osian Rhys Roberts

Language Development Officer- Meirionnydd

Osian is originally from Llanystumdwy and now lives in Llanfrothen. Osian worked for the Urdd before coming to work as our Development Officer for the Meirionnydd area in the summer of 2024.

Osian's main interest is music, an excellent drummer, he strongly believes that music can be used to draw people to, and use more, of the the Welsh language.

Management Board

Since October 2025 these are the 7 members of our Mangement Board:

Anthea Fowler

I'm Anthea. I live in North Wales with my husband and two sheepdogs, Monti and Mali. I am a new Welsh speaker. I've been learning Welsh online with Bangor University since 2021. Career wise I've been working in the third sector as an accountant since 2007.

In my spare time, I like to do more work! I sit on the committee of Tafarn y Plu (community pub) and I give accounts support to a charity, Refugee Community Kitchen. I'm looking forward to encouraging other new speakers to get the most out of using their Welsh in the community.

Eleri Hughes-Jones

Eleri is originally from Dyffryn Nantlle and now lives in Waunfawr with her family.

She graduated in Welsh Language and Literature at Bangor University, and after a period working at Gwynedd Council and the Herald newspaper, started a career in the field of the Welsh language as a Translator at Ysbyty Gwynedd. 

Eleri is now the Head of Welsh Language Services at the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, responsible for translation services, Welsh language training, legislative compliance, as well as promoting and promoting the Welsh language within the organisation.

Eleri has an M.A. in Language Policy and Planning, and a Diploma in management and leadership.

Manon Cadwaladr

Manon is one of the original board members of Menter Iaith Gwynedd. She grew up in Anglesey before going to university in Aberystwyth and now lives in Caernarfon with her family. 

Manon is one of the directors of Cymen, a translation company, and is currently the chair of Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru.

Mared Llywelyn

Mared comes from Morfa Nefyn, and after a period studying at Aberystwyth University she came back to live, work and enjoy in Pen Llŷn

She works as an Education and Volunteering Officer at the Plas Carmel heritage centre, in Anelog at the far end of Llŷn. A playwright, writer and actor, she also leads creative sessions for children and adults. 

Some of her recent works include Croendena (playwright) the trilingual play in Taigh/Tŷ/Teach (playwright) and Parti Priodas (actor).

Mared is a member of the Nant Gwrtheyrn Board, vice-chairman of the Board of Cwmni Theatr Bara Caws, vice-chairman of the Governors of Ysgol Morfa Nefyn, and Chairman of Nefyn Town Council.

She actively campaigned with Hawl I Fyw Adra, and is also the editor of Y Tafod, the Cymdeithas yr Iaith magazine.

Rhian Hodges

Since 2009 I’m a lecturer in the field of Sociology and Social Policy and specifically language policy and planning at Bangor University. I am investigating the use of the Welsh language in the everyday lives of individuals, and I am interested in the field of new speakers of the Welsh language and also Welsh language education. Studying Welsh as a community language is very important to me and I strongly believe in the important work of the language initiatives. I’m a member of the Welsh Communities Commission (2nd Stage) and one of the directors of Menter Iaith Bangor. 

I live with my family in Bangor but still visit the Rhymney Valley often (I’ve kept my accent going so far!) I love sports of all kinds and like to watch Wales play football when possible. I love to travel and visit the Basque Country regularly - what a place and what an inspiration!

Rhys Glyn

I am former head of Gwynedd Council's Immersion Education System and in that capacity have collaborated with Council officers and the Initiative together with Gwynedd Councilors to develop and promote the use of the Welsh language within the County.

Now retired I enjoy spending time babysitting my grandson and attending Ti a Fi, ‘Stori Cân a Chrefft’(Story, Song and Craft) sessions in the library as well as the ‘Swigod’ (Bubbles) session in the Swimming Pool. Providing rich opportunities for our children and young people through the medium of Welsh is key to ensuring that they are allowed to use the language naturally within their communities!

It is a privilege for me to be one of the Directors on Menter Iaith Gwynedd's Board to scrutinize and support the work of Menter into the future!

Siôn Hughes

Siôn is the Policy and Delivery Director of Adra (Tai) Limited housing association, a housing association that manages 7,500 houses across Gwynedd and North Wales and employs 400 staff. He has extensive experience of leading and managing all elements of Adra's work as a member of Adra's Team of Directors. Responsible in his current position for a range of activities including strategic leadership and Adra's Corporate Plan; performance and risk; corporate program and project management. 

He has been a member of the Governors of Ysgol y Gorlan, Tremadog for 5 years and is the current chairman of the body. Siôn has also been a member of the Gwynedd Citizens Advice board for 4 years. 

Siôn lives in Tremadog and is married to Anna, they have 2 children, Elain and Iwan, who both attend Ysgol Eifionydd. 

In his spare time, Siôn works on the family farm in Glanyrafon; follows all kinds of sports and enjoys socializing. 

Siôn is keen to contribute to Menter Iaith Gwynedd's work in a positive way; and to be a cooperative, strategic and balanced Board member.