Kathryn Robson
Board Member
Kathryn Robson is the Chief Executive of Adult Learning Wales, the national organisation for adult community learning in Wales. She is committed to being an active upstander for antiracism and equality. A passionate advocate for lifelong learning opportunities, Kathryn is dedicated to advancing adult education and inclusivity, ensuring greater accessibility to learning for communities across Wales.
Born and raised in North Pembrokeshire, Kathryn learnt Welsh as an adult and is committed to establishing bilingual services and expanding access to Welsh-medium provision throughout Wales. She has built a career in post-16 education since 2001, fostering strong partnerships to promote further education and adult community learning. Her work is driven by a commitment to championing opportunities for disadvantaged communities, supporting community learning and advocacy through democratic engagement and a diverse range of formal and informal learning opportunities. This work contributes to the development of active citizenship, skills, and economic growth.
With a background in Human Resource Management since 1995, Kathryn is a Chartered Member of the CIPD and holds a Level 7 qualification in HR Management from Swansea Institute of Higher Education. She is committed to social partnership and brings extensive experience in employee engagement and organisational development across both public and private sectors. Her contributions include membership on the Wales Negotiating Committee for Further Education (WNCFE), where she played a key role in supporting the implementation of the national common contract for the Further Education sector in Wales.
Kathryn is an active member of the Colleges Wales Principals’ Forum and its Audit Committee, as well as a member of the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA). She serves as Chair of the Third Sector Partnership Council’s Education and Training Network. She was also Chair of the External Reference Group for two years, which reviewed adult learning in Wales. Deeply committed to advancing race equality, she is a Board Member and Trustee of Race Council Cymru.
Her advocacy for lifelong learning extends beyond her professional role. Kathryn has held governance roles across primary and secondary education, reflecting her dedication to supporting education at all levels. She was a member of the Welsh Government’s Post-Compulsory Education and Training (PCET) Strategy Board, having served in this role until the board concluded. She also serves on the Education Workforce Council following her public appointment by the Minister for Education and Welsh Language in February 2023. Additionally, she was appointed to the Social Partnership Council by the First Minister in December 2023.