The U.K. Royal Television Society has appointed Sophie Jones as its next CEO, with a handover from Theresa Wise later this year and a focus on education and awards.
The U.K.’s Royal Television Society (RTS) has appointed Sophie Jones as its new chief executive, a leadership change that signals a shift toward education and talent development as media continues to evolve.
RTS confirmed the decision on Monday.. Jones is currently the British Phonographic Industry’s (BPI) chief strategy officer, a role she has held since 2020 after joining the music trade body that also runs major industry events including the BRIT Awards and the Mercury Prize.. Earlier, she served as head of corporate relations at Channel 4, giving her experience across major parts of the U.K.. broadcast ecosystem.
The appointment places Jones on track to take over from the RTS’s outgoing CEO, Theresa Wise, later this year.. During the transition, she is expected to work closely with the Society’s board of trustees, while also stepping into responsibilities that go beyond day-to-day management.. That includes oversight of RTS educational activity, awards programming, conventions, national and regional centre work, and the membership community.
RTS did not frame the move as a narrow corporate staffing update.. Instead, the messaging around the leadership handover points to a broader agenda: adapting how the Society supports the industry as audiences, formats, and platforms keep changing.. In that context, Jones’s background across public affairs, strategy, and broadcast-related relationships is being positioned as a practical fit.
Jones said the role is “a huge privilege.” She added that Wise is leaving an “impressive legacy,” which she plans to build on with the RTS team, the board, and the network of volunteers across the U.K.. Her remarks also made clear that she sees the next phase as something to shape rather than simply inherit.
The RTS board chair Jane Turton also highlighted the value of Jones’s experience.. Turton described Jones’s exposure to production and broadcasting as “a valuable asset” as the Society grows and responds to the demands of a “very fast-changing media world.” She further stressed Jones’s enthusiasm for the educational elements of the RTS, including opportunities designed to bring in and develop career pathways for a broader range of talent.
Beyond the titles and appointments, the real test for a media institution like the RTS is whether its programs stay relevant to what working professionals actually need—whether that’s skills, mentorship, networking, or visible routes into the industry.. Jones’s history straddling music-industry strategy and a major broadcaster’s corporate relations suggests she may approach those questions with a cross-sector lens.
There’s also a human side to what a CEO transition can change.. For members, volunteers, and participants in awards and education programs, continuity matters, but so does renewed energy.. The RTS is describing a leadership handover that aims to keep the Society “vibrant and inclusive,” which, if translated into action, could shape how early-career talent experiences its events and how regional centres connect with local creative communities.
Looking ahead, the appointment comes at a moment when media organizations face constant pressure to define their role—whether they’re a platform for recognition, a training ground, or a convening space for the wider industry.. With Jones stepping into leadership later this year, Misryoum expects the RTS to lean further into its education mission while also refining how it supports both new voices and established professionals through awards, conventions, and membership-driven activities.