New Chair for Women’s Institute

New Chair for Women’s Institute

Ann Jones has been elected the new Chair of The National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI) following its virtual Annual Meeting held on Tuesday 8 June 2021.

She follows a successful three years under the leadership of Lynne Stubbings who stayed on an extra year due to Covid and left to stirring thanks and appreciation for managing through such a difficult time.

Ann hails from Ceredigion, Wales and is no newcomer to the WI, having held offices since 2013, and most recently been NFWI Vice-Chair and Chair of the Public Affairs Committee. She was Chair of NFWI-Wales from 2013 to 2017. Ann also makes history as the first Welsh-speaking Chair of the NFWI.

As she starts her new role, Ann says:

“I’m delighted to have been elected NFWI Chair following the NFWI Annual Meeting. It’s been an honour to serve on the NFWI Board for several years as NFWI Vice Chair and Chair of Public Affairs and I look forward to this new opportunity with enthusiasm and excitement.

 “It’s not been an easy year for the WI with challenges posed by the pandemic, but it’s been so inspiring to see how WI members have adapted and supported each other through lockdown. Together we will continue to recover from the Covid-19 period as WIs begin meeting again, campaigning, volunteering in the community and doing all the activities which makes the WI so unique.

“I would also like to thank my predecessor and friend Lynne Stubbings, who has been an outstanding Chair for the past four years, always showing such kindness and warmth to everyone in the organisation. She is leaving behind a great legacy and I wish her all the best for the future.

“We recently launched our vision for the future with a commitment to a be bold, inspiring, inclusive and flexible organisation for all women. I’m proud to champion these values as I embark on this new role as Chair.”

Ann and her husband run a sheep farm and a property letting business in the foothills of the Cambrian mountains in Llanddewi Brefi.

Raised on a dairy farm in Carmarthenshire, Ann moved to Ceredigion at the age of 25 and immediately joined the local WI – and never looked back. She became an Eco Team Leader for a WI project and was named on the first Green List awarded by the Welsh Assembly.

Her local activities have extended to many roles; she was formerly a Community Councillor and Vice-Chairman of the Llanddewi Brefi Primary School governors, and with her love of the land she has previously been secretary and Chairman of the Llanddewi Brefi Show and secretary of the Horticultural Show.

Also an active member of the Young Farmer’s movement from a young age, she has taught floral art and is on the advisory committee of the young farmer’s club.