BBC Wales Controller Menna Richards to step down

[News_Editor]

BBC Wales Controller Menna Richards to step down

2010-11-10 18:25:19 GMT+7 (ICT)

LONDON (BNO NEWS) -- BBC Cymru Wales Director Menna Richards will step down from her post next year after more than ten years in the position, the BBC announced on Wednesday.

Richards began her career in broadcasting when she was a reporter and producer for HTV Wales, and eventually becoming Managing Director before the company was taken over by United News & Media.

She later took over as Director/Controller at BBC Cymru Wales in February 2000, where she is responsible for the organization's strategic direction and oversees all BBC Wales' services in English and Welsh on radio, TV and online including a staff of around 1,200 people.

The BBC Director-General, Mark Thompson, on Wednesday said Richards had led a 'creative transformation' at BBC Wales. During her time as director, BBC Wales produced successful series such as 'Doctor Who', 'Torchwood', 'Last Chance To See', 'BBC Cardiff Singer Of The World', and 'BBC Young Musician of the Year.'

"Menna has been an outstanding Director of BBC Wales, who has combined strong creative leadership with an excellence in management," Thompson said in a letter to staff. "I'd like to thank Menna personally for her superb professionalism, dedication and loyalty over the past decade."

During the transformation period overseen by Menna, the BBC will see the opening of a new drama production center in Cardiff Bay next summer, which will also be home to BBC One's weekly drama series, Casualty.

Russell T Davies, who oversaw the revival of 'Doctor Who' for BBC Wales in 2005, said in response to Wednesday's announcement: "When I came back home, to work in Wales, it was amazing to meet Menna and to find a creative leader who was truly fearless - and great fun, too!"

"But she's a crusader for talent and has opened up opportunities for so many people, in so many ways, leaving Welsh culture immeasurably better and richer and bolder," he added.

Richards said she will be 'very sad' to leave the BBC, without giving a specific reason for her departure. "We have achieved so much together and I will forever count myself truly privileged to have worked alongside so many talented and committed people," she told staff. "I never had any doubt that Wales had the talent to make a real difference both here in Wales and on the UK stage and it's your passion and determination that has taken us on this extraordinary journey together. I'm absolutely certain that that same passion and determination will continue to drive BBC Wales forward."

The BBC said Richards will leave the network in the spring of 2011.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2010-11-10

[mca]

No offence whatsoever intended to the good intentions and efforts of the news editor but does he/she/it use a game of " rock, paper, scissors " to decide which news items to publish?

" Hmm, let's see. Scissors beats paper. So we're going with " Mr Nibbles Is Officially Britain's Fattest Rabbit " and dropping " 500 Kilometre-Wide Asteroid On A Collision Course With Earth - All Life Will Cease To Exist In 2 Days "