Former comedy executive takes over at troubled Welsh broadcaster

Former comedy commissioner Sioned Wiliam has been appointed interim chief executive of S4C.

She will be charged with overturning an allegedly toxic culture at the Welsh language broadcaster.

Chairman Rhodri Williams has been accused of acting in a ‘bullying and aggressive’ towards two female executives who he fired.

One of them, Sian Doyle was taken to hospital in December after taking an overdose after  losing her job as chief executive. She too was accused of acting in a ‘confrontational, abusive, and inconsiderate manner’.

Content chief Llinos Griffin-Williams was also sacked for gross misconduct after a drunken rant at production staff, but subsequently alleged Williams ‘shouted and screamed aggressively’ at her, leaving her ‘physically shaken and tearing up... getting heart palpitations’.

Williams has told UK Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer that he wants to leave the post after his current term comes to an end in March.

Wiliam is well known in the broadcasting industry as a former BBC Radio 4 comedy commissioner and former head of comedy at ITV. She was previously a producer at Talkback and Hat Trick.

She will start her work part-time in March, before joining S4C full-time in April.

The broadcaster says she will be tasked with restoring ‘the trust of S4C staff and the creative sector by looking at the leadership, culture, HR policies and procedures, and governance of the organisation’.

In a statement, Williams said: ‘I look forward to welcoming Sioned to S4C following an unprecedentedly difficult time for our workforce.

‘Sioned's leadership experience as well as her background and experience in the industry brings a breath of fresh air to S4C, and her priority will be to ensure the action plan inspires change across the organisation – for the benefit of our people, the creative sector and of course our audiences.

‘I know Sioned is keen to get to grips with restoring confidence and trust in S4C, ensuring that S4C is once again a happy place to work, that people feel they can be at their best and do their best for S4C and the Welsh language.’

Wiliam said: ‘I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity to be part of the story of S4C - a channel that has been an integral part of my life since it began - as a viewer, producer, presenter and as a grateful mum.

‘S4C’s offering is very special and the relationship between the channel and the audience is vital – I look forward to doing everything I can to facilitate this.

‘I want to make sure S4C is a good place to work, where staff are respected and supported. Everyone involved with the channel must be able to trust it knowing it will work for the benefit of the workforce, stakeholders and audience.’

Published: 29 Feb 2024