board member profiles
Kevin Ward (Chairman)
Kevin edited two daily newspapers – the Worcester Evening News & the South Wales Argus – during a 32-year career in journalism. Since 2017, he has been running his own media, communications & management consultancy, Kevin Ward Media Ltd. The company’s clients include Newport Now, the city's Business Improvement District.
A Newport resident since 1989, Kevin is active as a volunteer in a number of organisations in the city including the City of Newport Business Club and the Newport Business Against Crime Partnership. Kevin has a Masters degree in Business Administration.
Phil Tilley (Vice Chair)
Phil is now retired having spent nearly 30 years in the telecommunications industry with over 20 years of global product marketing experience. Based out of Newport he lead and developed teams around the world. Travelling with trainers and gym kit was the norm as he developed a love for early morning running and indoor rowing. This led to regular participation in triathlons culminating in Ironman Wales and the inaugural Newport Marathon in 2018. Throughout this time he maintained a passion for sailing and has been heavily engaged in many aspects of the sports governance.
Following retirement, he committed himself to the third sector and has become a Sport Wales board member and charity trustee, always looking to improve the physical activity and well being of people in Wales.
Cllr James Clarke
James was born in London after his parents moved there from Cardiff, he was schooled in West London and Hong Kong and now has lived in Newport for over 18 years. James was elected as a City Councillor in May 2017. He was appointed to Cabinet after being re-elected in 2022 and at present he is the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Business Growth. James has also been a Magistrate for over 10 years, mostly sitting in Newport and Cwmbran, when not working he likes to spend time with his family and catching up with friends.
Cllr Deb Davies
Deb trained and qualified to become a Registered Nurse whilst living in Southampton. The greater proportion of her nursing career was then spent in the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport, specifically focussing on the palliative support and care of patients with end stage respiratory disease following a move to Wales in 1992.
In 2012 Deb became an elected councillor in Newport representing Beechwood ward, and has subsequently held a number of cabinet roles and positions, including City Services, Works and Skills, as well as Sustainability.
Deb is currently the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education and Early Years and has held these responsibilities for the last three years. With over 20 years of experience as a school governor, and the chair in two schools this experience informs her ability to determine the strategic priorities in education. More recently Deb's cabinet responsibilities have expanded to take on early years provision as well as overseeing the youth service. Additionally, Deb has Human Resources as part of her brief.
Deb works closely with the Council Leader and regularly deputises for them at civic events as well as representing the city in strategic meetings with Welsh Government and other bodies.
Katija Dew
Katija (Teej) has had a varied career from medical research to national public policy; focussing on how the third sector can contribute to the economy and wellbeing across Wales. With a particular interest in public health, Teej is an Independent (Board) Member of Aneurin Bevan Health Board and balances that with caring for her mother who is living with dementia.
She has various voluntary commitments consistent with her values, including as Co-Event Director of Riverfront parkrun and Inclusion Officer at Lliswerry Runners.
Beverley Flood
A Chartered CIPD Practitioner and experienced HR professional with 20+ years of experience in both the private and not-for-profit sectors, recently awarded CIPD HR30 for 2025. Beverley is impassioned about supporting people to thrive and succeed within work and across the community. Born and living in Newport all her life, Beverley has deep community roots and seeks to make a difference by listening to the voices of people across Newport and beyond.
At home, Beverley is a mum to her two children, both who attend a local comprehensive school in Newport, wife and proud owner of a mini schnauzer. Beverley spends her spare time as a Community Governor for a local Primary school whilst also supporting the wider Wales community needs as Head of People Services for Welsh Ambulance Services University Trust.
Marie-Claire Griffiths
Marie-Claire grew up in Caerleon, immersed in Newport’s proud history and strong sense of community. Educated at Caerleon Comprehensive School, she learned the significance of local identity and developed an early connection to the city through her work in Newport’s vibrant music venues. This experience provided insight into the dynamic yet delicate nature of Newport's growth, fuelling her enduring passion for its success.
Marie-Claire has over 16 years' professional experience in healthcare across Wales, specialising in workforce planning, service improvement, and strategic change. Her NHS career began at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board in 2007, where she quickly demonstrated her ability in strategic workforce management and healthcare planning. She subsequently established critical planning systems and structures, facilitating significant improvements in patient care and organisational efficiency.
Career highlights include founding the Programme Management Office for NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership, playing a pivotal role in creating regional vascular services at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, and initiating the pioneering Hospital to Home Service at Swansea Bay Health Board.
Returning to her roots in 2023, Marie-Claire currently serves as Head of Strategic Planning for Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, leading the development of a transformative ten-year strategy aimed at improving health and wellbeing across Gwent. Her innovative approach to public engagement has connected with over 7,000 residents across Gwent – one of the largest public engagements in NHS Wales history - ensuring the strategy genuinely reflects the community's diverse needs.
Marie-Claire's local insight, professional expertise, and commitment to community-driven change uniquely position her to champion Newport’s future, ensuring the city continues to thrive culturally, socially, and economically.
