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Elfed Howells to chair DVB Promotion & Communications Module

08.01.2021

The working group responsible for ensuring the flow of information about DVB’s work and specifications has a new chair. Elfed Howells, who represents DVB Member Hisilicon Technologies (a subsidiary of Huawei), was elected as chair of the Promotion & Communications Module during December.

The next PCM meeting is on 9 February. It will mark a shift to a new approach for the group, with short biweekly calls and a more operational focus. Members who are interested in learning more are warmly encouraged to support the new chair by attending the online meetings and getting involved.

A fresh approach, with the long view

Elfed Howells has been involved in the DVB Project since 1998, chairing various groups and playing an active role at the DVB Steering Board. Over the years he has represented NEC Electronics, Dolby, and now HiSilicon/Huawei. As PCM chair, he brings more than 25 years of experience in championing industry engagement in the broadcast, streaming and immersive media industries.

He said: “I hope to build on the excellent work of the previous PCM chairs Stan Baaijens and Helmut Stein. I’m looking forward to promoting DVB’s new and vital work on next generation media delivery via hybrid, OTT, broadcast and mobile.”

As a senior advisor for Huawei, Elfed participates in the work of various standards bodies and industry forums, focusing on audio, video and media, working as part of the company’s Europe Standardization & Industry Development team.

Trained as a silicon designer, he is a graduate of the Manchester Metropolitan University, where he is now a part-time Reader (in Industrial Engagement) at SODA, the School of Digital Arts. He is also a board member of four companies including tech start-ups, established international businesses and a social enterprise, as well as the CEO of his own consultancy.

The DVB Project would like to take this opportunity to thank the outgoing chair Stan Baaijens for his excellent stewardship of the PCM. Stan stepped down during 2020 for health reasons and to spend more time with his family. He intends to remain active in the industry and will keep in close contact with the DVB community.