BBC Cymru Wales Director Menna Richards is to step down from her post in the New Year after more than ten years at the helm.
The BBC Director General, Mark Thompson, said Ms Richards had “led a creative transformation at BBC Wales”.
Under Menna’s leadership, Wales has been home to some of the BBC’s great successes of recent years, such as Doctor Who, Sherlock, Torchwood, Merlin, Last Chance to See and Tribe.
Writing to staff, Mr Thompson said: “Menna has been an outstanding Director of BBC Wales, who has combined strong creative leadership with an excellence in management.
“I’d like to thank Menna personally for her superb professionalism, dedication and loyalty over the past decade.”
The creative transformation overseen by Menna will see the opening of a new drama production centre 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 today: “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.”
Menna told BBC Wales staff: “Obviously I will be very sad to leave this brilliant organisation. We have achieved so much together and I will forever count myself truly privileged to have worked alongside so many talented and committed people.
“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.”
Menna’s many achievements at BBC Wales include the opening of BBC Hoddinott Hall in 2009 – the new home for the BBC National Orchestra of Wales at the Wales Millennium Centre – as well as a succession of landmark series that explored Welsh life and history, including Coal House and, most recently, Snowdonia 1890.
“Serving the nation has always been at the heart of BBC Wales’ vision,” Menna said. “We make a huge contribution to the life of Wales in all its aspects: social, cultural and political. As the national broadcaster, our role in helping define a nation has never been so important or so precious.”
Before joining BBC Wales as Controller in 2000, Menna was Managing Director of HTV Wales. Earlier this autumn, Menna was appointed to the Board of Welsh National Opera. She was awarded an OBE for services to broadcasting in the 2010 New Year Honours.
Menna will leave the BBC in the spring.
