Hosted by Nuffield Cymru, almost a decade has passed since the conference was last held in Wales and, as an organising committee, we are pulling out all the stops to make this year’s conference truly memorable. Taking place at the magnificent City Hall in Cardiff, the conference will take a slightly different format this year being held on Wednesday, 23^rd and Thursday, 24^th November, with the pre-conference visits to be arranged for Tuesday, 22^nd November.

The majestic City Hall stands in the heart of the capital and was opened in 1906, a year after Cardiff was granted its city status. It will provide the perfect backdrop for another jam-packed programme of scholar presentations together with a celebration of Welsh culture, food and drink.

Among the many high-profile speakers at the conference will be Nigel Owens MBE, who will address the Gala Dinner. After retiring from his hugely successful career as an international rugby referee, Nigel has fulfilled his lifelong ambition of becoming a farmer. He is sure to entertain with his trademark straight talking, wit and humour.

Above all, the conference will be an opportunity to socialise and meet scholars old and new.

I hope you can join us for what I promise will be a conference to remember.

See you there.

Aled Rhys Jones