Glyn Mathias

Jonathan Glyn Mathias, (born 19 February 1945) is a British print and broadcasting journalist of over thirty years' standing. He was a lobby correspondent at Westminster for thirteen years, and is the former Political Editor of Independent Television News (1981–1986) and BBC Wales (1994–1999). He was the Electoral Commission's Commissioner for Wales (2001–2008), and as of 2013 is a member of OFCOM's Content Board and Chair of OFCOM's Advisory Committee for Wales.

Early life

Mathias was born on 19 February 1945, and is one of three children of the writer and poet Roland Mathias (1915–2007) and Mary Annie (Molly) Hawes. He moved around the country as he grew up, as his father (a teacher at the time) taught in places including Carlisle, London, and Pembroke.

Education

Mathias was educated at Llandovery College, an independent boarding school in the market town of Llandovery in Carmarthenshire, in south-west Wales, followed by Jesus College at the University of Oxford and the University of Southampton.

Career

Mathias started as a reporter on the South Wales Echo in 1967, before joining BBC Southampton in 1970. He joined Independent Television News, becoming ITN Political Correspondent in 1973 and ITN Home Affairs Correspondent in 1979. In 1981, Mathias became ITN Political Editor, replacing Julian Haviland, and became ITN's Controller of Public Affairs and Chief Political Correspondent in 1986.

From 1994 to 1999, Mathias was Political Editor of BBC Wales, and in 2001, he became an inaugural member of the Electoral Commission, serving as the Commissioner for Wales from 2001 to 2008.