Archive for November, 2011

Ganed Eric Maddern yn Awstralia ac mae’n adroddwr straeon a cherddor proffesiynol. Ef yw sylfaenydd ac ysgogwr Cae Mabon, sef pentref arallfydol hynod drawiadol mewn llannerch ger afon fyrlymus wrth odre Eryri. Cyhoeddwyd mai’r Ganolfan Encil Eco hon oedd ‘prosiect adeiladu naturiol rhif un y Deyrnas Unedig’ yn 2008. Yng nghalon Cae Mabon y mae Tŷ Crwn to gwellt fel y rhai y bu ein hynafiaid yn byw ynddynt am filoedd o flynyddoedd, gyda thân ar yr aelwyd a mwg yn codi o’r to gwellt. Mae’r cabanau gerllaw mewn coetir ac wedi’u codi o ddeunyddiau Cymreig lleol fel llechi, pren o Gymru, a gwellt.

Mae Cae Mabon yn cynnig amryw o enciliadau a gweithdai creadigol, therapiwtig, ysbrydol a ‘glampio’ poblogaidd yn yr hyn a alwyd yn ‘Shangri-La’ Cymru! Gallwch weld manylion yn www.caemabon.co.uk

Richard Andrew Cuthbertson yw Cadeirydd DMM Group sy’n gwneud a gwerthu offer chwaraeon a diogelwch. Dechreuwyd DMM mewn sied yn Llanberis 30 mlynedd yn ôl, wedi’i sefydlu gan bedwar cyfaill a oedd yn gwneud offer dringo mynyddoedd. Oherwydd cynnydd mewn deddfwriaeth iechyd a diogelwch, daeth y cwmni i fasnachu mewn marchnadoedd newydd, ffyniannus a bellach mae’r cwmni yn cyflogi 144 o bobl yng Ngwynedd.

Mae Richard yn Gadeirydd ar Damos Construction hefyd.  Ef yw Cadeirydd y Wild Country Group, sef gwneuthurwr offer dringo creigiau, bu’n Gadeirydd ar yr Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol Cymru (1997-2008) ac yn Aelod o Gyngor Ymddiriedolaeth y Tywysog – Cymru (2002-2008).  Mae’n Drysorydd ar Rhwydwaith Amgylchedd Pobl Dduon a Chyfarwyddwr Anweithredol ar Cofnod ac Agored Cymru.

Richard Andrew Cuthbertson is Chairman of DMM Group which makes and sells sports and safety equipment. DMM started life in a shed in Llanberis 30 years ago, founded by four friends who made mountain climbing equipment. The increase in health and safety legislation has allowed the firm to trade in new and fruitful markets and the company now employs 144 people in Gwynedd.

Richard is also Chairman of Damos Construction.  He is Chairman of Wild Country Group, a manufacturer of rock climbing equipment, was Chairman of the National Trust Wales (1997-2008) and a Council Member of Princes Trust Cymru (2002-2008).  He is Treasurer of Black Environment Network and Non Executive Director of Cofnod and Agored Cymru.

We are having a Festival of Ideas. We are exploring different ways innovation might look in a small nation – especially the more peripheral bits of it.  We want to get a feel from those who are already practicing innovators, we want to investigate and explore how innovators are managing to do it – what drives them and how they are supported. At the end of the festival we want to ask ourselves hard questions about how we can be better at innovating.

The Festival is an event as part of the Ireland Wales Interreg project Inventorium. It is being supported by Pontio – whose physical manifestation – an arts and innovation centre being built in the centre of Bangor. Both Inventorium and Pontio are premised on the idea that innovation is not a solitary activity – it requires conversation and multiple perspectives. We bring people together who might not normally meet. Innovation, at its very least requires one conversation between someone with an idea or invention and someone who needs to use the invention. In most circumstances there needs to be some third person who has the wherewithal to drive it from and idea and deliver it to the customer. We might call them an entrepreneur – but that is something we can learn.

Inventorium also encourages Open Innovation based on the idea that innovation does not necessarily come from in-house and equally innovation may be better exploited in environments other than the place it started. The Public Sector needs to learn this.

So we are having a Festival that brings people together to be  innovative about innovation.  It is a participatory day with invited contributors and anyone else who wants to think hard and differently for a day.

