A Legacy of Leadership: Celebrating Rachel Connor

It is with great respect and admiration that we announce Rachel Connor, our Chief Executive Officer of Glamorgan Voluntary Services (GVS), will be retiring at the end of March 2026.

Rachel’s journey with our organisation began in 1992 when, with funding from the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA), she established the Vale Volunteer Bureau (VVB) and served as its Director for ten years. In 1996, alongside Steve Cox, one of our Deputy Chairs, she attended a pivotal meeting in Cardiff regarding the future of the South Glamorgan County Voluntary Council ahead of Local Government reorganisation.

Rachel and Steve advocated for a dedicated County Voluntary Council to serve the Vale of Glamorgan. Later that year, they formed a steering group to bring this vision to life, and in April 1997 the Vale Centre for Voluntary Services (VCVS) was officially established, with Rachel as Chair - a role she held for four years.

In 2002, following the departure of then CEO Dave Maggs, Rachel was appointed Chief Executive Officer. Since then, she has guided the organisation with vision and dedication, including celebrating the 10-year anniversary of GVS, born from the merger of two initiatives she nurtured: the VVB and VCVS.

As colleagues, we want to express how profoundly Rachel will be missed. Throughout her tenure, she has been an incredibly supportive and compassionate leader, treating everyone with kindness, dignity, and respect.

At the same time, Rachel has inspired excellence and a strong work ethic - her example made it clear that dedication to the organisation and its people is paramount. She has been a truly exceptional leader, guiding GVS and its staff with care, vision, and integrity. Rachel was also instrumental in securing funding and pivotal in acquiring the three buildings that we now proudly operate from, a tangible legacy of her leadership and determination.

Her impact will endure not only in the strength and resilience of the organisation she helped build, but also in the confidence, commitment, and values she has instilled in the people around her. We thank Rachel sincerely for her dedication and wish her every happiness in her well-earned retirement.