Conrad Watkins is the Director of Cyrenians Cymru


Finalist: Voluntary and Not for Profit

Conrad has worked for Cyrenians Cymru, a homelessness charity that works with socially excluded people in Swansea, for 15 years. He has made a tremendous difference to the services offered to homeless and disadvantaged people, expanding the charity’s services from a single hostel project to multiple projects that encompass housing, health, training, employment, recycling and community regeneration.

Conrad spent more than ten years endeavouring to secure funding for the provision of a healthy living centre. The project finally came to fruition in 2005 after Conrad successfully secured European and Heritage Lottery Funding. The centre now provides healthy meals, shower and laundry facilities and medical services, in partnership with Swansea Local Health Board. Prior to this, the Homeless Nurse was obliged to treat patients on the streets, often in potentially dangerous conditions. The project took a long time to bring about with many disappointments on the way but Conrad’s determination overcame adversity. Conrad has worked tirelessly to develop services for people on the margins of society and always recognised that a home is much more than simply a roof over your head.

His work has brought about the regeneration of a crumbling church building, giving it a new function, and the project provided employment in Swansea as well as essential services to the disadvantaged.

In terms of his staff, Conrad always listens and encourages them to develop and trial their ideas – through his encouragement, the Res a Rec Furniture Recycling Scheme and the Dragon Arts & Learning Project were implemented. Conrad manages democratically and is considered a true motivator, always fostering innovation. He cares a great deal about people and treats them fairly. He has never lost sight of who will benefit from his achievements and how much the underprivileged are in need of the provision of quality services.

Conrad is a great visionary, an incredibly creative person with great ideas – he will continue to work for the benefit of the Cyrenians charity, its staff and most importantly, its clients. He has a great sense of humour and enormous integrity.

Tell us something your colleagues don’t know about you?

I play mah-jono

Who inspires you?

People who remain positive in adversity

What is your top leadership tip?

Know your limits