'Sustainable learning for a sustainable future'
25 years ago David Lort Phillips, owner of the Cymbrogi HQ site, dreamed of creating a learning centre to inspire a next generation of Charles Darwins.
Today, we want to build on that legacy and take it further: to inspire next generations of learners and educators to take on their futures with confidence.
People Purpose Place
Cymbrogi Companions come from all walks of life; they are educators, entrepreneurs, experts in sustainability, well-being, creative skills and collaborative activity; adventurers, poets and storytellers. What brings them together is the belief that learning must be done differently.
Our People
Our Core Crew
Liza Lort -Phillips
She has also co-created poetry pop-ups and teen theatre workshops, and volunteers as a mentor to young asylum seekers for the educational charity Refugee Support Network (RSN).
Inspired by The UN Global Goals, Wales’ Wellbeing of Future Generations Act and a desire to put her skills to work for the next generation of learners, she is committed to building the heart of Cymbrogi on one of the most iconic natural sites in Wales. Her co-founder Jamie Burdett, himself a long-time sustainability expert and co-creator of a closed loop innovation in the fashion industry (Worn Again), remains a close friend and advisor.
CEO & Co -Founder, Cymbrogi Futures
Pembrokeshire born, Liza has worked in sustainability and emerging markets for over 20 years. She has lived and worked in China, Africa and Latin America and worked with some of the world’s biggest brands, charities and social enterprises, many at Board level.
A farmer's daughter, she has a particular interest in sustainable food systems. Time spent in farms and factories around the world has taught her much about the inter-connectedness of local livelihoods, global consumer choices and the need for systems change.
Mathew Jones
Co-founder
Welsh born, with over twenty years experience in education Mathew has a passion for making a difference to young people’s lives. He has worked with over 400 Welsh schools and trained over 3200 Primary and Secondary Teachers.
In his ten years at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s (UWTSD), he has worked with all key government agencies on the new curriculum - including the National Digital Learning Council for Wales, Estyn, the Education Workforce Council (EWC) and the Education Consortia.
When he is not shaping the future of Cymbrogi, he works with the Open University as the Primary PGCE Tutor for Wales.
Mathew has joined Cymbrogi because he shares a belief in enabling future generations sustain and nurture an equitable, sustainable and socially-progressive world - in Wales and beyond. One that puts wellbeing at its heart.
Rob Gratton
Rob's experience in learning design and teacher development is helping shape Cymbrogi Learn. Rob's area of expertise is Collaborative Activity, how we can both harness the power of collaboration through enhancing our innate capacity and ability to collaborate and how we can collaborate with others more effectively in practice.
Rob has worked to support numerous organisations internationally to enhance their practices of collaboration and played a fundamental role in establishing UCL Academy; a University-sponsored Academy in North London driven by the practices of Collaborative Group Learning.
Director of Cymbrogi Learn
Rob is an experienced educationalist with over a decade working as a teacher, school leader, teacher trainer and researcher with the UCL Institute of Education.
A History graduate, with a Masters in Guiding Effective Learning and in the closing stages of a decade long Doctoral study into the nature of Collaboration, Rob has been fortunate to work across numerous innovative and forward thinking projects within Education. Rob is a passionate Social Scientist and advocate for a human centred approach to individual, societal and global sustainable practice..
Cymbrogi Learn, part of Cymbrogi Futures, is shaped by a collective of knowledgeable, compassionate and future-orientated individuals and organisations. We call them our Champions. We've harnessed their knowledge, skills and passion to bring you Cymbrogi Learn.
Together we are working towards becoming a certified UK B Corp.
Our Champions
We want to connect educators and learners with the fast-emerging realities of their world
and inspire them to take on the challenges.
'Empowering today's learners to shape tomorrow's sustainable world.'
Our Purpose
Our Place
Cymbrogi's home sits at the heart of the Pembrokeshire National Park, in the upper reaches of one of the country's treasured ‘hidden waterways. This former castle site has been inspiration and home to explorers past and present.
Situated in the village of Lawrenny, the site overlooks the River Cleddau, an estuary teeming with marine life and rich in ancient woodland, with a working organic dairy farm on its doorstep.
At the heart of three natural ecosystems - an estuary, ancient woodland, and an organic farm - we challenge you to find a more inspirational place to learn!
