International Women’s Day Partners in Progress
Celebrate International Women's Day with business leaders, students, and professionals at Bluestone National Park Resort, featuring inspiring speakers, networking opportunities, and sector-specific discussions.
Join us at this event as we highlight the progress made in advancing women in the workplace and explore ways to inspire the next generation to continue this important work. Open to all, it also celebrates the role men have played in this journey. This event will feature a panel of distinguished speakers who have made significant contributions to their fields, sharing their journeys and insights to inspire the next generation of leaders.
Beyond inspirational talks, attendees will engage in meaningful networking and sector-specific discussions, paving the way for future opportunities and collaborations.
The day includes an interactive panel discussion, a buffet lunch, and guided tours focused on key business sectors. Open to all, this event is a must-attend for current and future leaders alike.
Confirmed guest speakers are:
- Deb Bowen Rees – Non Executive Director
- William McNamara OBE – Owner and Founder of Bluestone National Park Resort
- Rachel Moxey - Head of Economic Development and Regeneration at Pembrokeshire County Council
- Brian Jones MBE – Founder, Castell Howell
Speakers
Brian Jones MBE
Brian Jones MBE founded Castell Howell, now one of the UK’s largest independent food wholesalers, from humble beginnings on his family farm.
Today, the company employs 850 staff, offers 15,000 products, and delivers to 5,000 customers daily across Wales, the West Country, and border counties. A strong supporter of communities and agriculture, Brian has served as President of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society and Pembrokeshire Show and is a Fellow of Aberystwyth University.
Honoured with an MBE, Brian’s dedication to the food sector has driven Castell Howell’s remarkable growth and cemented its reputation as a key player in the industry.
Deb Bowen Rees
Deb Bowen Rees has extensive leadership and management expertise, gained from a distinguished 28-year RAF career, culminating as Group Captain and Head of Air Traffic. Her service included a tour in Iraq in 2006.
As CEO of Cardiff Airport, she led its transformation under Welsh Government ownership. Now focused on a Non-Executive career, Deb serves on the boards of Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water (Chair of ESG Committee), Milford Haven Port Authority (Stakeholder Strategy NED), and Airport Coordination Ltd (Senior Independent Director).
Based in West Wales with her husband, pets, and a small flock of ducks and chickens, she enjoys hosting family and friends.
William McNamara OBE
Pembrokeshire-born entrepreneur William McNamara OBE founded Oakwood Theme Park and later Bluestone National Park Resort, a sustainable 5-star holiday destination. Set on 500 acres, Bluestone features luxury lodges, diverse activities, and facilities, including a biomass-heated water park and award-winning spa. Employing 900 staff and attracting 200,000 visitors annually, Bluestone is partly employee-owned through a 30% Employee Benefit Trust.
Honoured with an OBE for services to tourism, William credits Bluestone’s success to teamwork and innovation. Ranked as Wales’s top holiday resort by Which?, Bluestone has become a Welsh icon, reflecting William’s passion for enhancing year-round tourism and community development.
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