After completing a master's degree in Medieval History at Bangor University, Fychan worked for the Plaid Cymru group in London.[4]
Career
Fychan worked for 12 years at the National Museum Wales, serving as Head of Policy and Public Affairs, and was also a lead for governance, strategy, internal communications, international relations and stakeholder engagement.[3]
In 2009, Fychan was elected to the board of the Museums Association.[2] She chaired the Ethics Committee and the Nations Committee, attending multiple international conferences.[3]
As a local councillor, Fychan was a vocal community activist. In 2017 she successfully campaigned to reopen Mill Street Post Office[7][8] and in 2018 she campaigned to save the Muni Arts Centre in Pontypridd, of which she was a volunteer trustee.[9] In 2020, she dealt with[clarification needed] severe flooding in Pontypridd[10] and led calls for an independent inquiry.[11]
Fychan was selected in May 2020 to be the Plaid Cymru candidate for the Pontypridd constituency for the 2021 Senedd election.[12] She came second in the election, behind Labour's Mick Antoniw, with 22.4% of the vote[13] but was elected to the Senedd from the South Wales Central regional list.[4]
Following the election Fychan became Plaid Cymru's spokesperson on culture, sport and international affairs.[14]
Fychan has served as Plaid Cymru's director of policy and political education.[15]
As MS for South Wales Central, Heledd Fychan called for a full investigation into the deaths of two boys after a police chase in Ely, Cardiff and the events following the incident.[16]
From 2021 until April 2026, Fychan served on the Senedd business committee; children, young people and education committee, and the Reform Bill committee. She chaired the Wales International cross party group and was vice-chair of the Public and Commercial Services Union group. She was a member of the following cross-party groups: academic staff in universities, arts and health, autism, children and families, children in our care, clean air, friends of Ukraine, lung health, music, peace and reconciliation, poverty, public transport, school food, tourism, universities, and women.[16]
Personal life
Fychan lives in Pontypridd with her husband and son.[2]
