We’re excited to welcome two prominent and successful Welsh women to our board as we set our sights on double-digit growth over the next 5 years. Kate Methuen-Ley, and Alys Carlton. Kate, an established entrepreneur and non-executive, joins as Independent Chair, and Alys, a former corporate lawyer and now executive coach joins as Independent Non-Executive Director.
After a successful 15-year marketing career for well-known national and international brands across a variety of sectors, Kate Methuen-Ley founded the joint venture partnership for Danish high street retailer Flying Tiger Copenhagen in Wales and Bristol, launching 8 stores with +£5million turnover in 2013. Since exiting, Kate has a portfolio career, including as Non-Executive Director of the Development Bank of Wales and as an advisor and business consultant to start-ups and scale-ups in Wales and across the UK.
Alys Carlton, who is a bilingual Welsh and English speaker, started her 18-year corporate law career in London at a prestigious magic circle firm before returning to Wales. As well as running her own globally successful senior leadership coaching business, Alys was appointed as the Chair of the FAW (Football Association of Wales) in 2023; previously she was Vice Chair of the Welsh Government’s Expert Panel on Supporting Entrepreneurial Women and spent 7 years as a Non-Executive Director of the Aloud Charity.
“As we enter this new chapter for Orchard, we wanted to create a diverse and rigorous board which would future-proof our growth plans. We wanted to attract energetic individuals who had personal experience of what is required to drive growth as well the objectivity to hold us to account. We could not be more delighted to have secured both Kate and Alys.”
“We are delighted to welcome Kate and Alys to the board at this pivotal time in Orchard’s development with our transition to an Employee Ownership Trust. Their guardianship and counsel will add huge value to our strategic development and in delivering our vision for Orchard as the space to flourish.”
“It is an honour to be selected as Chair of the board for Orchard. My motivation to apply for the role was twofold. Firstly, because of my passion for fostering entrepreneurial spirit and business growth. Secondly, because of the opportunity to work with an organisation committed to making a meaningful impact in Wales and the UK. I very much look forward to working with my fellow board members and being part of one of the UK’s best-integrated agencies.”
“I am absolutely delighted to have been appointed a Non-Executive Director of the board at Orchard. I hope to use my experience to ensure Orchard can achieve its goals of sustainable growth and industry leadership.”