Contract wrangle holds up appointment of Ian Jones at S4C

Ian Jones has reportedly been chosen as the new chief executive of Welsh-language broadcaster S4C, but cannot be officially installedin the position because of a contract wrangle with current employer A+E Networks.

A+E declined to comment, but it is known that Jones is still under the terms of a long term deal with A+E Networks. He joined the company as managing director, content distribution and commercial development last December, relocating to New York in the process.

S4C confirmed it had chosen its new chief executive and that a contract dispute is preventing it making an announcement. It issued a statement saying: “The S4C Authority came to a decision last Friday (16 September) regarding a new chief executive but because of contractual matters in relation to the individual’s present employer it is not possible to make a further statement at this stage.”

Prior to A+E Jones was managing director at Target Entertainment and president of National Geographic Television International.

S4C is looking for a chief executive after the departure of Iona Jones in mid-2010. Arwel Ellis Owen has been acting chief executive since that point.