Key
interests and achievements
Hefin
David’s interests as a Member of the Senedd are in the area of small firm development
and growth, employment and employability, access to further and higher
education for those with additional needs and the development of Valleys
communities. He is interested in housing, including freehold/leasehold reform,
and reform of the planning system. He is also interested in the long-term
effects of coronavirus (Long-COVID) on individuals. Hefin holds a BScEcon in
Economics and Politics, an MScEcon in European Policy, both from Cardiff
University. He also holds a PGCE from the University of South Wales, and a PhD
from the University of Gloucestershire. Hefin is Fellow of the Higher Education
Academy (FHEA) and an Academic Associate of the Chartered Institute of
Personnel and Development (CIPD).
Personal
history
Hefin
was born and brought up in the Caerphilly constituency, where he still lives.
He is governor of two schools and a trustee of the Caerphilly Miners Centre for
the Community.
Professional
background
Before
being elected to the Senedd, Hefin was a Senior Lecturer at Cardiff Metropolitan
University. He taught Human Resource Management and Professional Practice to
undergraduates and postgraduates, with an emphasis on employability. Hefin’s
research interests were in small business employment and growth and his PhD
explored the first employment decisions of small firm owner-managers. He has
experience of working and teaching in Germany, Greece, India and China.
Political
history
Hefin
was elected to Caerphilly County Borough Council at a by-election in March 2007
and served continuously until standing down at the 2017 local government
elections. He was the Chair of the Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee from
2012-2016 and in that time the Committee considered a number of issues in the
public interest, including alleviating the worst effects of the Bedroom Tax and
reducing the use of bed and breakfast accommodation for emergency homing.