Former Wales rugby captain Martyn Williams has taken up a new role with expanding firm Educ8.
Based in Ystrad Mynach the business offers employers opportunities such as Jobs Growth Wales and apprenticeship programmes as well as a solution to staff recruitment and development requirements.
Mr Williams, who won 100 Welsh caps, has been appointed in an ambassadorial role to promote the work Educ8 does with younger people and adult learners.
The former flanker, who also played for the British Lions, the Cardiff Blues and Pontypridd RFC, said: "Becoming an ambassador for Educ8 means a huge amount to me.
"When I met the board I was blown away with the strength of their values and I can massively relate to the culture of the business. I know the sort of people Educ8 is looking to help, adding value to their lives and the community.
"I’ve always been proud to be a team player and living my life along the same values as Educ8 such as honesty, integrity and hard work."
Founder and chairman, Colin Tucker, said: “This is a fantastic appointment to our business. Martyn is a globally recognised figure as a rugby player but also has an impressive reputation as a businessperson.
" We welcome Martyn to the Educ8 family and look forward to him helping us grow as a company and help young people and adult learners realise their potential and build better futures.”
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Since retiring from rugby, Mr Williams has qualified as an independent financial adviser.
Educ8 chief executive, Grant Santos, said: “This is another important landmark in our strategic growth plans. Martyn will help us promote the importance of education at all ages as well as assist us with our internal events.
"2019 has been a monumental year so far for us already and this is another reason to be proud of the company we have built and the work we are doing.”
Educ8 has operations across Wales and England. It was recently named the Best Small Company in Wales to work for at the annual Sunday Times Best Companies Awards, as well as acquiring hair and beauty training specialist ISA Training and nearly doubling its staff numbers in the process.