Cymraeg

Winter School 2025 - more information

For more information, please contact the team by emailing Winter School.

Nazir Afzal OBE, was Chief Crown Prosecutor for NW England and formerly Director in London. He was Chief Executive of the country’s Police & Crime Commissioners and most recently, National Adviser to the Welsh Government. During a 30 year career, has prosecuted the most high-profile cases in the country & advised on many others and led nationally on several legal topics including Violence against Women & Girls, child sexual abuse, and honour-based violence. He had responsibility for more than 100,000 prosecutions each year. His prosecutions of the so-called Rochdale grooming gang and hundreds of others were groundbreaking and changed the landscape of child protection.

He is the Chancellor of the University of Manchester – the largest one site university in the U.K., the most popular university in the U.K. for applications, the number 1 university for employability, 28th globally, 44.000 students, 13000 staff, 550.000 alumni, 25 Nobel Prize Winners

He is incoming Chair of the Lowry Theatre – the “National Theatre of the North.”

He is Chair of the Church of England National Safeguarding Panel

He is on the board of the new Creative Industries independent Standards Agency

Strategic Adviser to the People’s Powerhouse

He sat on the Independent Press Standards Organisation

Patron of the Association of Safeguarding Partners

He sits on the National Police Chiefs Ethics Committee

He was the first ever independent Chair of the Catholic Church’s Safeguarding Agency.

He is advisor to Bikal Technologies (UK) Ltd., who develop Artificial Intelligence and 5G product, largely using research from universities to transfer into a commercial product.

He was Chair of the Independent Review of Culture of London Fire Brigade and the Nursing & Midwifery Council

He is Trustee of WOW (World of Women) Foundation

His memoirs “The Prosecutor” published in 2020 are currently being adapted for a British multipart drama. His new book “The Race to the Top” was published in Sept 2022. His BBC R4 ‘Desert Island Discs’ programme was the 3rd most listened to in 2021.

Nazir is a tutor for several leadership programmes in the public and private sector. He has made presentations to dozens of diverse organisations in this country and abroad. He has given hundreds of interviews in all forms of media. Nazir gives a considerable amount of time to charitable work and is trustee & Patron of several NGOs including ServiceSix, DVAssist, Jan Trust, Samantha Sykes Foundation, Karma Nirvana, Halo Project & SaveraUK and was Chair of the Prince of Wales’ Mosaic Trust.

He is an Honorary Fellow of the University of Central Lancashire and Glyndwr University and awarded Honorary Doctorates in Law by the University of Birmingham, Manchester, Bradford, Leicester & London South Bank Universities. He has chaired conferences in New York, Madrid, Paris, Norway and Geneva. He has assisted the Governments of Somalia, Ukraine and Pakistan on Rule of Law reform.

Nazir has received many accolades, in 2005, he was awarded an OBE by the Queen for his work. He has also had the honour of being the only lawyer to ever prosecute a case before the Queen. In 2007, he received the UK Government’s Justice Award 2007 and was awarded the Daily Mirror newspaper “People’s award” voted for by readers. Nazir was also selected for the Asian Power 100 along with the Muslim Power 100 list, recognised as one of the 100 most influential leading Muslims and Asians in the UK.  He is listed in the Pakistan Power100 which regards him as one of the 100 most influential people of Pakistani origin in the world today. He was Asian Media Group’s “Man of the Year 2012.” Most recently, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Pride of Birmingham awards 2022. He was awarded the first ever “Disruptor for Good” award at the Northern Power Women Awards 2022.

The acclaimed BBC Film “Three Girls” was based on his case

“An inspiring figure, forensically intelligent” - Times Editorial Nov 2012

“Until recently crimes encountered by pioneering prosecutor rarely troubled a courtroom, now these issues have risen to the top of the Policy agenda” – The Independent July 2012

“The authentic face of British Justice” – New York Times Saturday Profile 2013

SIY Global Leadership

Natalia Bojanic has facilitated workshops in a wide range of settings, from charities to law firms and has worked with companies across different industries, such as lululemon, Amex and CancerCare. Her teaching background is diverse, combining ancient wisdom from Tibetan Buddhism with secular mindfulness from Search Inside Yourself, a Leadership Institute born at Google and developed by thought leaders in emotional intelligence, mindfulness and neuroscience. Natalia is currently studying for a Masters in the Psychology & Neuroscience of Mental Health at King's College London.

She is also co-founder of Form Nutrition, a B Corp using business as a force for good and a startup described by The Telegraph as a ‘game-changing’ brand. Previously she was a PR Director in the luxury industry, working for brands such as LVMH and Land Rover.

Co-presenter of BBC TV 'Artificial Intelligence: Decoded' and author of 'Technology Is Not Neutral: A short guide to technology ethics'. Dr Stephanie Hare is an author, consultant and keynote speaker who focuses on the impact of artificial intelligence on business and society. Her book 'Technology Is Not Neutral: A Short Guide to Technology Ethics' examines the issues surrounding AI and Big Tech as well as its effects on humankind.