We have invited some key contributors. We have people with international reputations in design thinking and enabling people to think differently. We have invited local pioneers who have made international impact through their actions. We have invited the small business  people who are not settling for the ordinary.

We will start the day with inspiration. We will hear short messages from those who are innovating in the arts, science, commerce, and technology and how Wales works for them.

We then get to the practical business of conversation for innovation. We will work on problems set by real business – and that will mean leaving the venue to visit people in their place of business. We will reflect on the process and imagine what we/they might do next.

Finally we get into a non adversarial debate. We will hear different perspectives on innovation in a small nation – what can be done, what needs to be done and what we can do.

This event is not for the faint hearted. It is for those who want to innovate or innovate more, and want the mutual support and atmosphere of being in a culture of innovation. There is more about the free to attend event on http://www.inventorium.org/events/innovation-in-a-small-nation/

O Lanelwy, Sir Ddinbych, astudiodd ynYsgol Economeg Llundain ac Ysgol Astudiaethau Dwyreiniol ac Affricanaidd, Prifysgol Llundain, a phrifysgolion yn Japan. Treuliodd gyfnodau yn byw yn Ffrainc a Japancyn dychwelyd i Gymru yn 1978.  Bu’n gweithio yn y diwydiant gweithgynhyrchu rhwng 1979 ac 88, cyn cael secondiad dros dro i Tate Liverpool pan agorodd honno. Daeth hyn yn symudiad parhaol i’r celfyddydau gweledol. Rhwng 1997 a 2011 ef oedd Cyfarwyddwr Oriel Mostyn, Llandudno, ac fe ddechreuodd a goruchwyliodd waith ehangu ac adnewyddu £5.2 miliwn a enillodd wobrau RIBA, yr Ymddiriedolaeth Ddinesig a Medal Aur yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol. Datblygodd Mostyn yn llwyfan ar gyfer celfyddyd gyfoes Gymreig a rhyngwladol, yn bennaf artistiaid o Affrica ac America Ladin; a’r Oriel yn cael ei disgrifio ym mhapur newydd y Guardian fel “un o’r lleoliadau celfyddyd gyfoes mwyaf anturus” yn y Deyrnas Unedig. Bu ganddo rôl ymgynghorol ar nifer o brosiectau, yn eu plith presenoldeb Cymru am y tro cyntaf yn Biennale Celfyddyd Fenis. Mae ei waith ysgrifenedig ar gelf yn ymddangos mewn nifer o lyfrau, cyfnodolion a chatalogau arddangosfeydd.  Mae’n byw ger Llanelwy ac ar hyn o bryd mae’n gweithio ar brosiectau annibynnol gan gynnwys rhai yng Ngorllewin Affrica a Chawcasws, ac ar ffotograffiaeth teithio; cyhoeddwyd ei ffotograffau yn eang mewn llyfrau, cylchgronau, papurau newydd, gwefannau, ers 1990.

Martin Barlow , from St Asaph, Denbighshire, studied at London School of Economics and School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, and universities in Japan. Periods resident in France and Japan before returning to Wales in 1978.  Worked in manufacturing industry 1979-88, before temporary secondment to Tate Liverpool at its opening became permanent move into the visual arts. From 1997-2011 was Director of Mostyn gallery, Llandudno, initiated and oversaw £5.2 million expansion and refurbishment which won RIBA, Civic Trust and National Eisteddfod Gold Medal awards. Developed Mostyn’s position as platform for Welsh and international contemporary art, notably artists from Africa and Latin America; gallery described in Guardian newspaper as “one of the most adventurous contemporary art venues” in the UK. Advisory roles on various projects including inaugural Welsh presence at Venice Biennale of Art. Writings on art published in various books, journals and exhibition catalogues.  Lives near St Asaph and currently working on freelance projects involving West Africa and Caucasus, and on travel photography; photographs published widely in books, magazines, newspapers, web sites, since 1990.

Bydd Gaeth Browning yn cyflwyno ei farn ar arloesi yn llywodraeth yn ein gŵyl arloesi unigryw ar 23 Tachwedd.

Mae Gareth yn Gynghorydd Prosiect Ymchwil a Datblygu Cymru, gan gynnwys rhoi cefnogaeth i Framework 7, SBRI, a’r Bwrdd Strategaeth Technoleg.

