Neil Prior appointed Independent Member for Hywel Dda University Health Board
27 November 2025
Hywel Dda University Health Board has appointed Neil Prior as its new Independent Member (Community). His appointment follows a competitive recruitment process held earlier this year.
Neil succeeds Anna Lewis, who steps down from the role at the end of the year. Anna has served in the role with great dedication for almost eight years, the maximum tenure for an independent member. During her tenure, Anna strengthened the Board’s links with communities across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. She championed the voice of patients and the public and promoted openness and inclusion.
Neil, who takes up the role on 1 January 2026, brings broad experience in public service, leadership, and community engagement. He was elected as an Independent County Councillor in May 2017. Most recently, he served as Cabinet Member for Corporate Improvement and Communities at Pembrokeshire County Council. In that role, Neil remodelled the council’s transformation programme and secured investment in technology innovation. He also led the council’s first Programme for Administration, which set out the priorities of the coalition cabinet.
Neil stepped back from his Cabinet role in May 2025 to focus on community development and his wider work. In addition to his Councillor duties, he is a facilitator and coach on the Local Government Association and Welsh Local Government Association Leadership Programmes for Councillors. He also serves as a Non-Executive Director with Pobl Group, Wales’ largest housing association, and is an active peer member supporting local government improvement work.
Neil currently chairs his local Community Council and previously chaired Pembrokeshire’s Public Services Board. His dedication to local leadership was recognised nationally when he was a finalist in the 2021 LGIU Councillor Awards.
Neil Wooding, Chair of Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “I am delighted to welcome Neil to the Board. He brings a deep understanding of community priorities and strong experience in local government. Neil’s insight and enthusiasm for community-led improvement will help us deliver better outcomes for people in mid and west Wales.
“I also want to thank Anna Lewis for her exceptional service over nearly eight years. Her thoughtful contributions and compassion have helped shape our community engagement work. We are deeply grateful for her commitment, insight, and valued contribution to our Health Board and our communities.”
Neil Prior said: “It is a privilege to join Hywel Dda University Health Board as an Independent Member for Community. I am passionate about local voices and ensuring communities help shape their health and wellbeing. I look forward to working with colleagues to drive improvement and deliver the best outcomes for our region.”
Hywel Dda University Health Board is responsible for planning and delivering NHS services across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire. The Board provides leadership, sets strategy, and ensures that services meet the needs of local people. It is made up of Independent Members, who bring perspectives from the community and wider public life, and Executive Directors, who manage the organisation’s day-to-day operations and clinical services. Together, they ensure decisions are open, accountable, and focused on improving the health and wellbeing of the population.
ENDS