S4C names indie boss as new content chief

Welsh pubcaster S4C has hired a new content chief in the shape of Amanda Rees, the founder of factual indie TiFiNi.

She has become director of content, replacing Dafydd Rhys, who has been director of content and broadcast for five years.

Rees will take up her post later this year, with S4C CEO Ian Jones pointing to her international market experience as a key factor in the appointment.

“Amanda Rees is a highly experienced producer, and we have seen much of her work on S4C over the years,” he said. “Her work with companies outside the UK is valuable and her understanding of this work is very important as S4C aims to build on opportunities to work with partners outside Wales, in the UK and beyond.”

Rees created Cardiff-based TiFiNi in 2012, soon after creating S4C, ITV and Foxtel coproduction Lost Treasure of the Royal Charter. The company also produced docs for Channel 4, BBC One, France Télévisions, A&E and Discovery.

The TiFiNi creative director began her career with Opus working on international coproduction The Papacy and went on to work for Green Bay Media, which created factual content for the likes of National Geographic Channel.

Rhys declared his decision to step down as S4C content chief in March.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank Dafydd Rhys again for his work over the past five years,” said Jones. “During his time at the helm he has made a big impact on S4C’s content and plans. I wish him well for the future.”