BBC Senior Management Waive Bonuses

LONDON, June 26: The members of the BBC Direction Group, consisting of the pubcaster’s most senior executives, have waived their annual bonuses for the 2006/2007 period, totaling about £350,000 ($700,000).

Director-General Mark Thompson said in a statement: "Overall this has been a strong year for the BBC both creatively and managerially. All of my colleagues on the BBC Direction Group met the majority of their objectives and were eligible for bonuses as part of their contracts of employment. However, they and I have collectively decided to waive this contractual right on this occasion. I believe that this year is exceptional. Bonuses and the principle that a proportion of total remuneration should be dependent on performance are standard practice for senior managers throughout the public as well as the private sector. I have told my fellow directors that I would expect them to resume their participation in the BBC executive bonus plan, as long as performance objectives are met, in the usual way in future years."

The directors waived their bonuses after failing to meet diversity targets. The BBC had pledged that black and other minority staff members would make up 12.5 percent of its workforce by year-end; and 7 percent of its senior management.