Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Like father

Delivering Quality First is an audition for a job. The BBC has appointed Rhodri Talfan Davies, one of the nine leaders of DQF workstreams, as Director, BBC Cymru Wales. Menna Richards left the role in February.

Cardiff-born, Welsh-speaking Rhodri is young for the role - I guess he's just into his 40s. He began his BBC career as a regional television news producer and reporter in Newcastle, Manchester and London before being appointed Head of Regional and Local Programmes in BBC Bristol in 1999. In 2001, Rhodri got a job with  Video Networks, which developed Home Choice (now talk talk TV). In 2004 he was appointed Director of Television Marketing at NTL Telewest, before returning to the BBC in 2006 as Head of Strategy and Communications at BBC Wales. Over the last six months, he has led the "Digital" workstream for Delivering Quality First.  Not sure of this, but I suspect he may still be living in Bristol - English addresses have previously disqualified other potential candidates.

Dad Geraint, at 67, is whatever the Welsh is for "eminence grise".  He's had all the top media jobs in Wales (including 10 years in the job his son has just got), and is still Chairman of the Welsh National Opera and the Institute for Welsh Affairs (concept apparently not derived from Under Milk Wood). He is also a non-executive director of Glas Cymru Cyf (Welsh Water).

  •  I'm grateful to Wales Online for pointing out that Rhodri is part of a dynasty.  His grandfather, Aneirin, joined the BBC after the second World War, and rose to Head of Programmes, BBC Wales in 1966. 

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