Aled Glynne Davies, the Editor of the Welsh language service BBC Radio Cymru, has announced that he is to step down later this year after more than a decade in the role.
He took over the reins at Radio Cymru in 1995 and relaunched the station soon afterwards, introducing major changes aimed at attracting a broader audience.
Radio Cymru’s audience has grown during Aled Glynne’s tenure, fuelled by a significant increase in the number of younger listeners.
The introduction of a more informal presentation style ? personified by former English language commercial radio presenter Eifion ‘Jonsi’ Jones ? prompted some controversy.
But far from being driven away, Radio Cymru’s traditional listeners became even more loyal to the station and new listeners tuned into the station for the first time.
Further changes ? including the introduction of the youth-oriented evening service C2 and longer hours of broadcasting – saw listening figures rise to all-time record levels.
A third of all fluent Welsh speakers now listen to the station every week.
Aled Glynne said: “As the national radio station in the Welsh language, Radio Cymru has to provide a full service to all kinds of Welsh speakers.
“There must be programmes across all genres, for all age groups, which appeal to people in all parts of Wales.
“It was a complicated task but the challenge has been very fulfilling.”
Menna Richards, Controller, BBC Wales, said: “I’d like to thank Aled very much indeed for his leadership and hard work.
“With his enthusiasm and energy, the service has gone from strength to strength.
“Under his leadership Radio Cymru has addressed the key challenges facing all radio stations; to attract new listeners and to increase listening amongst the core audience.
“With his knowledge and understanding of contemporary Wales, Aled has succeeded in doing that and Radio Cymru now appeals to a wider range of Welsh speakers across Wales and beyond.”