In memoriam of Nick Powell
A tribute to Nick Powell, former Head of Politics ITV Wales, delivered at a memorial hosted by NUJ Cymru at the Senedd's Pierhead building on February 12th 2025
The first time I remember meeting Nick was in a bar, and the last time I saw him was in a bar.
Nick was shy, and could be awkward in conversation, but over a beer and wine would open up.
He could be very funny. Dry. Waspish. Wicked.
I honestly couldn’t count the hours we spent together in the pubs of Cardiff, Llandudno, Blackpool. Brighton, Bournemouth and Westminster, gossiping, laughing, and generally nerding out about all sorts of facts and trivia about politics in all its forms.
The first time I met him was in December 1998, after one of the famous House of Commons HTV Christmas parties, when we retired to the Strangers Bar. He and David WIlliams were going through the interview process to head up the new Political Unit that was being established in advance of the new Assembly. And they were both doing their very best to not let their rivalry show.
As the record shows, Nick was triumphant and went on to guide coverage of devolution and politics for more than two decades of the Senedd’s existence.
His approach was admirably straightforward, just as he’d done with Wales in Westminster and the Welsh Agenda during the 90s, he just wanted people at home to know what was going on in their Parliaments that was relevant to their lives.
He was fair, and he was thorough. Not flashy or excitable, he wasn’t trying to set an agenda let alone impose one. He just wanted to report politics as it happened.
Because he never tried to make the political unit about him, there were people around the Assembly who didn’t really know who he was. They saw him around, but had no idea of his quiet influence. Because that was his style.
It wasn’t about him.
He could be great company, and I have very fond memories of our six years working together. I learnt a lot from him - about television production, about journalism, and about politics, and about Welsh history. He was a genuine enthusiast for his subjects.
He had deep knowledge, and ever-lasting interest and curiosity.
I think the way he took up Stefan Terlezki’s life story was a case in point. His love for eastern europe and history, saw him champion this hang-em-and-flog-em Tory MP. He showed enormous patience and tenderness with Steffan, and along with Max Perkins made sure his remarkable story was told.
Nick was shrewd. A sharp and keen observer of people.
He saw through people very quickly. But while he had no illusions - he was not a cynic. He was ultimately very generous about people.
He believed in the political process, and was forgiving of the flaws of people in it, and valued their contribution.
He understood politics, and politicians. And believed in its potential for good.
I’ll miss not seeing him again.
The first time I remember meeting Nick was in a bar, and the last time I saw him was in a bar.
Nick was shy, and could be awkward in conversation, but over a beer and wine would open up.
He could be very funny. Dry. Waspish. Wicked.
I honestly couldn’t count the hours we spent together in the pubs of Cardiff, Llandudno, Blackpool. Brighton, Bournemouth and Westminster, gossiping, laughing, and generally nerding out about all sorts of facts and trivia about politics in all its forms.
The first time I met him was in December 1998, after one of the famous House of Commons HTV Christmas parties, when we retired to the Strangers Bar. He and David WIlliams were going through the interview process to head up the new Political Unit that was being established in advance of the new Assembly. And they were both doing their very best to not let their rivalry show.
As the record shows, Nick was triumphant and went on to guide coverage of devolution and politics for more than two decades of the Senedd’s existence.
His approach was admirably straightforward, just as he’d done with Wales in Westminster and the Welsh Agenda during the 90s, he just wanted people at home to know what was going on in their Parliaments that was relevant to their lives.
He was fair, and he was thorough. Not flashy or excitable, he wasn’t trying to set an agenda let alone impose one. He just wanted to report politics as it happened.
Because he never tried to make the political unit about him, there were people around the Assembly who didn’t really know who he was. They saw him around, but had no idea of his quiet influence. Because that was his style.
It wasn’t about him.
He could be great company, and I have very fond memories of our six years working together. I learnt a lot from him - about television production, about journalism, and about politics, and about Welsh history. He was a genuine enthusiast for his subjects.
He had deep knowledge, and ever-lasting interest and curiosity.
I think the way he took up Stefan Terlezki’s life story was a case in point. His love for eastern europe and history, saw him champion this hang-em-and-flog-em Tory MP. He showed enormous patience and tenderness with Steffan, and along with Max Perkins made sure his remarkable story was told.
Nick was shrewd. A sharp and keen observer of people.
He saw through people very quickly. But while he had no illusions - he was not a cynic. He was ultimately very generous about people.
He believed in the political process, and was forgiving of the flaws of people in it, and valued their contribution.
He understood politics, and politicians. And believed in its potential for good.
I’ll miss not seeing him again.
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