Menna Richards
{{Short description|British journalist}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
Menna Richards OBE was the Controller of BBC Cymru Wales from February 2000 to February 2011.
Biography
Born in Maesteg, Bridgend County Borough, Wales, Richards was educated at the town's Grammar School, and later at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. Well known for her contribution to broadcasting, her career began with BBC Wales as a broadcast journalist in 1976 and later as a reporter and producer for HTV Wales in the current affairs department in 1983, including the Welsh language current affairs series, Y Byd ar Bedwar. She rose to become managing director of HTV Wales in 1997, before the company was taken over by United News & Media.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/info/management/mennarichards.shtml |title=Menna Richards |publisher=BBC Wales |access-date=11 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050407204554/http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/info/management/mennarichards.shtml |archive-date=7 April 2005 }}
Richards rejoined BBC Wales as a Controller in February 2000 and retired in February 2011. It was revealed as part of the BBC's open policy in November 2009, that Richards salary per annum to August 2009 was £185,000, with total remuneration of £192,800.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/bbcstructure/journalism/menna_richards.shtml |title=BBC - About the BBC - Menna Richards |access-date=23 December 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100127093648/http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/bbcstructure/journalism/menna_richards.shtml |url-status=dead }} She was responsible for bringing series such as Doctor Who, Torchwood, Merlin, The Sarah Jane Adventures, Sherlock and Upstairs Downstairs to global TV screens.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
She was married to the TV presenter Patrick Hannan, who died in 2009, aged 68, following a short illness.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8301704.stm|title=Broadcaster Hannan dies aged 68|publisher=BBC Wales|date=11 October 2009|access-date=11 October 2009}}
Honours
Richards was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2010 New Year Honours for her services to broadcasting.{{London Gazette |issue=59282 |date=31 December 2009 |page=11 |supp=y }}
In the same year she was also appointed to the board of the Welsh National Opera.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}} In addition, she was awarded a BAFTA in 2015 for Outstanding Contribution to Television.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
References
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External links
- [https://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/bbcstructure/journalism/menna_richards.shtml Menna Richards at BBC Info]
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Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:Welsh-language television presenters
Category:Welsh-speaking journalists
Category:Welsh women journalists
Category:Welsh television presenters