Williams applies for chairman role
Rhodri Williams, the former director of Ofcom in Wales, has applied to be the new chairman of the S4C Authority, we can reveal.
Mr Williams has been a member of the S4C board since July 2018 and has told colleagues that he wants to succeed Huw Jones as chairman.
Since broadcasting is not devolved, the appointment is made by the Secretary of State for Digital Culture Media and Sport (DCMS), Nicky Morgan.
An assessment panel composed of five people is due to shortlist candidates on Monday.
Final interviews are due to take place on September 18, after which a recommendation on who to appoint will be made to Ms Morgan.
Out of courtesy the Welsh Government’s Deputy Culture Minister Lord Elis-Thomas – a close friend of Mr Williams’ – would be informed of the Secretary of State’s decision, but he would not have any influence over what is decided.
A Welsh broadcast industry source said: “This is a crucial time for S4C and it’s important that whoever is appointed as chair is prepared to back the channel’s independence to the hilt.
“Despite what S4C and the BBC may say, there remain concerns that S4C’s financial and editorial independence could be at risk from a BBC power grab, and the board needs to be led by someone who would resist any such move.
“Rhodri Williams has been very open in telling people that he’s applying for the role. No other names have cropped up in connection with the post.”
The DCMS has published details of those who will sit on the assessment panel.
It includes Robert SpectermanGreen, director, media & creative industries at the DCMS; Hugh Hesketh-Evans, a serving board member of S4C; Elisabeth Watkins, described as a senior independent panel member; Ashok Ahir, director of communications at the UK government’s Welsh Office and a former head of BBC Wales’ political unit; and Hywel Owen, a representative of the Welsh Government.
Mr Williams is a former journalist with Rebecca magazine and HTV Wales who went on to be a director with Agenda TV for 10 years, leaving in 2000.
From 1999 until 2004 he chaired the Welsh Language Board, succeeding Lord Elis-Thomas who went on to become an AM and the National Assembly’s first Presiding Officer.
Mr Williams joined the communications regulator Ofcom in 2004, running its Wales office.
In October 2017 Ofcom concluded that it broke its own procurement rules when a contract was awarded to a lobbying firm run by two former Labour special advisers and an ex Plaid Cymru AM.
Mr Williams left Ofcom March 2018 .
He did not respond to a message we left for him. in