Catherine Bailey Thomas

Welsh Speaker - Hello, my name is Catherine and I am delighted to be a Business Wales mentor.  My passion and belief in mentoring stem from witnessing first-hand the transformational impact it can have.  I enjoy supporting others, especially when perhaps things are not going quite to plan in their lives or perhaps they want to take a new career direction. There are occasions when someone may need encouragement to keep going with their business venture or perhaps a confidence boosting 1:1 chat to remind them of their worth. Perhaps that’s you? 
I am a Welsh speaker, raised in Carmarthenshire, who has held roles at both organisational and managerial 'level in the public and third sectors, as well as in the political domain. I understand how government at Local, Senedd, Westminster and European level functions and am a former Assembly Member. My wide ranging interests include community regeneration, housing, design and the built environment. Linked to all these interests is a passion and commitment to equal rights and equitable outcomes for all. I am an experienced Non-Executive Director and currently sit on the board of Chwarae Teg, the charity leading and delivering gender equality in Wales.
The diverse, transferable skills set I possess has been developed and honed over 25 years.  I am now investing those skills in my own company - Catherine Bailey Thomas Consulting Ltd.  Included in my portfolio of services are coaching and mentoring for individuals and groups up to executive and senior management level and also public speaking coaching. As a qualified interior designer I have a particular interest in creating functional, comfortable and aesthetically pleasing spaces in which to work effectively. The shift to home based working has grown significantly and it is likely to become the norm.  Consequently, for many a great work space at home is now essential and I’m very much enjoying developing that aspect of my business.