Rhodri Thomas was born and grew up in South Wales. He has lived in The Vale of Glamorgan for four years. He has two children who go to the local primary school and is chair of a voluntary association in his village. He is also a member of the Vale Transition Group. He has worked in both the arts and sciences as well as in the public sector. In recent years his work has been concerned with sustainable development across Wales, during the course of which he has dealings with people in many sectors and liaises with local government and the National Assembly Government.