Skip to content

New boss confirmed at Welsh-language TV channel

Ben Frampton
BBC news
Matthew Horwood Delyth Evans wearing a grey jacket and red top, in front of a slate background which is out of focus. She has short blonde hair and is wearing a pair of black circle stud earrings while smiling at the cameraMatthew Horwood
Delyth Evans, who has a background in journalism and politics, has been described as having "a passion for seeing the Welsh language flourish"

A new boss at a TV channel hit by a bullying scandal has been confirmed by the UK government.

Former Labour politician Delyth Evans has taken over as chairwoman of S4C, replacing former Tory MP Guto Bebb, who spent 12 months as interim chairman.

Evans started the role on 1 May after being appointed by Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy.

She joins S4C after a tumultuous period that saw former chief executive Sian Doyle sacked in November 2023 after claims of a toxic and bullying culture at the channel, followed by Evans' predecessor Rhodri Williams telling the UK government he did not want a second term in charge.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) also announced the appointment of five new members to the S4C board - Dr Gwenllian Lansdown Davies, Dyfrig Davies, Wyn Innes, Betsan Powys and Catryn Ramasut.

The DCMS said that two of the nominees have been involved with Plaid Cymru in the past - Gwenllian Davies was a councillor until 2011 and was the party's chief executive between 2007 and 2011.

She is also chief executive of early-years Welsh language education group Mudiad Meithrin.

Former TV company managing director Dyfrig Davies had canvassed for the party, although the statement said that had not been the case for at least 10 years.

Before politics, Evans was a journalist at ITV-broadcaster HTV Wales, working on current affairs programme Y Byd ar Bedwar for S4C.

Powys is a former political editor of BBC Wales and former editor of the BBC's Welsh language radio and online services.

She later worked as a reporter for the World at One and PM for BBC Radio 4 before representing Mid and West Wales in the then-National Assembly for Wales from 2000 to 2003.

After her stint in politics she was chief executive of Smart Works, a women's employment charity, and is a board member at Sport Wales.

S4C chief executive Geraint Evans said: "Delyth brings a wealth of leadership and governance experience as well as a passion for seeing the Welsh language flourish in every corner the country.

"I, along with the rest of the S4C team, am eagerly looking forward to working with Delyth as we begin a new chapter in our history."

Choosing the job is the responsibility of the UK government, which was accused of risking "public trust in Welsh media" by a senior Welsh Conservative, because of Evans' Labour background.