NEP Bow Tie completes broadcast transformation for Welsh Parliament

NEP Bow Tie—the division of NEP Group specialising in media services and broadcast solutions for parliamentary, governmental and public sector institutions—has completed a broadcast transformation project for the Senedd’s Siambr, the primary meeting chamber of the Welsh Parliament.

Further objectives in the Senedd contract – called the Senedd Aims – included improving the encoding of live streams to make it easier to distribute all live streams and recorded footage across a range of platforms, and streamlining operational processes to reduce the number of tasks required to run meetings.

The contract also aimed to advance development of hybrid and virtual business systems to ensure meetings can be delivered in the most resilient manner possible.

“Following the award of the contract in late 2022, NEP Bow Tie began consulting with the Senedd’s AV Services team. Early discussions enabled both parties to quickly agree on the core infrastructure principles to be deployed across the Senedd estate, supporting the transition of the broadcast systems in line with the Senedd’s defined aims,” said Duncan Davidson Smith, managing director of NEP Bow Tie.

Since that time, NEP Bow Tie has worked closely with the Senedd to fully overhaul and replace many of the estate’s core broadcast and AV systems.

The transformation included the establishment of a new broadcast MCR, software driven multiviewers for advanced system monitoring, stream management and health diagnostics, installing PTZ cameras to all broadcast spaces, and the installation of new broadcast encoders and a software gateway providing protection and monitoring for broadcast content between facilities.

During 2025 and 2026, NEP Bow Tie worked in partnership with the Senedd’s AV Services team, FM, and third-party contractors to re-design and implement the renewal and expansion of the Senedd Siambr. The space has been increased to accommodate 96 members starting in 2026.

“It has been a pleasure to work alongside the whole Senedd team and the wider contractor community in the delivery of this incredible new facility for the people of Wales. I hope that the flexibility of this new broadcast system will enable the Senedd to continue driving their technical ambitions for the coverage of Welsh politics for many years to come,” said Gareth Phillips, head of engineering and technology, NEP Bow Tie.

“This return to the Siambr marks an important milestone for our Senedd. Our debating chamber has been transformed to meet the needs of a larger parliament and a new era of Welsh democracy as we look ahead to the election on 7 May. This is a building shaped around openness, sustainability and the people we serve, and the changes reflect the next chapter in our democratic journey,” said Llywydd of the Senedd, Rt Hon Elin Jones MS.