BESA (the Building Engineering Services Association) has appointed Cat Griffith-Williams as its new head of Wales following the retirement of Andrew Marchant.

She joins from the communications agency Grayling, where she was responsible for its overall strategy in Wales and charged with enhancing the agency’s offer to existing and new clients. 

She oversaw public affairs, strategic partnerships and stakeholder relations; helping organisations such as BT, the European Commission and the Landscape Institute in Wales to maximise their communications potential.

Cat said she is looking forward to working with BESA members in Wales and that there is a huge amount of current business activity in Wales directly relevant to the work of BESA members and significant policy developments around training and apprenticeships that could be exploited to the benefit of members’ businesses.

Previously deputy director and head of external affairs at the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales, Cat has given evidence to the Welsh National Assembly. She contributed to legislation and has produced briefing papers and advice to the membership on responding to planning applications.

She holds a post-graduate certificate in Public Health.