The Welsh Conservatives have appointed former consultant surgeon Professor Christopher Wood to advise them on health, former member of the Prime Minister’s Business Council and CEO Joanna Knight OBE to advise them on the economy, and leading headteacher Alun Ebenezer to advise them on education in advance of the 2026 Senedd elections.
Making the announcements, Welsh Conservative Leader Darren Millar MS said that the appointments demonstrated are “a vital part” of the Welsh Conservatives’ “credible plan to fix Wales”.
Professor Christopher Wood graduated from the Welsh National School of Medicine, trained as a surgeon and became a consultant surgeon at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School at Hammersmith Hospital. He is a serial entrepreneur, with an international reputation for his ability to identify and develop innovative medicines, founding and managing successful biotechnology companies, including Bioenvision Inc and NuCana Biomed.
Joanna Knight OBE is the CEO of Leaders Inc and Property Academy, having formerly been Group CEO of leading outsourced communications provider, Moneypenny. In 2022, Knight was a member of the then Prime Minister’s Business Council and is currently the Chair of Wrexham and Flintshire’s Investment Zone Steering Board. Knight received an OBE for her services to the economy in the 2024 New Year Honours.
Mr Ebenezer, who was a Founding Headmaster of Fulham Boys School, has been the headteacher of Caldicot School in South Wales since June 2024, and overseen a dramatic improvement in pupil behaviour and attainment. A former free school meals pupil who was brought up in Blaenau Gwent, Mr Ebenezer is a champion of old-school values, a strict disciplinarian, and critic of the mollycoddling of children.
Commenting, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Darren Millar MS, said:
“The people of Wales are rightly concerned about the performance of the NHS, the future of our economy, and the standards of education in Wales.
“Unlike Labour and Plaid Cymru, we recognise the urgency of the crisis in our NHS, are unashamedly pro-business, and want to unleash the potential of every single child.
“Our new expert advisors will play a key role in helping to shape Welsh Conservative policy so we can further develop our credible plan to fix Wales.”
Welsh Conservative Healthcare Improvement Advisor Professor Christopher Wood said:
“I am grateful for the opportunity to work with the Welsh Conservative team and offer my advice on health policy.
“No patient should have to wait years for treatment or weeks for a GP appointment, yet this is has become the norm under Labour in Wales.
“We saw people across the healthcare profession work exceptionally hard during the pandemic to address the challenges we face. What we need now is that same focus and energy to solve the crisis in the Welsh NHS.
“I am looking forward to supporting Darren Millar and James Evans in the weeks and months ahead.”
Welsh Conservative Economic Growth Advisor Joanna Knight OBE said:
“Welsh economic policy needs a fundamental rethink.
“The lack of focus on business growth in Wales has been to the detriment of high-quality jobs and improved communities. Taxes are too high and regulations are stifling growth.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead, working with Darren Millar and Samuel Kurtz to help Welsh businesses maximise their contribution to our economy.”
Welsh Conservative Education Advisor Alun Ebenezer said:
“I am pleased to offer my expertise to the Welsh Conservatives and delighted to have been appointed to this important role.
“Every child deserves a decent education and that starts with restoring discipline in our classrooms, improving attendance, and providing the support our teachers and parents need.
“I look forward to working with Darren and Natasha Asghar to deliver the positive change our education system needs.”