Cyn hynny bu Gareth yn gweithio fel rheolwr Gweithrediadau Llywodraeth Cymru dros ECM2 (Y Ganolfan Beirianneg ar gyfer Gweithgynhyrchu a Defnyddiau) yn Port Talbot.

Gareth Browning  will be presenting his view of innovation in government at our unique festival of innovation on the 23rd November.

Gareth is the Research and Development Project Adviser for Wales, including support for Framework 7, SBRI, and Technology Strategy Board.

Previously Gareth Worked as the Welsh Government Operations manager for ECM2 (Engineering Centre for Manufacturing and Materials) in Port Talbot.

Mae Andy Hughes yn ŵr busnes a pheiriannydd proffesiynol. Mae’n beiriannydd siartredig gydag MBA gan arbenigo ar Reoli Technoleg. Ar hyn o bryd mae’n un o gyfarwyddwyr Greeve Ltd sy’n arbenigo ar gaffael data, monitro cyflyrau a systemau rheoli yn ogystal â datblygu atebion technolegol pwrpasol. Y mae hefyd yn uwch bartner yn Stratra sy’n rhoi cefnogaeth i fusnesau bach gyda chynllunio strategol a datblygu technoleg.

Bu Andy yn gyfarwyddwr technegol ar gwmni peirianneg amlwladol, a rheolwr-gyfarwyddwr ar nifer o gwmniau newydd llwyddiannus ym maes technoleg. Bu’n gweithio i ddatblygu technolegau newydd ers deng mlynedd ar hugain mewn amryw o wahanol farchnadoedd gan gynnwys trafnidiaeth, cynhyrchu pŵer, rasio ceir ac Amddiffyn.

Trwy ei gysylltiad â rhwydwaith buddsoddi Xenos, bu Andy ar ddwy ochr y bwrdd buddsoddi – yn chwilio am arian allanol ar gyfer prosiectau newydd yn ogystal â gwerthuso a buddsoddi mewn syniadau technoleg newydd.

Andy Hughes is a business and engineering professional. He is a chartered engineer and holds an MBA specialising in Technology Management. He is currently a director of Greeve Ltd which specialises in data acquisition, condition monitoring and control systems as well as developing bespoke technology solutions. He is also a senior partner at Stratra which provides support for small business for strategic planning and technology development.

Andy has been technical director of a multi-national engineering company, and managing director of a number of successful technology start-up companies. He has worked in the development of new technologies for thirty years in a wide range of markets that include transport, power generation, motor sport and Defence.

Through his involvement with the Xenos investment network Andy has been on both sides of the investment table – seeking external funding for new projects and evaluating and investing in new technology ideas.

Mae Gareth Morlais yn gynhyrchydd gweithredol, bbc.co.uk/cymru.
Mae’n frwd am adrodd straeon yn ddigidol ac roedd yn rhan o dîm Cipolwg ar Gymru y BBC rhwng 2001-08.
Cyn hyn bu’n gweithio gyda TNL Radio yn Sri Lanka, Marcher Coast FM (Heart erbyn hyn) ym Mae Colwyn.
Yn ei amser hamdden mae’n cynnal gwefannau lleol am Abergele a Bae Colwyn.

Gareth Morlais is executive producer, bbc.co.uk/cymru.
His passion is digital storytelling and he was one of the BBC Capture Wales / Cipolwg ar Gymru team from 2001-08.
Before this he worked with TNL Radio in Sri Lanka, Marcher Coast FM (now Heart) in Colwyn Bay.
In his spare time he runs hyperlocal websites about Abergele and ColwynBay.

Rydym yn falch iawn fod Artist Ymgynghorol Pontio, Bedwyr Williams, sydd newydd ei benodi, wedi cytuno i gymryd rhan yn y cyflwyniadau bore a’r ddadl fin nos yn ein digwyddiad Arloesi mewn Cenedl Fach.

Mae gwaith Williams yn cynnwys comedi ar ei draed, cerflunio a phaentio, posteri a ffotograffiaeth. Mae’n tynnu ar ei brofiadau ei hun ac mae’r ffordd y mae’n gweld y byd yn ddychanol a hollol ddifrifol ar yr un pryd, gan ddatgelu ei niwrosis a’i anianawd cymhleth ei hun a’n cynnwys ninnau. Mae ei osodiadau, ei weithiau ar sail testunau a pherfformiadau byw yn archwilio pynciau fel magwraeth ym Mae Colwyn gyda thraed maint 13, i ddamwain bws mini gyda phedwar artist preswyl arall (ac ef yw’r unig un sy’n goroesi).

