Meet the people leading Rhyl’s £20m regeneration vision

A refreshed Our Rhyl / Ein Rhyl Board is leading the delivery of the town’s ambitious £20 million, 10-year regeneration programme, building on strong community foundations and more than a year of extensive engagement.

The new board brings together expertise from across health, education, business, community, tourism, faith, regeneration and the third sector, reflecting the diversity, experience and passion found within Rhyl itself.

Members will help guide priorities, champion local voices and turn ideas into action.

Craig Sparrow - Executive Director of Property and Development at ClwydAlyn Housing, and Chair of the Board

Craig Sparrow (Image: Submitted)

Craig has called Rhyl home since he was just one year old. Having lived, studied and worked in the town for most of his life, he sees Rhyl as his community and motivation. Craig joined the board to help drive positive change, stepping forward as chair with a clear belief in “action not words” and a determination to make tangible improvements for the place he considers his hometown.

Craig’s career began through a youth training scheme in the 1980s, leading to senior roles in the development of affordable housing. Over the years he has worked for two housing associations and helped deliver thousands of new homes, rejoining ClwydAlyn in 2017 to launch a major development programme that has since created more than 1,400 homes across seven local authority areas.

Craig hopes the £20m, 10-year strategy will be used to its fullest for local people.

Sue Nash – White Rose Centre Manager

Sue Nash (Image: Submitted)

Sue brings a wealth of experience and a lifelong affection for the North Wales coast to her role on the board. Originally from Liverpool, she began her career with the Guardian Royal Exchange Insurance Company before joining HM Forces in 1988 as a Staff Clerk, serving in London and later in Northern Ireland.

After leaving the military, Sue built a successful career in retail and centre management, spending more than 20 years at Llandudno’s Victoria Shopping Centre, where she rose to Shopping Centre Manager. Following roles with Bon Marché, she became Centre Manager of Rhyl’s White Rose Centre, a position she has proudly held for the past nine years.

Although not born in Rhyl, Sue’s connection stretches back to childhood summers spent holidaying in Towyn and travelling into Rhyl on the open-top bus to visit the Sun Centre, Ocean

Sue has joined the board to help restore the vibrancy of the 'Sunny Rhyl' she remembers.

Linzi Jones - Founder of The Step-Up Hub, Marketing and Communications Consultant, and a DVSC Trustee

Linzi Jones (Image: Submitted)

Linzi has lived in Rhyl and the surrounding areas for most of her life. Through her work with organisations and residents, she has seen not only the challenges Rhyl faces, but also the strength, creativity, and pride within its communities.

With over 18 years’ experience across marketing, communications, fundraising, and digital inclusion, Linzi brings strong expertise in partnership working, governance, and community engagement.

She hopes the strategy will deliver visible, everyday improvements - revitalising the high street with a vibrant mix of spaces, creating opportunities, and tackling social isolation by providing welcoming places for people to connect.

For Linzi, success means a lively, inclusive Rhyl where people feel proud, involved, and optimistic.

Nadeem Ahmad – Owner of Jean Emporium, Independent Retailer

Nadeem Ahmad (Image: Submitted)

Nadeem is a respected independent retailer in Rhyl and the long-time owner of Jean Emporium, a well-known clothing shop. He has built a reputation for friendly service and a strong understanding of what shoppers appreciate, helping his store remain a reliable part of the town centre.

Beyond running his business, he serves as a member of the board, where he contributes to discussions on community needs and high street and coastal improvement. Through both his shop and his civic involvement, Nadeem plays a positive role in supporting a welcoming, vibrant future for Rhyl.

Jonathan Pico - Healthcare Professional with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

Jon Pico (Image: Submitted)

Jonathan is a long-standing member of the Rhyl community, having lived here for nearly 25 years. Originally from the Philippines, he moved to Wales in 2001 and has built both his career and his life in the town he now proudly calls home.

Through his work, he has supported individuals and families across Rhyl, gaining an understanding of challenges and opportunities.

Alongside his professional role, Jonathan serves as Vice-Chair of the Philippine Nurses Association UK - Wales Chapter, where he supports and connects Filipino healthcare professionals, while also organising cultural and community events that promote unity and belonging.

He hopes the strategy will reduce inequalities, improve health and wellbeing, and create better employment opportunities, while empowering residents to shape their future.

Leonie Wainwright - Director and Chartered Architect at Dewis Architecture Ltd

Leonie Wainwright (Image: Submitted)

Leonie has lived in Rhyl for the past five years. Originally from the Conwy Valley, she returned to North Wales after qualifying as an architect and has since developed a strong connection to the town, alongside a growing commitment to supporting its future.

Through her professional work across sectors including housing, education, social care, and leisure, she has led multidisciplinary teams, worked closely with local authorities and communities, and championed inclusive, accessible design.

Leonie is particularly passionate about revitalising the town centre, tackling anti-social behaviour, and challenging outdated perceptions of the town.

Alongside her architectural work, Leonie has held governance roles with professional bodies and contributed to wider conversations around placemaking and regeneration.

Emma Watling - Senior Pharmacy Technician with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

Emma Watling (Image: Submitted)

Emma is proud to be raising her family in Rhyl, having chosen to make the town her home over three years ago.

Emma joined the board with a strong desire to champion the seaside town, helping to showcase all that it has to offer while contributing to meaningful improvements.

Through her career, she has gained experience across primary care, community pharmacy, secure facilities, and acute hospital settings since qualifying in 2013. This has given her valuable insight into public health and shaped her passion for continued learning, as she works towards a BSc (Hons) in Health Science.

