Aled Rhys Jones was born and raised on his family’s hill farm in Cwrt-y-Cadno, north Carmarthenshire. He studied Land Management at the University of Reading where he graduated with a First-Class Honours Degree in 2007. Shortly afterwards, Aled joined a leading South Wales surveying practice as an Assistant Land Agent. He then undertook his professional examinations and, in 2009, he qualified as a Chartered Surveyor (MRICS) and as a Fellow of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (FAAV).
After spending 6 years as a Land Agent, Aled was appointed the Assistant Chief Executive of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) in September 2013. Prior to his appointment, Aled was actively involved with the RWAS as a member of the Carmarthenshire Advisory Committee, the Board of Directors and was the inaugural Chairman of its Young Members’ Forum. During his time with the RWAS, he oversaw a period of significant change and contributed to the success of the Royal Welsh Show (one of Europe’s largest agricultural shows) and was the staff lead of the Royal Welsh Winter Fair.
In 2018, Aled was presented with an exciting opportunity to become the Chief Operating Officer to the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers; a specialist professional body representing rural professionals throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. He also established a freelance consultancy business offering land and property advice together with building a reputation as an emerging talent in media and as a professional speaker. As an effective communicator, Aled was chosen to present a weekly radio show called "West Wales Farming" which is broadcast every Sunday morning between 8am and 9am on three stations; Radio Pembrokeshire, Radio Carmarthenshire and Radio Ceredigion. He has also presented the well-respected daily agricultural bulletin broadcast on BBC Radio Cymru called “Bwletin Amaeth” and is a member of the British Guild of Agricultural Journalists.
Despite his professional commitments, Aled has also remained involved in the family farm where he has gained most of his knowledge and practical experience of agriculture.
Aled was very active in the Young Farmers movement and is past Chairman of Dyffryn Cothi YFC. He was named Senior Member of the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs of England and Wales in 2012 and won numerous awards for his public speaking, stock judging and acting skills. Named best actor in Carmarthenshire on three occasions and once in the Wales YFC final – he’s always been a bit of a performer!
As a well-respected figure in the agricultural industry, Aled successfully completed the Agri-Academy Rural Leadership Programme and was subsequently invited to be a member of the Future Farmers of Wales. He is also the leader of the Junior Agri Academy aimed at supporting young people aged between 16 and 19 who want to pursue careers in food and farming.
Aled is also a Nuffield Farming Scholar having been awarded the Young Nuffield (Bob Matson) Award presented to young entrepreneurs. His two-year scholarship took him around the globe, clocking up a total of 49,292 air miles (the equivalent of twice around the globe!), and he recently published his report on “Agricultural societies and shows: where do we go from here?”. He presented his paper at the Nuffield UK Conference at Newcastle in November 2016 and was awarded the John Stewart Shield for the Best Presentation out of 22 presenting scholars. He has subsequently been elected Secretary of Nuffield Cymru.
He is a gifted after dinner speaker and has presented at many conferences throughout the UK and as far as Singapore and Canada. In June 2017, Aled was elected a Trustee of the Royal Agricultural Societies of the Commonwealth and one of the Honorary Next Generation Facilitators. This role took him to South Africa in 2017 and Canada in 2018 to the 28th Commonwealth Agricultural Conference.
In addition, Aled is a non-executive director of Menter Bro Dinefwr which supports community regeneration and development of the Welsh language in the Cothi, Tywi and Aman valleys.
Aled is married to Lisa and both live in Llandeilo. They are keen runners and members of Amman Valley Harriers. Lisa completed the London Marathon in 2015 and Aled in 2016, but Aled had the better time though!
After spending 6 years as a Land Agent, Aled was appointed the Assistant Chief Executive of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) in September 2013. Prior to his appointment, Aled was actively involved with the RWAS as a member of the Carmarthenshire Advisory Committee, the Board of Directors and was the inaugural Chairman of its Young Members’ Forum. During his time with the RWAS, he oversaw a period of significant change and contributed to the success of the Royal Welsh Show (one of Europe’s largest agricultural shows) and was the staff lead of the Royal Welsh Winter Fair.
In 2018, Aled was presented with an exciting opportunity to become the Chief Operating Officer to the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers; a specialist professional body representing rural professionals throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. He also established a freelance consultancy business offering land and property advice together with building a reputation as an emerging talent in media and as a professional speaker. As an effective communicator, Aled was chosen to present a weekly radio show called "West Wales Farming" which is broadcast every Sunday morning between 8am and 9am on three stations; Radio Pembrokeshire, Radio Carmarthenshire and Radio Ceredigion. He has also presented the well-respected daily agricultural bulletin broadcast on BBC Radio Cymru called “Bwletin Amaeth” and is a member of the British Guild of Agricultural Journalists.
Despite his professional commitments, Aled has also remained involved in the family farm where he has gained most of his knowledge and practical experience of agriculture.
Aled was very active in the Young Farmers movement and is past Chairman of Dyffryn Cothi YFC. He was named Senior Member of the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs of England and Wales in 2012 and won numerous awards for his public speaking, stock judging and acting skills. Named best actor in Carmarthenshire on three occasions and once in the Wales YFC final – he’s always been a bit of a performer!
As a well-respected figure in the agricultural industry, Aled successfully completed the Agri-Academy Rural Leadership Programme and was subsequently invited to be a member of the Future Farmers of Wales. He is also the leader of the Junior Agri Academy aimed at supporting young people aged between 16 and 19 who want to pursue careers in food and farming.
Aled is also a Nuffield Farming Scholar having been awarded the Young Nuffield (Bob Matson) Award presented to young entrepreneurs. His two-year scholarship took him around the globe, clocking up a total of 49,292 air miles (the equivalent of twice around the globe!), and he recently published his report on “Agricultural societies and shows: where do we go from here?”. He presented his paper at the Nuffield UK Conference at Newcastle in November 2016 and was awarded the John Stewart Shield for the Best Presentation out of 22 presenting scholars. He has subsequently been elected Secretary of Nuffield Cymru.
He is a gifted after dinner speaker and has presented at many conferences throughout the UK and as far as Singapore and Canada. In June 2017, Aled was elected a Trustee of the Royal Agricultural Societies of the Commonwealth and one of the Honorary Next Generation Facilitators. This role took him to South Africa in 2017 and Canada in 2018 to the 28th Commonwealth Agricultural Conference.
In addition, Aled is a non-executive director of Menter Bro Dinefwr which supports community regeneration and development of the Welsh language in the Cothi, Tywi and Aman valleys.
Aled is married to Lisa and both live in Llandeilo. They are keen runners and members of Amman Valley Harriers. Lisa completed the London Marathon in 2015 and Aled in 2016, but Aled had the better time though!