The (), or Presiding Officer in English, is the speaker of the Senedd in Wales, elected by members of the Senedd to chair their meetings (plenary sessions); to maintain order; and to protect the rights of Members.
The also heads the Corporate Body (known as the Senedd Commission) and as such is viewed as a figurehead for the entire organisation. At least one Deputy Presiding Officer (; also known as a Deputy Llywydd), and up to two, are also elected to help fulfil the role. The office of the is based in and is also responsible for the Pierhead Building in Cardiff Bay. In their roles, neither the nor the Deputy Presiding Officer(s) are allowed to participate in votes, except where legislation requires those votes to be passed by two-thirds of all Members.
Role of the The main function is to chair plenary sessions of the , to maintain order and to protect the rights of Members. They are responsible for ensuring that business is handled on the basis of equality and impartiality.
The , as Chair of the Business Committee, is also responsible for recommending changes to Standing Orders and is the final authority on their interpretation. The also acts as Chair of the Senedd Commission, and has special responsibility for promoting democratic engagement, leadership, developing the Senedd's future legislative powers and external relations.
The also normally facilitates the Chairs' Forum, where cross-cutting issues relating to subject committees are discussed. In addition to this, the acts as the ambassador for the , attending speakers' conferences and other events in order to publicise and raise the profile of the .
Llywydd's Committee The statutory role of the Llywydd's Committee is to scrutinise the financial estimates of the Electoral Commission, as relates to devolved elections and referendums. During the Sixth Senedd, it was chaired by the Deputy Presiding Officer, David Rees.
List of and Deputy Presiding Officers Current and Deputy Presiding Officer
PositionCurrent holder Term startedPolitical party Constituency (Presiding Officer) Huw Irranca-Davies 12 May 2026 Labour Afan Ogwr Rhondda Deputy Presiding Officer Kerry Ferguson 12 May 2026 Plaid Cymru Ceredigion Penfro
List of Llywyddion (Presiding Officers)
Name Picture Entered office Left office Political party Dafydd Elis-Thomas, Lord Elis-Thomas AM 12 May 1999 11 May 2011 Plaid Cymru Dame Rosemary Butler AM 11 May 2011 11 May 2016 Labour Elin Jones MS 11 May 2016 12 May 2026 Plaid Cymru Huw Irranca-Davies 12 May 2026 Incumbent Labour
List of Deputy Presiding Officers Name Picture Entered office Left office Political party Jane Davidson AM 12 May 1999 17 October 2000 LabourJohn Marek AM 19 October 2000 7 May 2003 Labour 7 May 2003 9 May 2007 Forward Wales Rosemary Butler AM 9 May 2007 11 May 2011 Labour David Melding AM 11 May 2011 11 May 2016 Conservative Ann Jones MS 11 May 2016 12 May 2021 Labour David Rees MS 12 May 2021 12 May 2026 Labour Kerry Ferguson 12 May 2026 Incumbent Plaid Cymru
List of elections Llywydd electionsSenedd termDateCandidatesVotes received1st Assembly12 May 1999 Dafydd Elis-ThomasUnopposed2nd Assembly7 May 2003Dafydd Elis-ThomasUnopposed3rd Assembly9 May 2007Dafydd Elis-ThomasUnopposed4th Assembly11 May 2011 Rosemary ButlerUnopposed5th Assembly11 May 2016Elin Jones34Dafydd Elis-Thomas256th Senedd12 May 2021Elin Jones35Russell George257th Senedd12 May 2026Huw Irranca-Davies85Paul Davies(did not receive a seconder)
List of Deputy Presiding Officer elections Deputy Presiding Officer electionsVotes receivedSenedd termDateCandidatesVotes received1st Assembly12 May 1999 Jane DavidsonUnopposed19 October 2000John Marek28Rosemary Butler272nd Assembly7 May 2003John Marek30Peter Law293rd Assembly9 May 2007Rosemary ButlerUnopposed4th Assembly11 May 2011David Melding46William Graham125th Assembly11 May 2016Ann Jones30John Griffiths296th Senedd12 May 2021David Rees35Hefin David247th Senedd12 May 2026Kerry FergusonUnopposed
See also Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly Speaker of the House of Commons (United Kingdom) Lord Speaker
References
External links Office of the Llywydd