S4C

Authority

S4C Authority

The S4C Authority is an independent body which is responsible for the provision of Welsh language television programme services. The Authority is accountable for S4C's output and the proper management of S4C.

Its statutory duties are placed upon it by the Communications Act 2003 and the Broadcasting Acts of 1990 and 1996. These duties include the preparation of an Annual Report and Accounts. The key roles of the Authority include the following:

  • to oversee, approve and scrutinise the proper management of S4C;
  • to ensure that S4C provides S4C's television services;
  • to operate as a public body; and
  • to act as a regulator on certain matters.

It is the responsibility of S4C's Chief Executive, officers and staff to manage and maintain S4C on a day to day basis. This responsibility includes the provision of S4C's television services. The Authority does not participate in any day-to-day decisions.

In particular it is not involved in any commissioning or editorial decisions. This long established practice maintains the independence of the Authority and ensures that it remains at arm's length from decisions made by the executive, especially in relation to programme content.

Latest news and announcements regarding the S4C Authority

  • Huw Jones
  • Rheon Tomos
  • Bill Davies
  • Cenwyn Edwards
  • Dyfrig Jones
  • Glenda Jones
  • John Davies
  • Winston Roddick

Huw Jones (Chairman)


08/06/2011

Huw Jones was formerly Chief Executive of S4C for almost 12 years between 1994-2005, following a successful career as an independent television producer, entrepreneur and performer. During his time as Chief Executive of S4C, Huw Jones chaired the Channel's commercial subsidiary and was Director of SDN Ltd, the digital terrestrial TV licence holder. He also chaired the Celtic Media Festival for three years.

Huw has been a prominent figure in Welsh language music and media since the late 1960s. He was one of the co-founders of record company Sain and was the company's Managing Director until 1981. He was co-founder of one of the first independent television production companies Teledu'r Tir Glas in Caernarfon in 1981 producing and overseeing entertainment, factual and children's programmes until taking up his post in S4C. Huw played a key role in the establishment of TV facilities company Barcud Ltd and chaired the company between 1981-1993. Huw was also the first Chair of TAC (Association of Welsh Independent Television Producers).

Huw was brought up in Cardiff. He studied Modern Languages at Jesus College, Oxford. He first came to prominence as a pop singer and TV presenter. Huw is currently Chair of Portmeirion Ltd, Deputy Chair of the Wales Employment and Skills Board and a Member of the Welsh Language Board. He is a member of the RSPB Council, and is Vice Chair of the Nant Gwrtheyrn Language Learning Centre.

Rheon Tomos (Vice Chairman)


07/12/2010

Rheon has a background in Accounting and Financial Management and is CPFA qualified. Rheon has both public and private sector financial experience and has been associated over many years with a range of boards and audit committees, including a period whilst working as a Director for Deloitte & Touche LLP.

In 2005 he set up his own consultancy working for a number of core clients on financial management, efficiency agenda developments and governance assignments. He is currently the Chair of CIPFA in South Wales and sits on the Institute's Regional Council. He is also Treasurer of Urdd Gobaith Cymru (Wales League of Youth). Rheon is Chair of the S4C Authority Audit and Risk Management Committee.

Before his appointment as Vice Chairman, he was a member of the Authority from 20/11/2006.

Bill Davies


16/07/2007 - 15/07/2011

Bill has 40 years experience of personnel and human resources management in Wales. He was Director of Personnel at Gwynedd Council for over ten years, and is currently Personnel Manager at Careers Wales North West. Previously, Bill worked for the Welsh Water Authority as Divisional Personnel Manager for North Wales, and before that, he was an Employee Relations Officer at the British Steel Corporation in Port Talbot.

Bill is a Lay Member as an Employer Representative at the Employment Tribunals Service and an Independent Assessor for the Welsh Assembly Government. He is Chair of Urdd Gobaith Cymru's Personel Panel and a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

He is also a director of Bryn Llifon, North Wales Baptist Home. Bill is Chair of the S4C Authority Personnel and Remuneration Committee.

