The Journalists’ Charity’s Wales Committee are shocked and saddened to hear of the death of our friend and colleague Nick Powell.
Nick, a distinguished political journalist and editor with extensive decades-long experience in Welsh broadcasting and latterly international affairs, is reported to have died of natural causes while attending a media conference in Azerbaijan for online political journal EU Reporter.
The EU Reporter team are supporting Nick’s wife, Lesley, and working with the UK Foreign and Development office in arrangements to bring Nick back home.
A former head of politics at ITV Wales, Nick had been an active member of the JC’s Wales Committee for the past 10 years, helping to organise the annual Wales Media Awards. He was an authoritative and perceptive voice on the awards’ judging panels.
Many of the Wales Committee had been colleagues of Nick’s either at the BBC or ITV as well as at the charity, and appreciated his expertise, intelligence and quick wit. He will be greatly missed.
On behalf of all on the Journalists’ Charity Wales committee, we’d like to express our deepest condolences to Nick’s wife and family and everyone who knew and worked with him.
Committee member and former senior TV executive Elis Owen, who worked closely with Nick for many years, said:
“Nick joined ITV Wales, then known as HTV Wales, more than thirty years ago. He immediately made an impact on the News and political team with his journalistic skills and encyclopaedic knowledge of the UK and Welsh political scene.
“One of his greatest achievements was spearheading ITV Wales’ award-winning live coverage of the historic referendum results. He then headed an expanded ITV Wales political team covering the new Welsh Senedd while still keeping links with Welsh MPs in Westminster.
‘In his role he made an enormous contribution to the formative years of the new Welsh political landscape and was on good terms with all parts of the political spectrum.
‘After leaving ITV Wales he became a diligent and respected figurehead for the National Union of Journalists in Wales as well as working as the Political Editor of EU Reporter where he reported on and analysed events throughout Europe and beyond. He also found time to support the Journalists’ Charity through his invaluable involvement in the Wales Media Awards.
“In all of his achievements he was a man of great integrity and will be hugely missed.”