S4C chairman Rhodri Williams doesn't want second term

S4C chairman Rhodri Williams has declined a second term but rejected calls to resign.

However, S4C chairman Rhodri Williams has dismissed suggestions he should resign.

The head of a TV channel marred by scandal has expressed his unwillingness to seek reappointment. Rhodri Williams, the chairman of S4C, has formally communicated to the UK government, requesting not to be considered for a second term. The Welsh language channel has faced turmoil with the dismissal of two senior officers over bullying allegations. Williams, concluding his chairmanship on April 1, highlighted the unprecedented behavior of senior executive Llinos Griffin-Williams, who denies the accusations and is pursuing legal action. In his recent interview addressing the investigation initiated in May, Williams rejected calls for his resignation.

He expressed, “The past year has proven to be the most challenging for S4C. We found ourselves in a difficult position when the BECTU union sent us a letter expressing serious concerns about the conduct of certain members of the management team.”

Speaking on S4C’s Newyddion program, Mr. Williams stated that he was satisfied with the unanimous decision made by the board to address the issue. “It was the right decision to engage an external and independent company for the investigation. Upon receiving their findings, we had no option but to dismiss the former chief executive.”

“I believe the board, along with myself as chair, have acted appropriately and in the best interests of S4C staff and the organization as a whole.”

Last week, Mr. Williams appeared before committees at both Westminster and the Senedd. Subsequent to these sessions, politicians from both committees wrote to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), which oversees S4C, urging the appointment of a new chairman.

In response, Mr. Williams criticized the politicians, expressing concern about the focus of their questions. He emphasized that the central issue, in his view, is how staff have been treated by the leadership, and he believes that scrutiny should be directed towards them.

Stephen Crabb, Chairman of the Welsh Affairs Committee in Westminster, accused Mr. Williams of assuming the roles of “judge, jury, and executioner” while using the legal firm Capital Law as a shield. Mr. Williams countered, asserting that Crabb likely had not read the Capital Law report, particularly its findings on how the former chief executive treated staff. He deemed the accusation “completely groundless,” noting that all decisions were made unanimously by the board.

When approached for a comment, Mr. Crabb offered no response.

Mr. Williams defended his unilateral decision to dismiss the channel’s former chief content officer, Ms. Griffin-Williams, who was accused of mistreating former Wales rugby player Mike Phillips. He asserted that he acted based on legal advice, emphasizing the clear gross misconduct and the need to swiftly protect S4C’s reputation. In November, the former chief executive, Sian Doyle, was also terminated following a report citing a “culture of fear” at the channel.

When questioned about the lack of appeals for both dismissals, Mr. Williams explained that the processes were outlined in their contracts and employment law, stating that adhering to these protocols was essential for a public body like S4C when faced with such behavior.

In response to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s (DCMS) call for addressing serious cultural and managerial issues, the S4C board acknowledged the comments and committed to implementing plans. Meanwhile, the DCMS announced the initiation of the process to appoint a replacement for Mr. Williams, who opted not to seek a second term following the secretary of state’s letter.

Rhodri Williams, the current chairman of S4C, has made the decision not to seek a second term in his role. This announcement comes as a surprise to many, as Williams has been at the helm of S4C during a crucial time for broadcasting in Wales. His tenure has seen the channel navigating various challenges and changes in the industry, and his decision not to continue has sparked discussion about the future of S4C. While there’s no doubt that Williams has left a mark on the organization, his departure opens the door for new leadership and fresh perspectives. It will be interesting to see who steps into this important role and what direction they will take S4C in. What are your thoughts on this news? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments below!