11/7/2003

S4C has announced that Iona Jones is the channel's new Director of Programmes.
Iona returns to S4C following three years with HTV where she worked as Group Controller of Corporate Affairs.

An experienced broadcaster, Iona began her career as a presenter and announcer with BBC Cymru Wales before being appointed editor of Taro Naw and Newyddion, produced by the BBC for S4C.

She has worked as a producer on current affairs programmes and established the children's news programme Ffeil. She joined S4C in 1995 as Director of Corporate Affairs before moving to HTV in 2000.

Following the purchase of HTV by Carlton in 2001, she was chosen to represent all Carlton's regional companies throughout Britain in relation to the current Communications Bill and other strategic matters.

Iona, who is also chair of the Cardiff Screen Festival, rejoins S4C on 1 September.
Huw Jones, S4C's Chief Executive, says: "We already know that Iona is a person of great ability with a wide understanding of all aspects of the world of television. We look forward very much to welcoming her back to S4C to the key role of leading the team - both internal and external - that provides the programme service. Exciting times lie ahead."

Clive Jones, Managing Director of Carlton Television, adds: "Iona will be a great loss to ITV but an enormous asset to S4C and Welsh broadcasting.

Her contribution to ITV, particularly through the passage of the Communications Bill, has been immense. Although Iona has been on the corporate side of the business for the last few years her roots are in programming and I'm confident she will provide the programme leadership that S4C expects and Wales deserves."

Elis Owen, HTV's Controller Wales and Director of Programmes, says: "Iona has been a huge help both to HTV Wales and myself over the past three years. Not only has she initiated and developed a coherent Corporate Affairs strategy for the new ITV1 Wales but she has also shown a deep understanding of programme making."

Source:	S4C Television
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