Sian Hartstill
Sian is a Director at Unseen UK, where she’s on a mission to help end modern slavery - and she’s not afraid to roll up her sleeves to do it. With a career spanning charities, higher education, hospitality and the media, she’s worn many hats in marketing, fundraising, and external relations. An experienced leader, Sian thrives on developing people, building inclusive teams, and sparking meaningful change.
Born and bred in Newport, Sian’s still proudly rooted in the city that shaped her. When she’s not tackling big issues at work, you’ll find her on the netball court, pounding the pavements on a run, or out walking her dog - probably thinking about what to have for tea.
David Hayhoe
David is a qualified accountant with many years of experience working in the coal industry in South Wales, Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire before returning to Wales to join a large social housing, support and care provider, latterly as Group Finance Director.
He has a wide interest in sports of all kinds, particularly association football and is also a keen amateur artist.
Richie Turner
Richie has worked in the arts, creative industries, and higher education sector in Wales for over 35 years with senior roles in Nesta, Arts Council of Wales, and the University of Wales. He jointly founded Nofit State Circus, led Wales’ first multicultural arts company (CADMAD) and has undertaken R&D projects with numerous organisations across Wales from Monmouthshire Council to Artis Community and BECTU.
He currently works for the University of South Wales managing their graduate and community entrepreneurship programmes under the Startup Stiwdio brand and recently stepped down after 23 years, from teaching on the MA Arts Management at RWCMD. Previously a Non-Executive Board member for Creative Wales and a voluntary board member of Gentle/Radical and he spent 9 years as a Council Member at ACW (with responsibility for equalities).
He also runs his own research, policy and production company - Richie Turner Associates - where he has undertaken the feasibility study for the forthcoming UK disability arts access card scheme, has led the disability aspect of ACW and Amgueddfa Cymru's Widening Engagement research programmes, plus ran Culture Change (Wales arts sector Anti-Racism Project) and was Community Producer for Llangollen International Eisteddfod.
Richie Chairs Newport Live Arts Panel.
Ethylle Bering (Associate Trustee)
Ethylle migrated from the Philippines to Newport at the age of seven, an experience that shaped her early commitment to youth and community development. Having seen Newport from multiple perspectives, she developed a strong passion for promoting equity and health through meaningful engagement in the arts and housing sectors. Her dedication to inclusivity, diversity, and social impact has led her to play a key role in empowering communities to shape services and initiatives that drive positive change.
With a firm belief in representation and accessibility, Ethylle actively contributes to the advancement of equality, diversity, and inclusion. She sits on Sport Wales’ EDI committee, Pobl’s FREDIE Steering Group, and EYST’s Race Advisory Group, where she lends her expertise in public health, engagement strategies, and community-led initiatives to ensure equitable opportunities for all.”
executive team profiles
Steve Ward - Chief Executive
Steve has 20 years experience of working in high performance sport, national governing bodies of sport and local government. He created the business model for Newport Live whilst working as the Head of Service for Newport City Council before leaving to take up the challenge of delivering the vision.
Steve held a privileged role of Performance Director of a GB Paralympic National Governing body where he created the high performance programme, led and coached athletes and teams who have become World and Paralympic champions - the greatest set of people he has ever met and they inspire him still with their attitude to life.
He is a proud to be from Newport and driven to lead our great team at Newport Live and make the organisation a very successful not for profit, charitable organisation which change the lives of local people in ways they will never know, inspiring them to be the best they can be in all that they do.
Andrea Ovey - Director of Business Development
Andrea joined the Executive team in July 2016 as Commercial Director, and became Director of Business Development in March 2020.
A proud Newportonian, she has a wealth of experience across the fields of Sales and Marketing and Business Development. Andrea spent 20 years in the Advertising Industry, including the post Head of Display Advertising at Newsquest. Andrea was responsible for the advertising team at The South Wales Argus regional office in Newport, across the print and digital portfolio, as well as branch offices across Caerphilly, Penarth and Barry.
Andrea brings her knowledge, both commercial and strategic to Newport Live. she is responsible for Newport Live's core Sports Programmes including Health, Fitness & Wellbeing, Aquatics, Cycling and Tennis, alongside the Community Sport & Wellbeing programmes, Theatre, Arts and Culture and PR, Communications and Marketing, an important and broad portfolio across the charity.
She is keen to see the Newport Live values along with its passion to inspire people to become happier and healthier developed further, through participation in sport, lesiure, theatre, arts and culture.
Neil Sargeant - Director of Operations
Neil has worked in the Leisure industry both in the UK and abroad for over 20 years. Most of his time has been spent in the public sector but has worked in private and charitable organisations also. Neil enjoys working with colleagues and customers to find solutions and improve service.
Neil has a broad range of experience across health and safety, management, delivery and operational quality auditing. Neil regularly enjoys challenging himself with marathons, long distance swims, triathlons and cycling. He also enjoys time with the family.