BBC Technology Support Engineer Gareth Reid Named Royal Television Society Atos Young Technologist of the Year 2018

• Gareth Reid graduated from the BBC Broadcast Engineering scheme with BEng Hons after joining as an Engineering Apprentice in 2013.

• Following his graduation he joined BBC Wales as a Technology Support Engineer based in Cardiff, supporting TV and Radio facilities for multiple National Radio Stations and TV programmes in both English and Welsh language.

• He has also been involved in the training and development of the new systems being installed due to the relocation of BBC Wales in 2019.The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the winner of its annual RTS Young Technologist Award, sponsored by Atos, and presented in memory of A.M. Beresford-Cooke. Gareth Reid, Technology Support Engineer at BBC Wales, was selected to receive the award by a panel of industry expert judges, chaired by Digital Media Consultant Terry Marsh.

Gareth graduated from the BBC Broadcast Engineering scheme with BEng Hons after joining as an Engineering Apprentice in 2013. Following his graduation he joined BBC Wales as a Technology Support Engineer based in Cardiff, supporting TV and Radio facilities for multiple National Radio Stations and TV programmes in both English and Welsh language. He has also been involved in the training and development of the new systems being installed due to the relocation of BBC Wales in 2019.

Terry Marsh, Chair of the RTS Young Technologist Award jury, said “It was a very strong field this year, however Gareth’s application stood out immediately due to his carefully considered answers, personable approach and his clear natural leadership working alongside both trainees and established engineers. He is not only excelling in his career, but also volunteering at the BBC Academy to provide advice for future apprentices, naturally aligning himself with the essence of this award as we celebrate the outstanding technologists of the future.”

Gareth Reid added “I am delighted and privileged as a Broadcast Engineer to be recognised as the Young Technologist of the Year 2018. Working in this constantly changing industry, I strive to provide the highest level of support possible to both production and engineering teams across the BBC, while continually developing my skills in the latest standards and technologies available on the market.

Each day brings new and complex challenges which can require detailed fault finding and repairs at a moment’s notice. Working with colleagues, both experienced and newly qualified, allows us to share our knowledge to craft a solution that not only fixes the problem but ensures that our services and content stay on air for our viewers and listeners to enjoy.”

Kevin Murphy, BBC Wales Technology Support Manager said “I am delighted that Gareth is this year’s RTS Young Technologist of the Year. He has played a key role in supporting all Broadcast Technologies within BBC Wales. The ambition and drive which he has shown in particular with the IP proof of concept we setup, coupled with an eagerness to both mentor and disseminate his knowledge to his colleagues make him a valuable asset to us here in BBC Wales.”

The runner up and recipient of the Coffey Award for Excellence in Technology 2018 is Alex Snell from BCi Digital.

The Young Technologist Award was established by the RTS with funds received from the family of A.M. Beresford-Cooke – a distinguished engineer who contributed much to the development of British broadcasting technology through his work on towers and masts for VHF and UHF transmission. The aim of the award is to advance education in the science, practice, technology and art of television and its allied fields. The winner gets an all-expenses paid trip to IBC while the runner-up receives the Coffey Award and a technical book of choice.

Further information can be found at the RTS Website.

About The Royal Television Society
From glamorous award ceremonies to lively debates, the RTS embraces all aspects of television, and is open to anyone with an interest in the medium.

As an educational charity, we encourage and celebrate work in television and its related fields, from finding out how the nation’s favourite shows are made in our Anatomy of a Hit series, to celebrating burgeoning talent at our annual Student Awards.

The industry’s most talented individuals give us an insight into the work that goes into making cutting edge contemporary TV. From Government ministers and CEOs to workshops with great runners, our events look at every part of the business.

Our annual Television Journalism, Programme, Craft and Design and Student Awards, celebrate achievements across the broadcasting industry.

Education is key to what the RTS does. Each year, we offer Television Production and Technology bursaries to help those from less affluent backgrounds get a foothold in the industry and Masterclass sessions bring together students, academics and industry heads.

RTS Futures, which is aimed at those in their first two years of employment, organises an exciting roster of discussion, training and social occasions. Recent events have included workshops on learning to format shows and how to survive as a freelancer, and expert panels explaining how to be the best researcher and how to make it on-screen.

Each year global television leaders gather to discuss what the future holds for television at our London Conference or the RTS Cambridge Convention.

Alongside our engaged community of over 4600 full members, the Society is supported by Britain and the world's biggest broadcasters, producers and consultants, including Principal Patrons BBC, BskyB, Channel 4 and ITV.

Originally founded as the Television Society in 1927, the Society was granted its Royal title in 1966 and HRH The Prince of Wales became Patron of the RTS in 1997.

Today, 14 regional and national groups curate lively events and awards around the UK and Ireland, from Glasgow to Galway.

About Atos
Atos is a global leader in digital transformation with approximately 100,000 employees in 73 countries and annual revenue of around € 12 billion. European number one in Big Data, Cybersecurity, High Performance Computing and Digital Workplace, the Group provides Cloud services, Infrastructure & Data Management, Business & Platform solutions, as well as transactional services through Worldline, the European leader in the payment industry. With its cutting-edge technologies, digital expertise and industry knowledge, Atos supports the digital transformation of its clients across various business sectors: Defense, Financial Services, Health, Manufacturing, Media, Energy & Utilities, Public sector, Retail, Telecommunications and Transportation. The Group is the Worldwide Information Technology Partner for the Olympic & Paralympic Games and operates under the brands Atos, Atos Consulting, Atos Worldgrid, Bull, Canopy, Unify and Worldline. Atos SE (Societas Europaea) is listed on the CAC40 Paris stock index.