Rhys is a Senior Programme Manager at Challenge Works, and is currently overseeing the Ofwat Innovation Fund. The £200 million fund was set up by Ofwat to grow the water sector’s capacity to innovate, enabling it to better meet the evolving needs of customers, society and the environment. 

Rhys has previously led the delivery of the CareerTech Challenge Prize with the Department for Education, a £1.2m programme to better equip adults to navigate a rapidly changing world of work; and oversaw the final stages of the Afri-Plastics Challenge, including the Afri-Plastics Summit and Awards, which brought together innovators from across sub-Saharan Africa for two days of discussion on the challenges and opportunities in managing marine plastic waste.

Prior to joining Challenge Works, Rhys led the Queensland Government’s Innovation in Government team, where he oversaw the delivery of programs which connected startups, SMEs and researchers with complex government challenges. 

In his free time, Rhys enjoys reading, cooking and photography.