BBC appoints Richard Thomas to Board
BBC Cymru Wales has appointed Cardiff & Co Managing Director Richard Thomas as Head of Marketing, Communications and Audiences and a member of BBC Wales’ Executive Board.
When he takes up the role in the new year, Mr Thomas will take overall responsibility for the strategic direction of a newly-merged department responsible for all of BBC Wales’ external facing activity.
BBC Cymru Wales Director Rhodri Talfan Davies said: “Richard Thomas is a dynamic leader with a proven track record. He joins at a challenging time, but I know he has the expertise, the vision and the energy to help shape BBC Wales’ future success.”
Adrian Clark, Chairman of Cardiff & Co, said: “The BBC has made a shrewd move in attracting Richard Thomas to join them. It is clearly a very positive move for Richard and I think it is also very good news for the BBC. We will be very sorry to lose Richard.
“The Board and I wish Richard every success. We look forward to working with him over the coming months, while he serves out his notice, which will help ensure continuity in the business and assist us in our work to identify a successor.
“He has made a huge impact on this organisation in a little over three years. Under his leadership the Cardiff & Co team have spread the Cardiff city region message widely. The Cardiff Ambassadors programme has developed a series of events and networks, with a particular focus on London, which is the key to future investment in the city.
“The Cardiff Tourism Network, which brings together the city region’s hotels, attractions and tourist services, has grown rapidly, passing 200 members in the last few weeks. I think we can be especially proud of the Cardiff Commitment, which has enabled the city to secure and safeguard major events, and of the latest campaign, @CreativeCardiff, which has made a successful start as a showcase for promoting the city region’s creative industries.
“Cardiff & Co has led the way in its website development by bringing all its portals together under the single banner of whycardiff.com offering a one-stop shop for anyone looking for information about Cardiff – whether for investment, leisure and business tourism, shopping, universities or events.
“In a difficult economic climate Richard and the Cardiff & Co team have demonstrated that they can deliver good value for money from the combined public and private sector funding. By attracting private sector support that very nearly matches pound for pound what the public sector provides, Cardiff & Co has demonstrated its direct relevance across the city region.
“Perhaps the most significant achievement has been to build the company’s credibility so that Cardiff Council could feel confident in confirming a long term financial commitment which they did earlier this year.” Before becoming Managing Director at Cardiff & Co, Richard Thomas was Director of Marketing and Communications at South West of England Regional Development Agency and prior to that he was Director of Communications at former education body ELWa.
Richard Thomas said: “I am excited by the challenge this new role brings and believe that my appointment is a positive reflection on Cardiff & Co.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at Cardiff & Co and believe I will be leaving the company in good health. I’ve enjoyed working with a committed and creative team of staff who have constantly delivered a huge amount, giving excellent value for money to its public and private investors.
“I have also been fortunate enough to work with an enthusiastic and expert Board of Directors. Through thick and thin their passion for the Cardiff city-region and their support for our efforts to market it to the world have been greatly appreciated.
“If I were to have a regret it would be that I will not have the opportunity to work with the new chairman, Adrian Clark. He has impressed me tremendously as I have got to know him and I am sure he will do a fantastic job as the Chairman of Cardiff & Co over the next few years. I know members of the Cardiff & Co executive have already enjoyed their interaction with Adrian and I am sure they will do everything they can to support him in the future.“
Keep up-to-date with Cardiff news by following @CardiffandCo on Twitter.
04/11/2011
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