Biography of Sarah Richards

About the Welsh Consumer Council

An increased amount of choice in goods and services should equate to better service for customers. However, this often leads to an increased focus on the most lucrative segments of the market place or broad-brush solutions designed to maximise effect with minimised effort.

The Welsh Consumer Council is the national consumer body for Wales. We work to ensure that the interests of all consumers are recognised. We work as an advocate for consumers, providing decision-makers with workable solutions to the issues that affect us all.

The Council currently works in the areas of food, housing, access to goods and services, public transport, sustainable consumption, consumer education, public services, health, consumer debt and financial services. We have a particular responsibility to represent the interests of people who are vulnerable or disadvantaged.

Sarah has been working as a Policy and Development Officer at the Welsh Consumer Council since 2003, with a specific portfolio covering the areas of ICT and Health issues.

Her published research has covered topics as diverse as internet shopping trends, online security for consumers, the digital divide, life for consumers without cars and consumer issues for black and minority ethnic groups.

Sarah has a Masters degree in Critical Security Studies from the University of Wales Aberystwyth, where she also attained her undergraduate degree in International Politics.

Previously, she has worked for the non-governmental international organisation Students Partnership Worldwide, the Ashden Trust, and as a Research Assistant for the University of Wales on a European-funded employment-skills project.

She is an associate member of the Market Research Society.