Ian Jones was part of the team that launched S4C in 1982
Welsh-language broadcaster S4C has announced the appointment of Ian Jones as its new chief executive.
Jones was originally part of the team which launched S4C in 1982, later working on network entertainment programming at ITV before returning to S4C as director of business.
According to a release, he left S4C in 1997 working for television companies including United News and Media, Granada International and Target Entertainment Group.
During his career he also served as Chair of the British Television Distribution Industry Association (BTDA). He was President of National Geographic Television International from 2004 to 2007 commuting regularly between Washington and London, before becoming Group Managing Director of Target Entertainment Group.
He will take up the post by April next year.
"Ian Jones has had an immensely impressive career in the international television industry since being head-hunted from S4C in 1997," Huw Jones, chair of the S4C authority said in the release.
"I'm very pleased he feels that the challenge facing S4C during the next few years is both exciting and attractive, and that he wants to return to Wales to be part of it with us.
"I'm certain his extensive and varied experience, his deep understanding of what creates a successful television service, and his reputation for establishing effective working partnerships, will be a huge advantage to S4C as he takes up the reins."
Huw Jones yesterday have a speech to the Institute of Welsh Affaird where he insisted that S4C's independence is not "all over", in light of planned changes to its funding and governance.
Under the proposed arrangements, S4C's funding will move from a direct department for culture, media and sport grant, to funding through the BBC licence fee.
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