Cenwyn Edwards


16/07/2007 - 15/07/2011

Cenwyn has held several senior roles in HTV including Controller of Factual Programmes, Controller North Wales Production and Head of Current Affairs. He started his career as a news reporter and political journalist. After more than 20 years at HTV, he moved to S4C where he was Head of Co-Production and Commissioning Editor Factual with executive responsibility for S4C2 and political affairs.

More recently, he was Director of Television at Tinopolis Group of companies where he led the company's strategic development, incorporating television production, interactivity and new media.

He now acts as a Media Consultant on international co-productions. Cenwyn is the Chair of the S4C Authority Content Committee and a member of the Personnel and Remuneration Committee.

Dyfrig Jones


20/04/2009 - 19/04/2013

Dyfrig Jones currently lectures at the School of Creative Studies and Media at Bangor University, specialising in Media Practice and Theory. His research interests include films and documentaries, production theory, media policy and comics.

From November 2006 to March 2009 he was the editor of Barn magazine, and previous to this he worked as a producer-director for Ffilmiau'r Bont, based in Caernarfon. He is also a Plaid Cymru councillor representing Gerlan ward on Gwynedd Council.

Dyfrig is a member of the S4C Authority Content Committee and a member of the Personnel and Remuneration Committee.

Dr. Glenda Jones


01/04/2010 - 31/03/2014

A graduate of Welsh literature from UCW Aberystwyth, Glenda went on to read Medieval Welsh at Aberystwyth, including a period at St John's College Cambridge, before gaining her PhD in 1990 from UCW. Having worked in broadcasting for over 20 years Glenda spent 15 years working for the BBC in Cardiff in their Television Production Department - 10 years as a Senior Executive for the Corporation and working ultimately as Chief Assistant to Controller Wales.

In 2000 she ventured into the freelance media and communications market and worked on a variety of managerial and production projects. Glenda was a member of BAFTA Cymru's Management Committee (2000-2006), chairing that Committee (2003-2005). Glenda is currently Chair of the trustees of the Ryan Davies Memorial Fund.

Over the past 5 years Glenda has spent an increasing amount of her time working in the field of training and facilitation for both public and private sector clients and has recently qualified as an Estyn lay inspector. Glenda is a member of the S4C Authority Content Committee and the Complaints and Compliance Committee.

John Davies


01/04/2010 - 31/03/2014

Councillor John Davies is currently the Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council. He was a member of the Authority's previous Cabinet with responsibility for Children, Education and the Welsh Language during a time of great change in the Primary Education Sector of Pembrokeshire. He is a former director of the WJEC examination Board and Welsh Books Council.

For nine years he was the rural voice on the Electricity Consumer Council and subsequently became a member of Energywatch Wales. John is also a former Deputy Presiding Officer of the Welsh Local Government Association for which he was spokesman for Education and Lifelong Learning for many years.

Since 2008 he has been Principal Leader of all Local Authorities in Wales. Between 2004 and 2008 he was a member of the Welsh Assembly Government ministerial advisory panel for School Standards and Improvement and until 2008 represented Wales on the National Employers Organisation for School Teachers. He is a member of Dyfed - Powys Police Authority. John is a member of the S4C Authority Content Committee and the Audit and Risk Management Committee.

Winston Roddick CB QC


01/09/2004 - 31/08/2012

Winston is a practicing barrister and was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1986. He is currently Leader of the Wales and Chester Circuit.

He was appointed Counsel General to the National Assembly for Wales in 1998 for a period of five years and was honoured as a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) and ordained as a member of the Gorsedd of the National Eisteddfod in 2004.

He is a Fellow and Vice-President of Aberystwyth University. He was a member of the Independent Television Commission for a period prior to his appointment to the National Assembly. He is Chair of the S4C Authority Complaints and Compliance Committee.