Stephanie’s expertise sits neatly at the intersection of business, technology, governance and ethics in the current era of surveillance capitalism. Stephanie was selected for the BBC’s Expert Women initiative and now commentates regularly on the BBC. She is a presenter of the broadcaster’s 'Artificial Intelligence: Decoded' and is a regular contributor to the BBC World Service slot Business Matters.

Stephanie is an engaging Event MC and moderator who mixes academic rigour with warmth and dynamic delivery when she is onstage. Before becoming a global media commentator and communicator, Stephanie worked for Accenture, Palantir and Oxford Analytica. Her work has been published in The Washington Post, The Guardian/Observer, WIRED, Harvard Business Review and The Financial Times, which selected 'Technology Is Not Neutral: A Short Guide to Technology Ethics' as one of its books of summer 2022. Dr Hare’s book is currently included on the syllabus of Harvard Law School.

Stephanie Hare has consulted and presented events for many firms and brands. These include LEGO, KPMG, IKEA, the Royal Society, the Vodafone Institute, BAE Systems, Citywire, CERN, Mishcon de Reya, the Internet of Things Alliance Australia, The Alan Turing Institute, Mayer Brown, 7 Bedford Row, Fujitsu, the Data Lab, Vistage and SOLACE, the UK’s leading network for public sector professionals.

Stephanie has a PhD and MSc from The London School of Economics and studied at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, including a year at Université de la Sorbonne (Paris IV). She held the Alastair Horne Visiting Fellowship at St Antony’s College, Oxford.

Trompenaars Hampden-Turner

Fons is a Dutch organizational theorist and founder and director of intercultural management consultancy Trompenaars Hampden-Turner.

He is recognized around the world for his work as a consultant, trainer, motivational speaker and author of various books on all subjects of culture and business.

Fons Trompenaars received his MA in Economics at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in 1979 and his PhD from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1983 for the thesis The Organization of Meaning and the Meaning of Organization.

He has spent over 30 years helping Fortune 500 leaders build meaningful connections to manage and solve their business and cultural dilemmas to increase global effectiveness and performance, particularly in the areas of leadership, innovation, globalization, intercultural understanding and managing culture change by reconciling differences (ethnic, gender or generation based, professional, organizational etc).

Fons has translated his approach into innovative, practical and profitable results in all areas of international business.

In the academic space, he serves as Co-Director at the Servant-Leadership Centre for Research and Education (SERVUS) at the VU Amsterdam.

In October 2023, The World Federation of People Management Associations (WFPMA) awarded its prestigious George Petitpas Award to Fons Trompenaars - one of the world’s most influential management thinkers in a ceremony in Lisbon, Portugal.

'Riding the Waves of Culture: Understanding Cultural Diversity in Business' was announced by Thinkers50 in its 2024 top ten Management Classics Booklist.

Future Generations Commissioner for Wales

Wales is the only country in the world with a Well-being of Future Generations Act and the role provides advice and support to government and public bodies to take a longer-term view on policy decisions. The commissioner’s job is to protect and promote the needs of future generations.

Derek Walker is the second ever Future Generations Commissioner, having started the role on March 1, 2023, when he called for ‘urgent and transformational change’ in Wales.

Previously he was chief executive of Cwmpas, the UK’s largest co-operative development agency. Derek spent 12 years as CEO, working to support people and communities to create jobs and strengthen communities, and changed the organisation’s focus to development that meets the needs of current generations without compromising the needs of future generations.

Derek began his career as policy officer for London Councils, in London and Brussels. He has also worked as Head of External Affairs at the Big Lottery Fund (Wales), as Head of Policy and Campaigns at the Wales TUC and was the first employee of Stonewall Cymru.

Derek grew up on a farm near Cwmbran and is a keen runner and tennis player, loves to read and is a Welsh learner. He now lives in Cardiff with his partner Mike and has two grown-up children. His ambition while at Croesyceiliog Comprehensive School was to be a journalist and he has a Masters degree in International Journalism from Cardiff University. He’s happy how life has turned out and says being the guardian of the interests of people not yet born is the greatest privilege.

Please answer the following questions in your application:

  • Personal Objectives - Please succinctly describe your current leadership role and responsibilities (min 50 words - max 100 words)
  • Departmental / Organisational Objectives - What are your learning objectives for Winter School? (min 50 words - max 100 words)
  • Personal Outcome Statement - How will Winter School help address the challenges in your work? How will you apply the learning? (min 50 words - max 100 words)

On submission of your application you will be included in a sift process for a place. There are a limited number of places available at Winter School 2025 that will be awarded to applicants that have identified strong objectives and outcomes which align to both themselves and their organisation. It is important that you fully answer the personal objectives questions, to support the sift process.

