Meet The Team

Arts Factory employs a small team of dedicated staff. Most have been with us for many years. Through all the ups and downs, triumphs, trials and successes, these individuals work hard every week to keep our social enterprises, public events, courses and facilities operational and available to the community we serve. Arts Factory staff also recruit and train volunteers, forge partnerships, write reports, secure grants, network outside Rhondda Cynon Taff and do whatever else is required to fulfil our mission and uphold our values.

Take a few minutes to acquaint yourself with each member of the Arts Factory team on the list below.

Elwyn James Chief Executive

Elwyn James has been Chief Executive of Arts Factory since January 2005. Prior to that he has been Arts Factory’s Head of Marketing, a Director of the company, and Chair of the Board of Directors.  Before working for Arts Factory Elwyn worked in the private sector.

For Further information e-mail: elwyn@artsfactory.co.uk | Return to List

Lisa Wills Head of Operations

I have been employed at Arts Factory since January 2001and started as a Finance Assistant. I filled this role for just over three years. After a restructure, where my workload increased and I took on more responsibility.

I was offered day release to Coleg Morgannwg to study for my degree in Accountancy through the Association of Accounting Technicians. I enrolled in September 2004 for two years. It was a challenging two years trying to juggle a full time job, study, exams and a busy home life. I am please to say that it all paid off and I qualified in August 2006.

Due to another restructure in June 2008 I have now taken on the post of Head of Operations, which includes the day to day running of Arts Factory.

For Further information e-mail: lisa@artsfactory.co.uk | Return to List

Bill Daniel Business Manager

I joined Arts Factory in March 2009 to develop a range of new initiatives that create income generating opportunities for the company and assist in the long term sustainability of the organisation. These include Factory books, Vinyl on the Wall and Play Factory as well as others.

I have worked in the voluntary sector since 1995, and have gained experience in areas such as volunteer management, fundraising and community development. Prior to my joining Arts Factory I held posts at Interlink, the County Voluntary Council for Rhondda Cynon Taff that enabled me to work closely with voluntary groups across the borough giving advice and guidance on governance, funding and training issues and latterly with groups that wanted to develop social enterprise opportunities to reduce their dependency on grants.

For Further information e-mail: bill@artsfactory.co.uk | Return to List

Rosalynne Slye Finance Manager

I first became involved with Arts Factory back in 2000 when I brought my youngest daughter to the Stay & Play group. I enrolled as a volunteer and worked within the group for the next two years where I gained valuable experience and new skills. I rejoined as a volunteer in July 2005 and in September of that year I was successful in obtaining a part time admin post at Arts Factory's Highfield premises. I then progressed to a Learning Co-ordinator position working under the “Learning For Growth” project where we were successful in engaging with over 1000 beneficiaries back into learning. In August 2008 I moved to my current position of Finance Co-ordinator.  At Arts Factory you meet such a variety of people on a day to day basis that there is never a dull moment and I couldnt wish for a better job.

For Further information e-mail: ros@artsfactory.co.uk | Return to List

Martin Workman Graphic Design Team Leader

Martin Workman, is a Graphic Designer and Photographer with over 20 years’ experience in the industry. He came to Arts Factory in March 2000 and single-handedly established the successful design studio that is in place today.

He has won numerous awards for his design and photography, the most recent being best brochure design for Royal Mail Wales through the Charted Institute of Public Relations.

Martin has a great passion for design with work ranging from graphic design, branding, exhibition design and photography to website creation.

For Further information e-mail: martin@artsfactorydesign.co.uk | Return to List

Neil Hinton Creative Graphic/Web Designer

Neil is a creative Graphic and Media Design with over 12 years’ experience in the industry. He came to Arts Factory in August 2008, having gained public and private sector experience over a number of years.

Having worked in some highly reputable design companies Neil has now brought his passion and knowledge for design to Art Factory.

For Further information e-mail: neil@artsfactorydesign.co.uk | Return to List

Sarah Slye Youth Coordinator

I started working part time as a voluntary supervisor with young people 7 years ago within RCT youth service. From that the young people inspired me to go on and study Youth Foundation level 3 in Youth and Community which then lead on to me becoming a qualified paid Youth Worker.

In August 2009 an opportunity came up as a Youth Programme Co Ordinator in Arts Factory which couldn’t have come at a better time and I jumped at the chance to be part of the programme. My role is very challenging but I defiantly get a lot out of it, especially seeing how Arts Factory has made a significant impact on people’s lives. In September 2010 I will be studying for a degree in Cardiff University to hopefully achieve a degree in Youth and Community Education BA.

For Further information e-mail: sarah@artsfactory.co.uk | Return to List

Lloyd Jones Finance Assistant

I started work at the Arts Factory in late March 2010 on a Coalfields future jobs fund scheme, which will run for six months and end at the end of September. I’m mainly based in Finance/Customer Care and am thoroughly loving every minute of it.  I feel deeply privileged to be a part of a company that does so much good for the Ferndale community, and hope to take away new skills at the end of the 6 months and a lot of fond memories.

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Adam Holland Customer Care

I started working in the Arts Factory in late March 2010 on a Coalfields future jobs fund scheme, which will run for six months and end at the end of September. The Coalfields Future Jobs Fund Scheme is a government funded scheme which offers the opportunity for young people aged between 19-25, and who have been unemployed for longer than 6 months, to gain experience in paid work. My role which I have taken on is in customer care. I am really excited and enthusiastic about this future job since I have started. I believe it will give me great satisfaction in helping people in the community and watching the way Arts Factory helps to change so many peoples lives.

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Joshua Summers Caretaker

I started working in the Arts Factory in late march 2010 on a Coalfields future jobs Fund scheme, which will run for six months and end at the end of September. The Coalfields Future Jobs Fund Scheme is a government funded scheme which offers the opportunity for young people aged between 19-25, and who have been unemployed for longer than 6 months, to gain experience in paid work. My role which I have taken on is a caretaker. I am very enthusiastic about this future job since I have started. I believe it will give me great satisfaction in keeping arts factory clean and tidy and a nice place to be and watching the way Arts Factory helps to change so many peoples lives.

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