Ashok Ahir was today (9 August) elected President of the National Eisteddfod Court and Chair of the Eisteddfod Management Board.
Ashok is the UK Government’s Director of Communications in Wales and has been a Member of the Eisteddfod Management Board since autumn 2016.
He was the Chair of the Local Committee for the National Eisteddfod in Cardiff in 2018, an event that has been praised for its inclusiveness and openness.
He brings a wealth of business and management experience to the role having previously co-founded the communications company, Mela, and as former head of BBC Wales' Political Unit.
He is a member of Sport Wales’ Management Board and the British Council Wales Committee.
Originally from Wolverhampton, Ashok grew up in a Punjabi-medium household, but has since learnt Welsh fluently, and reached the final of the Welsh Learner of the Year Award in 2012.
Ashok said following the election: "I am delighted to be elected to this key role that will allow me to continue to help the Eisteddfod evolve and develop.
“The Eisteddfod is very close to my heart and I love coming to the event annually with my family. It is a great place for those who have learned Welsh like me to practice and use their Welsh.
"I am also very keen to see the Eisteddfod attract new audiences from all communities in Wales and beyond - especially young people and people from different backgrounds - and to show that everyone is welcome on the Maes."
The President of the Court is responsible for chairing the Annual Meeting of the Eisteddfod and for ensuring that Eisteddfod members have a clear voice in the work and strategic direction of the festival.
The Eisteddfod Management Board oversees the work of the Eisteddfod Management Team and is responsible for setting and implementing its overall strategy for the future.
Ashok succeeds Eifion Lloyd Jones who has served as President of the Court and Chair of the Eisteddfod Management Board for the past three years.