Narrative Biography
Rhion was educated at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth and Balliol College, Oxford. He became involved in personnel management before it was rechristened 'HR', gaining experience in the motor industry, the (then) public water industry, and information technology. He subsequently spent several years advising suppliers and users of customer service systems. For over thirty years he has specialised in helping public bodies interact with a wide range of stakeholders, authoring more than forty White Papers and briefings on all aspects of this relationship.
In 2003, he became co-founder and Programme Director of the Consultation Institute and, over nineteen years, developed this not-for-profit best practice organisation into one of the most respected and authoritative players in the field of public engagement and participation. When he and Elizabeth Gammell wrote 'The Art of Consultation' in 2008, it was the first and only book on public consultation. In 2018, they followed this up with 'The Politics of Consultation' drawing upon years of experience during which Rhion has delivered around 500 training courses and Masterclasses.
As of November 2022, he has authored over 380 Topic papers and over 60 Briefings on Public Consultation. He has undertaken or supervised over 120 consultancy assignments for Institute clients and is in demand as a specialist Facilitator, Workshop Leader and Conference Speaker.
In March 2017 Rhion was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by The Association for Healthcare Communications & Marketing.
In his spare time, and true to his Welsh heritage, Rhion has belonged to numerous choirs, having sung tenor for over fifty-five years. He is also an avid theatre-goer and opera lover. His sporting prowess used to extend to golf and cricket but he excels at neither at the present time. In winter, Rhion and his long-suffering wife, Lesley, are keen skiers, and he claims to have visited over 50 ski resorts since 1974!