A new member of staff has joined the busy team at the Wales YFC Centre on the Royal Welsh Showground. Iestyn Thomas from Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire is the organisations new Rural Development Officer.

Iestyn, originally from Abermule, Montgomeryshire studied Rural Environment at the University of Wales, Trinity College after following an HND Land Administration course which has helped him to build a varied career all within the land management sector. He enjoys being outdoors, and will be completing his third London Marathon in April, so will soon be asking for your support and sponsorship!

The experience and skills gained from his career are what led him to apply and win this exciting and important role within the Wales YFC.

As the rural development officer, Iestyn will be responsible for administrating and servicing the Wales YFC rural affairs sub-committee including managing the various competitions run by the sub-committee such as the Community and Environment Challenge and the Rural Enterprise Scheme. He will also be responsible for representing the YFC at rural and agricultural related meetings and assisting the committee in developing and delivering rural educational opportunities within Wales YFC and the wider communities in Wales.

Iestyn is not the only new member of staff at the Wales YFC Centre, Helen Evans the new Project Support Officer has also be joined the team, boosting the number to six members of staff all together. The youth movement is one of Europe’s largest rural youth movements which represents young people from 10 to 26 years of age in 12 federations and 160 clubs across Wales.