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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

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

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 walking in the mountains

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.

Torso Silhouette - Placeholder

Language Development Officer- Meirionnydd

Yet to be appointed.

Management Structure

Menter Iaith Gwynedd has 4 volunteer directors who manage the company:​​​​​​

Gareth Thomas

Caernarfon (formerly Penrhyndeudraeth)

Gareth is the first chair of the new Menter.

Ffiona Williams

Penrhyndeudraeth

Before retiring Ffiona was a senior manager at Careers Wales.

Manon Cadwaladr

Caernarfon

Manon is a director of Cymen translation company and is currently chair of Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru.

Walis George

Llanrug

Former chief executive of Grŵp Cynefin, Walis works part time for the community energy company Ynni Ogwen.

Lead Group

Following a call for volunteers in summer 2022 to come together to plan the future of the Menter Iaith in Gwynedd, 11 volunteers joined a new Lead Group.

The above directors were among this crew.  The Lead Group will continue to meet a few times a year to input into the vision and plans of the Menter.

Our aim is to expand this group and develop it into a Menter Iaith Gwynedd member group and ensure representation from all areas of Gwynedd, electing new directors from the group every few years.

Our thanks go to the crew who gave their time over a large number of meetings between 2022-24 to set up the new initiative. Group members are:

  • Dafydd Iwan, Caeathro. Former chair of Hunaniaith's strategic group who pushed the vision of an independent language initiative in Gwynedd.
  • Huw Antur, Llanuwchllyn. Former director of the Urdd camp Glan Llyn.
  • Dr Lowri Hughes, Bangor. Head of Policy and Development at Canolfan Bedwyr.
  • Mair Rowlands, Caernarfon. One of the volunteers who founded Menter Iaith Bangor.
  • Manon Elis-Williams, Rhosgadfan. Extensive experience of management in the third sector.
  • Meleri Davies, Dyffryn Ogwen. Chief Officer at Partneriaeth Ogwen.
  • Rhys Llewelyn, Pen Llŷn. One of the founders of Pwllheli’s Dewi Sant parade.