Hefin Wyn David (born 1977) is a Welsh Labour politician and the

Member of the Senedd A member of the Senedd (MS; plural: ''MSs''; ; , plural: ) is a representative elected to the Senedd (Welsh Parliament; ). There are sixty members, with forty members chosen to represent individual Senedd constituency, Senedd constituencies, a ...

(MS) for

Caerphilly Caerphilly (, ; , ) is a town and community (Wales), community in Wales. It is situated at the southern end of the Rhymney Valley and separated from the Cardiff suburbs of Lisvane and Rhiwbina by Caerphilly Mountain. It is north of Cardiff an ...

, where he currently lives. Despite the common surname, he is no relation to

Wayne David Sir Wayne David (born 1 July 1957) is a Welsh politician who served as Member of Parliament (United Kingdom), Member of Parliament (MP) for Caerphilly (UK Parliament constituency), Caerphilly from 2001 to 2024. A member of the Wales Labour Party ...

, the former Member of Parliament (MP) for the same constituency. His political interests are in small firm development and growth, employment and employability, access to further and higher education for those with additional learning needs, the development of valleys communities and supporting families with relatives that have autism.

Early life

Hefin was born in what used to be called Caerphilly Miners Hospital. He grew up in the village of Penpedairheol, which is close to

Bargoed Bargoed () is a town and community (Wales), community in the Rhymney Valley, Wales, one of the South Wales Valleys. It lies on the Rhymney River in the county borough of Caerphilly (county borough), Caerphilly. It straddles the Historic counties o ...

. He was educated at Heolddu Comprehensive School. Between 1995 and 1997 he completed his undergraduate degree at

Cardiff University Cardiff University () is a public research university in Cardiff, Wales. It was established in 1883 as the University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire and became a founding college of the University of Wales in 1893. It was renamed Unive ...

in Politics and Economics. He also completed his master's in European Policy at

between 1998 and 1999. In addition to this, he completed his PGCE at the

University of Wales, Newport The University of Wales, Newport (), was a public university based in Newport, Wales, Newport, South Wales, before the merger that formed the University of South Wales in April 2013. The university was founded as a mechanics' institute in 1841 ...

(now the

University of South Wales The University of South Wales (USW) () is a public university in Wales, with campuses in Cardiff, Newport and Pontypridd. It was formed on 11 April 2013 from the merger of the University of Glamorgan and the University of Wales, Newport. The ...

) in 2002 and his PhD in small business employment issues in 2013 at the

University of Gloucestershire The University of Gloucestershire is a public university based in Gloucestershire, England. It is located over five campuses, three in Cheltenham and two in Gloucester. The university is the successor of a large number of merged, name-changed ...

. He was a senior lecturer in business management at the

between 2002 and 2008. He lectured HR Development and Practice at

Cardiff Metropolitan University Cardiff Metropolitan University () is a public university located in Cardiff, Wales. Formerly known as the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (UWIC; , ) which was established in 1996. The university offers degree courses in a variety of d ...

between 2008 and 2016. He has also lectured in Germany, Greece, India and China.

Political career

Hefin was elected to Caerphilly County Borough Council in a by-election in March 2007 as a representative for the ward of St Cattwg. He served as councillor for the ward until he stood down before the local council elections in 2017. He was the chair of the Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee between 2012 and 2016. During his time as chair the committee considered a number of issues in the public interest, such alleviating the effects of the bedroom tax and reducing the use of Bed and Breakfast accommodation as emergency housing. He also helped to secure a £400,000 lottery grant from the National Lottery to demolish and re-build Tir-Y-Berth village hall. He was elected as a Senedd Member (MS) in 2016 to replace Jeff Cuthbert, who became Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner. In 2016 he won 35.35% of the vote before increasing his share to 45.96% in 2021. He currently sits on the committee for Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs and the committee for Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport and International Relations. He has also previously chaired the Cross Party Group on Universities and, with

Rhun ap Iorwerth Rhun ap Iorwerth (; born 27 August 1972) is a Welsh journalist and politician who has served as the Leader of Plaid Cymru since June 2023. He has been the Member of the Senedd (MS) for Ynys Môn (Senedd constituency), Ynys Môn since 2013 Ynys ...

, the co-chair for the Cross Party Group on Long-Covid.

Campaigns and policy

From his election he has campaigned for freeholders who have estate management charges imposed on their properties. He has called on the

Welsh Government The Welsh Government ( ) is the Executive (government), executive arm of the Welsh devolution, devolved government of Wales. The government consists of Cabinet secretary, cabinet secretaries and Minister of State, ministers. It is led by the F ...

to cap estate management charges in Wales and has campaigned for stronger laws to control 'fleecehold'. In 2022, he called on Welsh Government to improve support services for people with neurodevelopmental diagnoses such as autism, ADHD and Tourette's. He was commissioned by the Welsh Government to produce a piece of research that examined the experience of professionals supporting learners in the transition from education to employment. The report was published in June 2023 and is entitled 'Transitions to employment: A report for the Welsh Government'. Jeremy Miles, the former Minister for Education and the Welsh Language, said that the report produced by Hefin David "will extend our evidence base as we continue to develop our education and skills policy in the future."

Personal life

His partner is Vikki Howells, Member of the Senedd (MS) for

Cynon Valley Cynon Valley () is a former coal mining valley in Wales. It lies between Rhondda and the Merthyr Valley and takes its name from the River Cynon. Aberdare is located in the north of the valley and Mountain Ash in the south. From 1974 to 19 ...

. He has two children, Holly and Caitlin. Caitlin is autistic with learning disabilities. He is a governor for Heolddu Comprehensive School and was a governor of Trinity Fields School and Resource Centre. As well as this, he is also a friend and supporter of the Caerphilly Miners Centre for the community.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:David, Hefin Living people 1977 births Alumni of Cardiff University Alumni of the University of Gloucestershire Alumni of the University of Wales, Newport People associated with Cardiff Metropolitan University People educated at Heolddu Comprehensive School People from Caerphilly Wales MSs 2016–2021 Wales MSs 2021–2026 Welsh Labour members of the Senedd