She hopes the strategy will highlight Rhyl’s strengths, tackle health inequalities, and deliver lasting benefits for future generations.

Gill German - MP for Clwyd North

Gill German (Image: Submitted)

Gill spent her childhood in the town’s arcades, funfair and Sun Centre, later working weekend jobs on the seafront and at WHSmith. Her long-standing friendships and her children’s involvement in events keep Rhyl central to her family life.

Before becoming MP for Clwyd North, Gill served as Denbighshire’s Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Families, building close relationships with Rhyl’s schools, employability programmes and community organisations. A former teacher, she remains passionate about improving opportunities for children, young people and families, and helping residents reach their potential.

Gill joined the board after feeling immense pride when £20 million was secured for Rhyl through the UK Government’s Plan for Neighbourhoods. She is committed to working with partners to deliver long-term change - creating good jobs, improving wellbeing and supporting a more prosperous future.

She hopes the 10-year plan will build on recent regeneration.

For Gill, success means a thriving, confident Rhyl with stronger opportunities, better jobs and improved wellbeing for all.

Cllr Jason McLellan - Leader of Denbighshire County Council and Lead Member for Economic Growth and Tackling Deprivation

Jason Mclellan (Image: Submitted)

Jason brings long public service experience to the board. A North Wales resident who grew up in Prestatyn, where he now lives, he studied Law at the University of Liverpool before building many years of experience as a solicitor across North Wales and the Northwest.

First elected as a County Councillor in 2012, he went on to chair the Corporate Governance Committee and serve as Deputy Leader of the Labour Group, later drawing on his legal and advisory background to work with a Member of Parliament and two Members of the Senedd, including the Deputy Presiding Officer.

Since 2022, Jason has served as Leader of Denbighshire County Council and Lead Member for Economic Growth and Tackling Deprivation, chairing Cabinet and contributing to a wide range of regional committees and boards. He joined the Board to help shape a long-term vision that strengthens opportunity, wellbeing and pride in place.

For Jason, success after 10 years means seeing the £20m investment deliver lasting economic growth, reduced deprivation and a Rhyl that residents feel truly proud of.

Julie Pierce - Chief Executive Officer of Citizens Advice Denbighshire

Julie Pierce (Image: Submitted)

Julie brings more than 20 years of experience across the third sector and local government. Rhyl is the town where she was brought up, and her early life in a working-class household shaped her understanding of inequality, resilience, and the importance of strong communities.

Julie joined the board to contribute to Rhyl’s future in a meaningful and strategic way, using both her professional expertise and personal insight to help shape regeneration. Her work has included leading large programmes, securing funding, and building partnerships across organisations such as Denbighshire County Council, the British Red Cross, and Mind.

She hopes the strategy will tackle inequality, strengthen community voice, and improve access to services, employment, and financial resilience.

Justin Bell - General Manager of Rhyl Miniature Railway

Justin Bell (Image: Submitted)

Justin has a lifelong connection to the town. He moved to Rhyl in 1985 when his parents bought a guest house on River Street, giving him early insight into the town’s tourism industry. Since volunteering at the railway in 1999, what began as a way to fill an afternoon has grown into a long-term passion and career. Under his leadership, the railway - recognised as the oldest miniature railway in the UK - has expanded significantly, increasing its operating days and restoring historic locomotives and carriages.

Justin joined the board to help improve both Rhyl itself and how it is perceived. His background includes working in retail, supporting a scout troop, and contributing to the family business, all of which have shaped his understanding of the town and its community.

He hopes the strategy will deliver real improvements by listening to people from the area, increasing jobs, attracting more visitors, and supporting thriving shops and attractions.

Cllr Barry Mellor - Denbighshire’s Cabinet Lead Member for Environment, Highways, Transport, Climate and Ecological Change

Barry Mellor (Image: Submitted)

Barry has made Rhyl his beloved home since the mid-1980s. Born in Manchester in 1950, Barry left school at 15 to join the Merchant Navy, later spending time as a Red Coat at Butlins before moving to Scotland with his young family. Much of his working life was spent behind the wheel, driving buses for major operators across the UK and eventually becoming General Manager for Arriva for his final 15 years before retiring in 2015.

Barry speaks passionately about wanting residents to feel proud of their town. He joined the Rhyl Neighbourhood Board through his council portfolio, driven by a desire to listen to local people and make a meaningful difference.

He believes in finding new ways to bring the high street into the 21st century and acknowledges that every town is facing similar challenges.

His hope for the plan is to use it as a foundation to attract even more investment, ideally doubling it, to help turn the town around.

Simon Keeting – North Wales Police Officer and part of the Neighbourhood Policing Team based in Rhyl

Simon Keeting (Image: Submitted)

Having lived locally for more than 40 years and worked for North Wales Police for over 20 years, with the last eight based in Rhyl, Simon has a strong personal and professional connection to the town. His community-focused role has allowed him to build trusted relationships with residents, groups, and young people, alongside his involvement as a coach with a sports group for more than 12 years.

Simon joined the board because he believes trust, honesty, and transparency are essential in shaping Rhyl’s future. He wants to ensure residents have a voice in decisions and that the £20m, 10-year strategy delivers lasting benefits rather than short-term fixes.

His priorities centre on supporting young people, strengthening community partnerships, and helping groups work smarter together to maximise opportunities and shared resources.

MS for Clwyd representative - TBA

What do you think of the new board? Are these the right people to take Rhyl forward? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.