Ian Jones (born 14 January 1959) is a Welsh television executive who served as the chief executive of

S4C S4C (, ''Sianel Pedwar Cymru'', meaning ''Channel Four Wales'') is a Welsh language free-to-air public broadcast television channel. Launched on 1 November 1982, it was the first television channel to be aimed specifically at a Welsh-speakin ...

from 2011 to 2017.

Personal life and education

Jones was born in Morriston, Swansea in 1959 to Margaret Jones and Lyle Jones. Educated at

Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera Ysgol Gymraeg Ystalyfera Bro Dur is a Welsh-medium comprehensive school in Neath Port Talbot, Wales. The school provides education to three to eighteen-year-old pupils in Neath Port Talbot and south Powys from three campuses in Ystalyfera an ...

, he studied economics at

Aberystwyth University Aberystwyth University () is a Public university, public Research university, research university in Aberystwyth, Wales. Aberystwyth was a founding member institution of the former federal University of Wales. The university has over 8,000 stude ...

Career

Jones was a commissioning executive and was part of the launch team at S4C in 1982, remaining at the channel until 1985 when he joined ITV as a unit manager in its entertainment division. From 1987 to 1989 Jones was an independent television producer, before returning to S4C as director of its business and international arm. Jones left S4C again in 1996 to become director of STV's international division, and in 2000 was briefly STV's chief operating officer. Jones left STV later in 2000 to become deputy managing director of

Granada Granada ( ; ) is the capital city of the province of Granada, in the autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain. Granada is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada (Spain), Sierra Nevada mountains, at the confluence ...

's international division until 2004. From 2004 to 2007 Jones was president of National Geographic TV International, and subsequently held roles at Target Entertainment Group and

A&E Networks A&E Television Networks, LLC, doing business as A+E Global Media (formerly A+E Networks) is an American multinational broadcasting company owned and operated as a 50–50 joint venture between Hearst Communications and The Walt Disney Company th ...

before being appointed S4C's chief executive in October 2011. Ian Jones left S4C in October 2017 and was succeeded by

Owen Evans Owen Evans may refer to: * Owen Evans (politician) (1876–1945), Liberal Party politician from Wales * Jem Evans (Owen James Evans, 1867–1942), Welsh rugby union half-back * Owen Evans (rugby union) (born 1989), Welsh rugby union prop forward * ...

Public appointments and awards

Victim Support Victim Support is an independent charity in England and Wales that provides specialist practical and emotional support to victims and witnesses of crime. Activities ;Support for victims of crime: Trained volunteers and employees offer free, inde ...

, trustee, Wales * Creative Diversity Network, director * Wales Tourism Advisory Board, member *

BAFTA Cymru BAFTA Cymru (or BAFTA in Wales) is the Welsh branch of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) and was founded in 1987.Aberystwyth University Aberystwyth University () is a Public university, public Research university, research university in Aberystwyth, Wales. Aberystwyth was a founding member institution of the former federal University of Wales. The university has over 8,000 stude ...

, honorary fellow

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jones, Ian Welsh chief executives People educated at Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera Alumni of Aberystwyth University 1959 births Living people