The Foundational Economy is relevant to both policy-makers and place-makers. Cynnal Cymru works with both to explore and explain why this part of the economy matters to sustainability.
Foundational Economy
Clare Sain-Ley-Berry
Interim Director
Clare currently oversees all Cynnal Cymru’s work programmes to accelerate progress toward a more just and sustainable future. With a background in delivering partnership projects, she enjoys facilitating collaboration and working towards the practical outcomes behind strategic aims.
Clare has supported Welsh Government’s work on the foundational economy since 2020 with stakeholders from across public, private and third sectors. Our focus centres on exploring how this essential part of the economy contributes to, and is shaped by, sustainability pillars including fair work and environmental limits.
Harry Thompson
Senior Programme and Policy Lead
Harry is Senior Programme and Policy Lead: Fair Work and Economy and manages the Fair Work and Living Wage team, which work towards Cynnal Cymru’s strategic goal of a fair and just society.
He previously worked as Economic Policy Lead at the Institute of Welsh Affairs, leading projects on topics such as empowering trade unions, the Welsh Government’s fiscal framework, and community empowerment. Before that he worked for public affairs firm Deryn Consulting and in political campaigns and research at Senedd, Westminster, and local authority level.
Phoebe Nicklin
Policy and Engagement Officer
Phoebe is the Policy and Engagement officer supporting the Foundational Economy network that Cynnal Cymru currently facilitates on behalf of Welsh Government. She also works to build collaboration around sustainability issues including fair work, a just transition, climate and biodiversity.
Phoebe has a diverse set of skills and knowledge from previously working for Cardiff University on research and community engagement projects to connect Welsh communities to nature for health and wellbeing. Phoebe has a strong background in innovation, working with the NHS on healthcare initiatives to encourage engagement with green spaces, increasing biodiversity through rewilding, pollinator and citizen science projects.
Phoebe is excited to be supporting the Foundational economy network as she is passionate about equality and access to essential goods and services.
Outside of work Phoebe enjoys spending time in nature, ice skating, gaming and gardening.
Get in contact
If you have any questions or would like to find out more, please get in touch.
