Delyth started her career as a journalist at HTV Wales, working on the flagship current affairs programme ‘Y Byd ar Bedwar’ for S4C. She subsequently worked as a reporter on BBC Radio Four’s ‘World at One’ and ‘PM’ programmes.
She joined the Labour Party in 1984, later serving as an adviser to Labour leader John Smith from 1992 to 1994.
Labour selected her to stand in the 1999 National Assembly for Wales election as the second top-up candidate in the party list for the Mid and West Wales region, behind Welsh Labour leader Alun Michael. After Michael’s resignation from the assembly in 2000, Evans automatically succeeded him as AM for Mid and West Wales.
She became deputy minister for Culture, Environment and Rural Affairs before retiring at the 2003 assembly election to spend more time with her family.
On the day of her announcement, two Welsh language campaigners from the Welsh Language Society were arrested for vandalising Evans’ constituency office in Llanelli and spraying it with black paint.
In 2013, she was selected as the Labour Party’s candidate for the House of Commons constituency of Camarthen West and South Pembrokeshire at the 2015 general election, where she lost to Simon Hart of the Conservative Party.
After stepping down from politics Delyth worked in the charity sector as Chief Executive of Smart Works, a women’s employment charity. Delyth is currently a Board member at Sport Wales, a Governor at Coleg Gwent, and a trustee of the Alacrity Foundation and the Urdd.
Delyth will now appear on 23 April before MPs on the Welsh Affairs Select Committee for pre-appointment scrutiny.
This process for appointing the Chair of S4C is set out in the Broadcasting Act 1990.
Ministers were assisted in their decision-making by an Advisory Assessment Panel which included a departmental official and a senior independent panel member approved by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The Welsh Government and UK Government Wales office were also represented on the Panel.
UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “Delyth began her career as a broadcast journalist, and her vision for S4C’s future reflects a deep understanding of the Welsh cultural and media landscape, as well as an enduring commitment to public service.
“I’m pleased to recommend her for the role of Chair, in which she will no doubt be a proud champion of Welsh-language broadcasting. This marks an exciting chapter for S4C as we develop plans to boost the job opportunities and growth potential of the creative industries in Wales and the rest of the UK.”
Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said: “Delyth has a great track record in broadcasting and wealth of experience in public service to bring to the role of S4C Chair.
“S4C plays a pivotal role in Wales, sustaining and promoting the Welsh language and strengthening our unique identity and culture. The channel is a cornerstone of the strong creative sector in Wales which is vital for economic growth.”
The Chair of S4C receives a salary of £40,000 per year for an average of two work days per week.
The former Welsh Conservative Senedd Leader Andrew RT Davies has raised concerns over the proposed appointment of ex-Labour Senedd Member Delyth Evans as the next Chair of S4C.
The decision follows the BBC’s appointment of the former Chief Executive of Plaid Cymru as its Director of Programming for BBC Wales.
Mr Davies said: “Appointing a former Labour politician to chair S4C will rightly raise eyebrows, especially following BBC Wales’ decision to appoint the former chief executive of Plaid Cymru as its Director of Programming.
“The public expects impartiality from Welsh media, not political recycling.
“If the Welsh media wants to be trusted, these cosy Cardiff Bay appointments need to stop.”.
Delyth is married to Ed Richards, the former chief executive of Ofcom. They have two children and live in Penarth.
Born in Cardiff, Delyth has spoken about “growing up in Carmarthenshire” and describes herself as a “very proud Welsh woman”. In a speech in 2017 she said: “I don’t really think of myself as being British other than when I need my passport.
“The idea of Britishness doesn’t really mean a great deal to me.
“On the other hand, I have always believed that Wales is better off being part of the UK”
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