3 The preferred candidate: Huw Jones
The candidate's background
15. Huw Jones is a former Chief Executive of
S4C (1994-2005). He currently holds a number of remunerated and
non-remunerated posts including: Deputy Chair, Wales Employment
and Skills Board; Member of the Systems Review Committee of UK
Commission for Employment and Skills and of the Investors in People
Advisory Panel; Member of the Welsh Language Board; Chair, Portmeirion
Ltd (visitor attraction and hotels); and Chair and consultant,
Cyfle Cyf (a media training agency).
Our evidence
16. In line with the guidance produced by the
Liaison Committee on the conduct of pre-appointment hearings,
our questioning was intended to test the professional competence
and personal independence of the candidate. In particular, we
questioned Huw Jones about the following specific matters:
a) the recruitment process;
b) any relevant expertise that he could bring
to the post;
c) his ability to deal and negotiate with ministers;
d) the future priorities of the S4C Authority;
e) the relationship between S4C and the BBC;
f) the impact of changes to the funding of S4C;
and
g) the future governance and accountability of
S4C.[9]
The Committee's view on the suitability
of the candidate
17. Huw Jones has held a number of senior posts
in his career, notably his eleven year tenure as Chief Executive
of S4C. Given the Welsh Affair Committee's recent Report into
S4C, which called on the broadcaster to put its recent troubled
period firmly behind it, we were particularly keen to determine
whether the candidate had the necessary attributes to guide S4C
through the challenges of the next few years. The Committees note
that the position of S4C Chairman requires up to three days per
week of the post holder's time. While we are confident that Mr
Jones recognises the time commitment required for this post, he
must be careful to assure himself—and the S4C Board—that
the demands of his numerous outside interests do not conflict
with his role as Chairman of S4C. Mr Jones was able to reassure
us that he possessed a clear vision for the future of S4C and
was committed to furthering the interests of the Welsh language
channel in its relationship with the BBC and protecting its vital
relationship with the independent television sector in Wales.
We welcome Mr Jones's commitment made during his evidence that
improving S4C's viewing figures will be his priority.
18. We are satisfied that Huw
Jones has demonstrated the high degree of professional competence
and personal independence required for the post. We recommend
that the Minister proceed with the appointment. We wish Mr Jones
well in his new post and we look forward to working with him in
the future.
9 The transcript of our evidence session with Mr Jones
is available at: www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/welsh-affairs-committee/publications/ Back
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