The Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport is a member of the cabinet in the Welsh Government. The current officeholder is Heledd Fychan since May 2026. It was previously a non-cabinet role known as the Deputy Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Welsh: Dirprwy Weinidog y Celfyddydau, Chwaraeon a Thwristiaeth), accountable to the cabinet minister for the economy. Established in 2014, the last officeholder was Dawn Bowden from May 2021 to March 2024.
| Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport of Wales | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Welsh Government | |
| Style | Welsh Minister |
| Status | Cabinet Minister |
| Abbreviation | Culture Secretary |
| Member of | |
| Reports to | the Senedd, the First Minister of Wales |
| Seat | Cardiff |
| Nominator | First Minister of Wales |
| Appointer | The Crown |
| Term length | Four years Subject to elections to the Senedd which take place every four years |
| First holder | Ken Skates AM |
| Website | gov |
List
edit| Name | Picture | Entered office | Left office | Other offices held | Political party | Government | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism | ||||||||
| Ken Skates | .jpg) |
11 September 2014 | 20 May 2016 | Labour | Second Jones government | [1][2] | ||
| Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism
Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism | ||||||||
| Dafydd Elis-Thomas | .jpg) |
3 November 2017 | 2021 | Independent | Third Jones government | [3][4][5] | ||
| Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport
Deputy Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism | ||||||||
| Dawn Bowden | .JPG) |
13 May 2021 | 20 March 2024[6] | Chief Whip (–May 2023)[7]
Gained Tourism portfolio in February 2023.[8] |
Labour | Second Drakeford government | [3][9] | |
| Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport | ||||||||
| Heledd Fychan | .jpg) |
13 May 2026 | Incumbent | Chief Whip, Trefnydd | Plaid Cymru | ap Iorwerth government | [10] | |
Responsibilities
editThe responsibilities of the post were:[11]
- Assist in establishing, growing, and developing businesses, by providing support (including export support) and advice
- Inward investment support
- Policy on international trade
- Information regarding entrepreneurship, enterprise and businesses
- Development Bank of Wales
- Economic Advisory Panel
- Council for Economic Development and Social Partnership Strategy Group
- Promoting Wales as a Business and Investment location
- Cardiff Capital Region City Deal and Swansea Bay City Deal
- Mid Wales Growth Deal and North Wales Growth Deal
- Manage economic development-related Welsh Government-owned property
- Services for business development and business skills
- Careers Policy and sponsoring Careers Choices Dewis Gyrfa (CCDG)
- Policy and delivery of Apprenticeships
- Policy and delivery of Youth and Adult employability
- Learning providers based on work
- Sector skills
- Developing Workforce skills
- Skills and employment-related European programmes
- Regional Skills Partnership
- National Occupational Standards
- A responsible business practices, competitiveness and growth regulatory framework
- Foundational Economy
- The social economy and Social Enterprise
- The co-operative economy
- Science
- Science policy development, including regular liaison with the Chief Scientific Adviser for Wales and the National Science Academy
- Life Sciences
- Research and Innovation, including knowledge transfer, research and development, and commercialisation, leading to the maximisation of innovation and research incomes, and Research Centres of Excellence
- Infrastructure for digital connectivity, such as the Public Sector Broadband Aggregation, and fast broadband and mobile
- Cross Government Digital and Data Policy & Strategy
- Major events
- Culture, the arts and creativity, including Creative Wales
- Policy on broadcasting
- Sponsoring the Arts Council of Wales and deciding its responsibilities
- Tourism in Wales (both within Wales and to Wales)
- Hospitality
- The historic environment of Wales
- Cadw
- Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales
- Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales
- National Library of Wales
- Developing a National Archive for Wales
- National Botanic Garden of Wales
- Elite sport
- Community sport, active recreation and physical activity, sponsorship of Sports Council for Wales
- The Valleys taskforce and programme
- 2014–2020 European Structural and Investment Funds
- Shared Prosperity Fund / Community Renewal Fund
The post-holder notably announced a registration and licensing scheme for all visitor accommodation in Wales.[12] The post is accountable and deputy to the Minister for the Economy.[13]
See also
edit
References
edit- ↑ "Welsh cabinet reshuffle sees culture brief moved". Museums Association. 12 September 2014. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ↑ "Ken Skates on imposter syndrome, stepping back and how the pandemic changed his priorities". ITV News. 16 November 2021.
- 1 2 "Dawn Bowden appointed deputy minister for arts in Welsh Government". Museums Association. 18 May 2021. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ↑ "Wales' new first minister Mark Drakeford appoints his team". BBC News. 13 December 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ↑ "First Minister appoints new Ministerial team | GOV.WALES". www.gov.wales. 3 November 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ↑ "Wales' new First Minister Vaughan Gething announces his cabinet". ITV News. 21 March 2024.
- ↑ Jones, Branwen (3 May 2023). "Mark Drakeford reshuffles cabinet to make longtime ally chief whip". Wales Online. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ↑ Hughes, Owen (16 February 2023). "Wales gets new tourism minister who faces a baptism of fire over visitor levy". North Wales Live. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ↑ Mosalski, Ruth (13 May 2021). "Live updates as Mark Drakeford overhauls Welsh Government cabinet". Wales Online. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ↑ "New First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth to announce new Plaid Cymru cabinet". ITV News. 13 May 2026.
- ↑ "Dawn Bowden MS: Deputy Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism | GOV.WALES". www.gov.wales. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ↑ "Welsh government unveils plans for licensing..." The Caterer. 10 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ↑ "Welsh Government organisation chart | GOV.WALES". www.gov.wales. 2 January 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2024.