WEN Wales recruits Catherine Fookes as new director

CATHERINE Fookes has joined the Women’s Equality Network (WEN) Wales from the Organic Trade Board, where she was campaign director.

While at the Organic Trade Board Catherine trebled the membership of the organisation and bought in funding of £10m to grow the sector.

Ms Fookes said: “I am really excited to be joining WEN Wales at such a critical time for women’s equality. Women face discrimination economically, culturally and legally and WEN Wales is committed to working hard with our members to tackle these issues and ultimately reverse them.

Our priorities are to work with our membership to deliver a vibrant and inclusive programme around International Women’s Day on March 8 2018, and also to set up a mentoring project to increase diversity and encourage greater numbers of women enter public and political life.”

Bethan Webber, co-chairwoman of WEN Wales, said: “We are delighted to welcome Catherine to the role of director. Her background in growing a network, building up an organisation and her passion for women’s rights will be extremely useful for the women’s sector in Wales. We are looking forward to Catherine progressing the three-year All Wales Gender Equality project and being a strong voice for women and girls in Wales.”

Michelle Alexis, co-chairwoman of WEN Wales, said: “We are grateful for the support of the Welsh Government under the Equality and Inclusion Programme, as the funding will enable us to increase our inclusivity and attract members whose voices wouldn’t normally be heard under our “Women’s Voices” Programme.