£600 + VAT. This includes:

  • access to the full Winter School learning programme
  • delegate pack
  • accommodation (Tuesday 4 February to Friday 7 February 2025)
  • breakfast, lunch and evening meal during the event

You must meet any personal incidental costs, such as travel to and from the event.

Please note: If you are awarded a place and later decide to withdraw from the programme, Academi Wales reserve the right to charge your organisation an administration charge, please see our website for further information.

Winter School is a residential event and accommodation will be provided for all successful applicants.

Academi Wales is a department of Welsh Government. It is necessary to provide the following details in your application:

  • Full name and address of organisation paying your delegate fee
  • Name and email address of the person responsible for arranging payment of your delegate fee

Supplier: Welsh Government
Supplier address: Welsh Government, Crown Buildings, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NQ

To confirm your place, you will need to provide a purchase order number. Your organisation will be invoiced for your delegate fee following your attendance at Winter School 2025.

For further details regarding invoicing requirements please contact our finance team at AW.Business@gov.wales.

Academi Wales is a department of Welsh Government. To support your application can you please provide the following details:

  • Branch finance manager email address

To confirm your place, your branch finance manager must provide the following details to AW.Business@gov.wales:

  • Profit centre
  • Activity code
  • Personnel number or name of delegate

We will issue a journal transfer to collect your delegate fee after the event.

If you require further details on the journal transfer requirements please contact our finance team at AW.Business@gov.wales.

Tuesday 4 February

  • 11am: registration and accommodation allocation (if arriving before 11am please let us know)
  • 12pm: lunch
  • 1pm: programme begins

Friday 7 February

  • 12.30pm: programme ends

Where applicable, you are required to complete all pre-work set by the speakers.

Successful delegates will be enrolled onto the Winter School delegate hub. This is a secure closed site and can be accessed anytime, anywhere and on any device. The hub will provide the opportunity to share important information leading up to the event, have discussions and network with your fellow delegates.

It is important that you log onto the hub to receive regular updates and key information about the programme.

Please note you will require an up to date web browser such as Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome to access the delegate hub.

  • Yes – delegates must attend the whole programme. It's been purposefully designed and you will not realise the full benefits of the programme unless you complete all aspects.

  • Yes – however, we encourage you to take advantage of the residential part of the programme. If you live locally you may commute to and from your home - please let us know as soon as possible if accommodation is not required. Non-accommodation delegates are still required to pay the £600 + VAT contribution.

  • There are no childcare or crèche facilities available. You will be required to make your own childcare arrangements.

  • Meals and refreshments are included within the programme (however alcohol, bar or café purchases are not covered).

    • Breakfast: between 7.30 am and 8.30 am daily
    • Dinner: 7.30 pm.

    There is a small cash bar and coffee shop on site. Please note: there is no cash machine at or near the venue. Please withdraw cash in advance if you plan to use these facilities.

  • Please note on your application form if you need any assistance or have any medical or specific dietary needs. If necessary we will contact you to discuss nearer the event.

  • Winter School is delivered in English, simultaneous translation is available in the plenary room. However, delegate packs and materials are provided bilingually.

    • Due to the remote location of the centre, mobile phone signals may be patchy. However, landline access is available 24/7.
    • Wifi is available in all areas except the chapel
    • A torch: Nant Gwrtheyrn is a small site but, because of its location, moving between the function hall and accommodation (especially later at night) can be particularly dark, so you may wish to bring a torch.
    • Toiletries, hairdryers etc
    • Cash (please note: there are no cash points or shops in the close vicinity)
    • General supplies may be useful tea, milk and biscuits, as some of the cottages have kitchen areas (however, all other food and refreshments are provided during the event)
    • Classroom sessions - please feel free to adopt a casual dress code.
    • Walk - we recommend that you bring suitable warm, comfortable clothes, outdoor weather gear and sturdy footwear with you. The weather will be unpredictable and can get very cold.
    • It has become a tradition for Winter School delegates to go on an early morning coastal path walk before sessions start. If this is something that you may be interested in please bring with you a torch, suitable footwear and appropriate warm clothing.
  • We reserve the right to take photographs / video footage during the event which may be used for publicity purposes and for the production of learning information.

  • Transport for Wales (external link)

    Train

    www.thetrainline.com (external link)

    Car sharing

    Once the delegate list is confirmed, with your approval, we'll share the contact details. You can then make your own car sharing arrangements for travel to and from the event.

  • Winter School Team

    WinterSchool@gov.wales

    03000 256 687

    Nant Gwrtheyrn - Venue

    Llithfaen, Pwllheli, Gwynedd LL53 6NL
    01758 750 334

    Nant Gwrtheyrn (external link)

For more information, please contact the team by emailing Winter School.