We’re thrilled to reveal the first winner of a new ‘outstanding achievement’ award, recognising an individual who has made an exceptional and lasting impact on the voluntary sector in Wales.
The Graham Benfield Outstanding Achievement Award is part of the Welsh Charity Awards. New for 2026, this special honour celebrates those whose contribution goes beyond a single project or moment. It recognises individuals whose dedication, passion, and leadership have made a meaningful and enduring difference to communities across Wales.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNER
Marco Gil Cervantes, ProMo Cymru
Marco is a worthy first-time recipient of the Graham Benfield Outstanding Achievement Award for his exemplary leadership over 30 years in the voluntary sector in Wales. This includes his trailblazing leadership of ProMo Cymru, which has pioneered the use of digital with young people and communities and organisations across the country.
GROWING THE IMPACT OF PROMO CYMRU
Under his leadership, ProMo Cymru has grown from a single-person operation into a nationally and Europe-wide respected social enterprise employing over 50 staff. Its youth work practice has been described by the Education Workforce Council as ‘a snapshot of what 21st century youth work should look like’. Many participants have gone on to volunteer and then into paid work, some joining ProMo itself.
Marco recently stepped aside as Chief Executive to become Development Director, creating space for a new generation of leadership. He continues to support hundreds of organisations through ProMo Cymru’s training, consultancy and digital programmes to develop more participatory approaches to service design. This work has also shaped how the NHS, Welsh Government and local authorities design and deliver services with communities.
EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP ACROSS THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR
Marco has given years of voluntary service in national leadership roles, including as Executive Member and Treasurer of CWVYS, Chair of the Wales Internet Safety Partnership and Chair of the Digital Group of the Welsh Government’s Youth Implementation Board.
He developed Meic, Wales’ national helpline for children and young people, which has operated 16 hours a day, seven days a week for over 13 years.
Marco was also instrumental in saving Ebbw Vale Institute, the oldest in Wales, securing over £1.2 million in restoration funding and transforming it into a community hub now welcoming more than 6,000 visitors each month.
RECOGNISING THIRTY YEARS OF SERVICE
Thirty years on, Marco’s influence runs through the organisations he’s built and the communities his work continues to serve.
Marco will officially receive his award at the Welsh Charity Awards ceremony in October, Llongyfarchiadau Marco!
ABOUT THE AWARD
Graham Benfield, who sadly passed in 2025, was an incredibly influential voice for people and communities in Wales, with a profound impact on the voluntary sector both nationally and beyond.
As Chief Executive of WCVA from 1989 to 2014, he spent 25 years transforming the landscape for voluntary organisations, championing collaboration, strengthening support structures, and helping the sector to grow in confidence and impact.
By establishing this award, we hope to create a lasting legacy in Graham’s name, shining a light on those who, like him, have devoted themselves to improving lives and strengthening the voluntary sector for the long term.
The winner of the Graham Benfield Outstanding Achievement Award is selected by an independent judging panel and this category is supported by The Bower Trust.
WELSH CHARITY AWARDS
The winners of our eight other awards categories will be announced on the night, find out about who is in the running for an award.
The awards wouldn’t be possible without support from our headline sponsor, The Open University in Wales and all of our kind category sponsors.