Rydym yn sicr y bydd gweledigaeth Bedwyr yn rhoi gogwydd gwahanol i’r diwrnod.

We are delighted that Pontio’s newly appointed Artist Consultant, Bedwyr Williams, has agreed to participate in both the morning presentations and evening debate of our Innovation in a Small Nation event.

Williams work includes stand-up comedy, sculpture and painting, posters and photography. He draws on his own experiences and his take on the world is simultaneously satirical and deadly serious, he reveals both his and our own complex neurosis and idiosyncrasies. His installation, text based works and live performances explore subject matter ranging from growing up in Colwyn Bay with size 13 feet, to a mini bus crash with four other artists in residence (in which he is the only survivor).

We are sure that Bedwyr’s insights will provide a novel slant to the day.

Richard Miller, yw’r diweddaraf i gael ei gadarnhau ar gyfer digwyddiad Arloesi mewn Cenedl Fach Inventorium a Pontio. Bydd Richard yn cyfrannu at y ddadl fin nos.

Richard yw Pennaeth Cynaliadwyedd yn y Bwrdd Strategaeth Technoleg. Ef sy’n bennaf gyfrifol am ddatblygu a gweithredu strategaeth gynaliadwyedd ar draws holl weithgareddau’r Bwrdd Strategaeth Technoleg. Mae ganddo gyfrifoldeb uniongyrchol hefyd dros raglenni Adeiladau Bach eu Heffaith, Amaeth a Bwyd Cynaliadwy, Effeithlonrwydd Adnoddau a Dŵr.

Cyn hynny bu’n datblygu ac arwain Llwyfan Arloesi Adeiladau Bach eu Heffaith; creu rhaglen i alluogi diwydiant y Deyrnas Unedig i gwrdd â her cyflwyno adeiladau ag ôl troed amgylcheddol sylweddol is dros y 10 mlynedd nesaf.

Richard Miller, TSB is the latest person to be confirmed for Inventorium and Pontio’s Innovation in a Small Nation event, Richard will be contributing to the evening debate.

Richard is Head of Sustainability at the Technology Strategy Board. He has overall responsibility for developing and implementing a sustainability strategy across all of the Technology Strategy Board activities. He also has direct responsibility for programmes inLow-ImpactBuildings, Sustainable Agriculture and Food, Resource Efficiency and Water.

Previously he developed and led the Low-Impact Buildings Innovation Platform; creating a programme to enable UK industry to meet the challenge of delivering buildings with a dramatically reduced environmental footprint over the next 10 years.

Rydym yn falch o gyhoeddi y bydd Stuart Robinson yn llywydd y ddadl yn ein sesiwn fin nos yn y digwyddiad Arloesi mewn Cenedl Fach.

Mae Stuart yn gweithio fel darlledwr a chynhyrchydd ar ei liwt ei hun. Ers blynyddoedd bu’n cyfrannu eitemau i bob un o’r prif raglenni cylchgrawn a newyddion ar BBC Radio Wales, a thrafod straeon Cymreig ar gyfer rhaglen YOU & YOURS ar BBC Radio 4. Erbyn hyn mae’n cynhyrchu darllediadau allanol crefyddol a hefyd yn gweithio i Ysgol Frenhinol Cerddoriaeth yr Eglwys Royal fel Trefnydd a Chydgysylltydd Cysylltiadau â’r Cyfryngau yng Nghymru. Mae Stuart hefyd yn organydd eglwys a chyfarwyddwr côr. Pan fydd amser yn caniatáu, bydd yn arwain cyrsiau a seminarau sgiliau’r cyfryngau ar gyfer busnesau a sefydliadau gwasanaeth cyhoeddus.

We are delighted to announce that Stuart Robinson will be our debate moderator for the evening session of our Innovation in a Small Nation event.

Stuart works as a freelance broadcaster and producer. For many years he contributed features to all the main news and magazine programmes on BBC Radio Wales, and covered Welsh stories for BBC Radio Four’s YOU & YOURS programme. He now produces religious outside broadcasts and also works for the Royal School of Church Music as its Media Relations Organiser and Coordinator in Wales. Stuart is also a church organist and choir director. When time permits, he leads media skills courses and seminars for businesses and public service organisations.