People
We are a group of Educators, entrepreneurs, experts in sustainability, well-being, creative skills and collaborative activity; adventurers, poets and storytellers. What brings us together is the belief that learning must be done differently.
Liza Lort-Phillips
Founder & CEO
A farmer’s daughter, Pembrokeshire born, Liza strayed far from home before heeding the call of Cynefin (‘sense of place’ in Welsh) and returning to her roots. She has worked in sustainability for over 20 years, and has lived in China, Africa and Latin America, working with some of the world’s biggest brands, charities and social enterprises. Time spent in both farms and factories around the world has taught her much about the interconnectedness of local livelihoods, global consumer choices and the need for systems change.
Inspired by The UN Global Goals, Wales’ Wellbeing of Future Generations Act and a desire to put her skills to work for the next generation of educators and learners, she established Cymbrogi Futures in 2019. When time allows, she co-creates pop up poetry workshops, and volunteers as a mentor for young asylum-seekers.
Ian Chriswick
Director & Lead Educator
Educator and change-maker, Ian is our lead on all things Curriculum for Wales. With 20 years teaching & senior leadership at secondary level under his belt, Ian is passionate about putting the new curriculum for Wales to work – for both learners and educators.
A former Maths teacher and senior leadership member at Ysgol Bro Dinefwr in Carmarthenshire, Ian decided to leave mainstream education to pursue his passion for a different way of teaching and learning…(We like to think his visit to Cymbrogi helped him make that decision..;-) And we’re delighted he’s joined us as Core Crew! When he’s not working with us, he is part-time College Lecturer at Gower College, Swansea, putting his passions to work with young adults, though garden and landscaping projects.
Beth Power
Educator
Beth has worked in education for 12 years She is passionate about learning done differently – STEAM and outdoor learning in particular.
She loves experiential research and investigating the benefits of outdoor and beach-based activity and its links to physical development and wellbeing. More recently she has explored the importance of non-verbal communication in the context of non-mammalian animals and young children in educational settings. Beth leads our Young Changemaker programmes.
Matthew Jones
Conversations Manager
Matthew is both a designer and musician. He worked in an ALN school for 10 years, as a music therapist and the school’s design lead, before moving to West Wales to learn to live more simply.
Matthew is also a published songwriter and recording artist, and has travelled all around the world performing on stage.
He is passionate about helping empower people to find their own voice, and in turn build a sense of connection with themselves, others and the world around them.
Neil Thomas
CPD Trainer
Neil has worked in education for 18 years. A former Design and Technology teacher, senior leader and managing director at an education training company, he is now an educational consultant and performance coach.
He is passionate about empowering educational communities, programmes and stakeholders to reach their full potential. An experienced facilitator and trainer of teachers, he (happily for us!) ended up moving to our corner of West Wales, and it wasn’t long before we realised that we had a few things in common… Neil is a now very much a ‘local’ resident of Lawrenny, and we’re delighted that he’s agreed to be part of the Cymbrogi journey and help us empower today’s learners to shape tomorrows sustainable world.
Cymbrogi Champions
We are a small team, but we work with a wider ecosystem of Cymbrogi Champions with all sorts of skills and expertise.
"Wow what a fabulous day we enjoyed with you all at Cymbrogi yesterday. We will certainly remember this celebration for a long time to come."
– Cymbrogi CIC Workshop Participant