Gareth was appointed Chair in April 2023 and, with the support of the CEO and Board has led the organisation through a significant period for Team Wales and the wider Commonwealth sporting movement, including preparations for and participation at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago in 2023 and the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Gareth will remain in post until March 2027 to ensure a smooth transition of Board leadership and will continue to support Team Wales through the conclusion of his current board cycle.

The process to recruit a new Independent Chair of Commonwealth Games Wales is now open. The successful candidate will lead Team Wales into the next phase of its Commonwealth journey, including the Commonwealth Youth Games in Malta in 2027 and preparations for the 2030 Commonwealth Games in India.

The recruitment process will seek an individual with the leadership, governance and strategic experience to work with the Board, CEO, staff, athletes, National Governing Bodies and partners to continue developing Team Wales and its role within the Commonwealth sporting movement.

Gareth Davies, Chair of Commonwealth Games Wales, said:

“As I conclude my four-year term as Chair of Commonwealth Games Wales, I reflect with immense pride on what we have achieved together.

The organisation has been through a significant period of change and transformation. We have strengthened our financial position, continued to build a strong and sustainable organisation, and delivered a hugely successful Glasgow 2026 Games that showcased the talent, determination and spirit of Wales on the Commonwealth stage.

None of this would have been possible without the passion, commitment and resilience of the entire Commonwealth Games Wales community. From our athletes and National Governing Bodies to our staff, Board, partners and supporters, I have been privileged to work alongside so many talented and dedicated people who share a belief in what Team Wales can achieve.

It has been an enormous honour to serve as Chair and to play a part in this journey. I leave the organisation in a strong position, with a proud legacy from this cycle and with great optimism for its future. I have no doubt that Commonwealth Games Wales and Team Wales will continue to go from strength to strength.”

Alongside Gareth’s planned departure, Wendy Barbour will also step down from her position as a Non-Executive Director at the conclusion of the current board cycle in March 2027, following 12 years of service on the Commonwealth Games Wales Board.

Wendy has made a significant contribution to Team Wales during her 12 years on the Board, bringing her experience, knowledge and insight to the organisation and supporting Team Wales through multiple Commonwealth Games cycles.

Helen Phillips MBE, President of Commonwealth Games Wales, said:

“2023 – 2027 was a significant transitional period for the Commonwealth Sport movement. The board had clear intent to drive a commercial vision, and the role of the board with the CEO was a critical factor in maintaining this momentum. Our primary role is to provide the best possible environment for our athletes to aspire delivering a personal best performance. The board Chaired by Gareth during this period certainly achieved this. I’d like to thank Gareth for his leadership of the board, contributing his broad experience and sharing our values of good governance and athlete first principles.

Wendy Barbour has been critical in supporting transition and stabilising the financial growth of the Commonwealth Games for 3 cycles, this includes supporting the CEO, Chair and the board across investment and financial portfolio. Wendy was Sponsorship Director for SSE during Glasgow 2014 and it’s apt that she concludes her tenure after the success of Glasgow 2026 – Thank you Wendy for your commitment to knowledge transfer and efficient succession planning”.

The new Independant Chair will take up the role at an important point in Team Wales’ development, with preparations for Malta 2027 already underway and the organisation looking ahead to the next Commonwealth Games cycle.

The Commonwealth Youth Games in Malta will provide the next opportunity for young Welsh athletes to represent Team Wales on the international stage, before the organisation looks towards the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Amdavad, India.

The Board will now progress the recruitment process for Gareth’s successor, with further details of the Chair vacancy and application process available as part of the recruitment campaign.