Title: Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services
Party: Welsh Labour
Constituency: Neath
Contact information
Office Address:
7 High Street
Pontardawe
Swansea
SA8 4HU
Phone: 01792 869993
Assembly Address:
National Assembly for Wales
Cardiff Bay
Cardiff
CF99 1NA
Phone: 029 2089 8750
Email: Gwenda.Thomas@Wales.gov.uk
Terms of office
- 07/05/1999 - 30/04/2003
- 02/05/2003 - 02/05/2007
- 04/05/2007 - 31/03/2011
- 06/05/2011 -
Additional Information
Personal history
Gwenda Thomas was born in Neath and educated at Pontardawe Grammar School. She is married with one son and is a former community and county councillor.
Professional background
Gwenda was previously a civil servant, having served in the County Courts branch of the then Lord Chancellor's Department as an Executive Officer, and then at the Benefits Agency.
She represented her home village of Gwaun Cae Gurwen as both a community and county councillor for many years. She was appointed Chair of the Social Services Committees of West Glamorgan County Council and, following local government reorganisation, of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council - becoming the first woman to chair a major committee.
Until her ministerial appointment in 2007, Gwenda was Chair of the Governing Body of Ysgol Gynradd Gwaun Cae Gurwen Primary School.
Political history
Gwenda was first elected to the Assembly in May 1999. During her career as an Assembly Member, she has served as Chair of the Housing Committee, Chair of the Assembly’s Equality of Opportunity Committee, chaired a review into Safeguarding Vulnerable Children in Wales and has been Deputy Minister for Social Services.
Her interests include health, social services, children’s issues, local government and the voluntary sector.
