The Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport is a member of the cabinet in the Welsh Government. The current officeholder is Heledd Fychan since May 2026. It was previously a non-cabinet role known as the Deputy Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (), accountable to the cabinet minister for the economy. Established in 2014, the last officeholder was Dawn Bowden from May 2021 to March 2024.
List
Name Picture Entered office Left officeOther offices held Political party GovernmentNotesMinister for CultureJenny Randerson17 October 200030 April 2003Acting Deputy First Minister of Wales Liberal DemocratFirst Rhodri Morgan governmentMinister for Culture, Sports and Welsh LanguageAlun Pugh9 May 20033 May 2007LabourSecond Rhodri Morgan governmentMinister for CultureCarwyn Jones25 May 200719 July 2007Minister for Education and the Welsh LanguageLabourThird Rhodri Morgan governmentMinister for HeritageRhodri Glyn Thomas11 July 200718 July 2008Plaid CymruFourth Rhodri Morgan governmentAlun Ffred Jones28 July 200813 May 2011Plaid CymruFirst Jones governmentHuw Lewis13 May 201126 June 2013Minister for Housing and RegenerationLabourSecond Jones governmentMinister for Culture and SportJohn Griffiths14 March 201311 September 2014LabourSecond Jones governmentDeputy Minister for Culture, Sport and TourismKen Skates11 September 201420 May 2016LabourSecond Jones governmentMinister for Culture, Sport and TourismDafydd Elis-Thomas3 November 201713 May 2021IndependentThird Jones government First Drakeford governmentDeputy Minister for Arts and SportDawn Bowden13 May 202120 March 2024Chief Whip (–May 2023) Gained Tourism portfolio in February 2023.LabourSecond Drakeford governmentCabinet Minister for Culture and SportHeledd Fychan13 May 2026IncumbentChief Whip, TrefnyddPlaid Cymruap Iorwerth government
Responsibilities
The responsibilities of the post were:
Assist in establishing, growing, and developing businesses, by providing support (including export support) and advice Inward investment support Policy on international trade Information regarding entrepreneurship, enterprise and businesses Development Bank of Wales Economic Advisory Panel Council for Economic Development and Social Partnership Strategy Group Promoting Wales as a Business and Investment location Cardiff Capital Region City Deal and Swansea Bay City Deal Mid Wales Growth Deal and North Wales Growth Deal Manage economic development-related Welsh Government-owned property Services for business development and business skills Careers Policy and sponsoring Careers Choices Dewis Gyrfa (CCDG) Policy and delivery of Apprenticeships Policy and delivery of Youth and Adult employability Learning providers based on work Sector skills Developing Workforce skills Skills and employment-related European programmes Regional Skills Partnership National Occupational Standards A responsible business practices, competitiveness and growth regulatory framework Foundational Economy The social economy and Social Enterprise The co-operative economy Science Science policy development, including regular liaison with the Chief Scientific Adviser for Wales and the National Science Academy Life Sciences Research and Innovation, including knowledge transfer, research and development, and commercialisation, leading to the maximisation of innovation and research incomes, and Research Centres of Excellence Infrastructure for digital connectivity, such as the Public Sector Broadband Aggregation, and fast broadband and mobile Cross Government Digital and Data Policy & Strategy Major events Culture, the arts and creativity, including Creative Wales Policy on broadcasting Sponsoring the Arts Council of Wales and deciding its responsibilities Tourism in Wales (both within Wales and to Wales) Hospitality The historic environment of Wales Cadw Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales National Library of Wales Developing a National Archive for Wales National Botanic Garden of Wales Elite sport Community sport, active recreation and physical activity, sponsorship of Sports Council for Wales The Valleys taskforce and programme 2014–2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Shared Prosperity Fund / Community Renewal Fund The post-holder notably announced a registration and licensing scheme for all visitor accommodation in Wales. The post is accountable and deputy to the Minister for the Economy.
See also
Ministry
References