SWANSEA: Faith in Families CEO Cherrie Bija named IoD Wales Director of the Year in public and third sector category

Cherrie Bija, the chief executive of Faith in Families, has been named Public and Third Sector Director of the Year at the IoD Wales Director of the Year Awards 2026, sponsored by Buffoon Media.

The award, presented by the Institute of Directors — which has been supporting and developing business leaders since 1903 — recognises exceptional leadership across Wales, celebrating directors making a lasting difference within their organisations and communities.

Under Bija’s leadership, Faith in Families has grown into a trusted, community-rooted charity supporting children and families facing poverty, trauma and crisis across Swansea Bay, through initiatives including its network of Community Cwtches and the Cwtch Mawr Multibank.

Cwtch Mawr, which operates in partnership with Amazon and The Multibank UK, was the first multibank in Wales — redistributing surplus goods from businesses to families through a professional referral model designed to provide support with dignity.

Bija said the recognition belonged not to her but to everyone who makes the charity what it is.

“This award means so much, but it doesn’t belong to me,” she said. “It belongs to every single person who makes Faith in Families what it is — our team, our volunteers, and our partners who show up every day for children and families.”

She added: “Everything we do is for the families we support now, and for those we haven’t met yet. Every child deserves to feel safe, valued, and supported, and this recognition is a reminder of why that work matters so much.”

The award comes after a period of significant growth and recognition for the charity. Earlier this year, Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey visited the Cwtch Mawr Multibank to hear from Bija and her team about how rising costs, interest rates and financial pressure are affecting children across Swansea Bay.

Faith in Families also secured nearly £250,000 in Welsh Government funding for its Bonymaen Community Cwtch, and the Swansea Bay Business Club raised more than £40,000 for the charity in recognition of its work across the region.

Beyond her leadership of Faith in Families, Bija has played a wider role in shaping services and funding for children and families through national and regional leadership positions.

Faith in Families said it hoped the award would shine a light on the importance of early support, community connection and trauma-informed approaches in improving outcomes for children and families.

More on Faith in Families

Bank of England boss meets Swansea charity fighting child poverty
Governor Andrew Bailey visited the Cwtch Mawr Multibank to hear how economic decisions affect real families.

Faith in Families secures nearly £250k Welsh Government funding for Bonymaen Community Cwtch
Major grant secures the future of one of the charity’s key community hubs.

Swansea Bay Business Club smashes £40k charity target for Faith in Families
Local business community rallies around the charity with a record-breaking fundraising effort.

Amazon Swansea staff pack 950 school backpacks for local families
Amazon partners with Faith in Families to kit out hundreds of children ahead of the new school year.

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