Menu
16/05/2012
Former Trust Chairman Says BBC Must Look Beyond Its Own For New DG
Former chairman of the BBC Trust, Sir Michael Lyons, has said the search for the corporation's next director general must look beyond the small group of internal candidates who have applied.
Blamed a failure to institute succession planning Lyons has said he does not believe there is a single standout successor to Mark Thompson within the BBC.
"There isn't one. I don't believe Mark has a preferred candidate either. It is important that there is as wide a search as possible... basically to look elsewhere in the public sector," he said, in an interview for an article in the May edition of Television magazine, the journal of the Royal Television Society.
"You do need someone with management skills ... but someone who is in the public sector," added Lyons, who worked with Thompson for four years when he was trust chairman, until Lord Patten replaced him in May 2011.
"As long as four years ago I was pushing, because we did not feel the BBC Trust had inherited a succession plan. We were pressing him [Thompson] to get one and invest, with the aim of bringing on a handful of candidates – George Entwistle, Tim Davie, Helen Boaden – with the chance to play a bigger role."
Entwistle, Davie, Boaden and Caroline Thomson, BBC chief operating officer, are all understood to have applied for the director general job.
(H/GK)
Blamed a failure to institute succession planning Lyons has said he does not believe there is a single standout successor to Mark Thompson within the BBC.
"There isn't one. I don't believe Mark has a preferred candidate either. It is important that there is as wide a search as possible... basically to look elsewhere in the public sector," he said, in an interview for an article in the May edition of Television magazine, the journal of the Royal Television Society.
"You do need someone with management skills ... but someone who is in the public sector," added Lyons, who worked with Thompson for four years when he was trust chairman, until Lord Patten replaced him in May 2011.
"As long as four years ago I was pushing, because we did not feel the BBC Trust had inherited a succession plan. We were pressing him [Thompson] to get one and invest, with the aim of bringing on a handful of candidates – George Entwistle, Tim Davie, Helen Boaden – with the chance to play a bigger role."
Entwistle, Davie, Boaden and Caroline Thomson, BBC chief operating officer, are all understood to have applied for the director general job.
(H/GK)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 February 2011
BBC Radio To 'Extend Its Distinctive Appeal'
A BBC Trust review has concluded that BBC Radio 3, Radio 4 and Radio 7 are much loved and highly valued by the millions of licence fee payers that listen every week.
BBC Radio To 'Extend Its Distinctive Appeal'
A BBC Trust review has concluded that BBC Radio 3, Radio 4 and Radio 7 are much loved and highly valued by the millions of licence fee payers that listen every week.
27 May 2011
Trust Launches Review Of BBC News Channel And BBC Parliament
The BBC Trust has launched its service review of BBC Parliament and BBC News Channel, as part of its rolling programme of service reviews. The review will look at the current performance of BBC Parliament and the News Channel - including the stations' quality, distinctiveness and value for money - and the BBC's future plans for the services.
Trust Launches Review Of BBC News Channel And BBC Parliament
The BBC Trust has launched its service review of BBC Parliament and BBC News Channel, as part of its rolling programme of service reviews. The review will look at the current performance of BBC Parliament and the News Channel - including the stations' quality, distinctiveness and value for money - and the BBC's future plans for the services.
27 November 2003
Bectu issues slams sale of BBC Technology
The BBC are to sell their wholly-owned commercial subsidiary BBC Technology, subject to final approval by DCMS Secretary of State Tessa Jowell.
Bectu issues slams sale of BBC Technology
The BBC are to sell their wholly-owned commercial subsidiary BBC Technology, subject to final approval by DCMS Secretary of State Tessa Jowell.
16 June 2011
Panorama's Primark 'In Breach, Says BBC Trust'
The BBC Trust's Editorial Standards Committee (ESC) has found that a Panorama programme 'Primark: On the Rack', broadcast in June 2008, breached the BBC Editorial Guidelines on accuracy and fairness.
Panorama's Primark 'In Breach, Says BBC Trust'
The BBC Trust's Editorial Standards Committee (ESC) has found that a Panorama programme 'Primark: On the Rack', broadcast in June 2008, breached the BBC Editorial Guidelines on accuracy and fairness.
29 April 2004
More peak time arts, current affairs and documentaries, say BBC
The BBC has promised to air more arts, current affairs and documentaries during peak time viewing. Publishing the Corporation's 'Statements of Programme Policy for 2004/2005' the BBC has underscored a commitment to reduce 'make-over' drama programmes.
More peak time arts, current affairs and documentaries, say BBC
The BBC has promised to air more arts, current affairs and documentaries during peak time viewing. Publishing the Corporation's 'Statements of Programme Policy for 2004/2005' the BBC has underscored a commitment to reduce 'make-over' drama programmes.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
