John Walter Jones graduated in Economics from the University of Wales, Cardiff, in 1971. A civil servant at the Welsh Office in Cardiff from 1971 to 1988, he worked in Transport and Highways, Housing, Health and Education. During his time in the Welsh office, he was Private Secretary to three ministers, and in 1988 became the Chief Executive of the Welsh Language Board before retiring in 2004.
During the period 1981 to 1988 in the Education Division of the Welsh Office, one of Mr Jones’ main areas of responsibilities was broadcasting, and he was therefore close to and involved with S4C virtually from the outset. When the Welsh Language Board was established, S4C’s contribution to the board’s mission and message was central. Broadcasting is one of the most dynamic influences on language planning, and S4C’s co-operation was never questioned.
Today, S4C operates in a totally different climate to that which prevailed at the time of its establishment. The Welsh language exists in a totally different climate to that of 20 years ago. The contribution to their mutual existence is as essential today as it has been over the years.
Establishing the Welsh Language Board in 1988 required Mr Jones to constantly bridge the political and administrative divide. Between 1988 and 1993, when the Welsh Language Act received Royal Assent, it was increasingly necessary for him to work closely with politicians and administrators, having due regard to the political climate of the day, divergent political views, and the concerns and expectations of many different elements within Welsh society. It was a period when the Welsh language had to be repositioned, and the 2001 Census figures reflect the success of the board’s pragmatic approach to this task.
With the establishment of the National Assembly, central to John’s role as Chief Executive was the need to ensure the board adapted to the needs of post-devolution Wales; that Assembly members and MPs were aware of the board’s key objectives; that the relationship between the board, the Minister and advisers was professional and constructive, always mindful that the board was working in a politically sensitive area. It was his responsibility as Chief Executive to advise the board on all issues which could directly or indirectly have a bearing on its core responsibility of promoting the language.
Mr Jones was instrumental in setting up the European Network of Official Language Boards in 2001 and chaired all meetings up to March 2004. He has presented papers on the Welsh Language Board’s work in conferences from Latvia to Arizona.
Since April 2006, he has been Chairman of the S4C Authority. He was a member of BBC Wales Appeals Advisory Committee from 2004 to 2006 and was Language Planning Consultant to Bord na Gaidhlig (Gaelic Language Board) from 2004 to 2007. He is a member of the Cardiff and District 2008 National Eisteddfod of Wales Executive Committee, the Finance and Staffing Committee of Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin (Welsh medium pre-school playgroups) and the Welsh Scouts Council PR and Marketing Committee. He is also a freelance broadcaster.
In 2004, John Walter Jones was awarded the OBE and was made an honorary member of the Gorsedd of Bards (White Robe), and in 2006 was made a fellow of Bangor University – all in recognition of service to the Welsh language.