BBC’s Tony Hall Reveals Leadership Shakeup

LONDON: BBC Director-General Tony Hall has unveiled a restructured senior management team, which sees Anne Bulford become deputy director-general.

With this promotion, Bulford, currently the BBC’s head of finance, takes on additional responsibilities related to the BBC’s marketing and audiences teams and creates a new centralized commercial and rights group.

The BBC will also have a new director of nations and regions. The directors in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the regional hubs in the North, Midlands and South West will report to this role.

Charlotte Moore has been named director of content, in addition to remaining controller of BBC One. She will be responsible for all the BBC’s TV channels and iPlayer. She will also take on oversight of BBC Sport.

James Purnell will become director of strategy and education. James Harding will continue as director of news and current affairs. Tim Davie’s role as director of worldwide and Mark Linsey’s role as director of studios also remain unchanged.

The BBC confirmed that the executive position representing BBC North will close. Alice Webb, the director of BBC Children’s, will lead the region on a day-to-day basis. Overall, the executive team will be reduced from 16 members to 11.

Hall commented: “I am proud of what we have achieved over the last few years. Together we stabilized the BBC after a difficult period in its history. We went on to create a compelling case for a new decade of the BBC and secured an 11-year charter as a result.

“Now, as we move toward this new Charter period, I want us to turn our energy to focus on the future of public service broadcasting and what it means for our audiences. We must continue to harness the creative power of the U.K. We must continue to be a creative beacon to the world and we will do this best by renewing the way we engage with our audiences as we enter our centenary year.

“The leadership changes I am making today can help ensure that the BBC is best equipped to do this. We must never stand still. We must always be looking to innovate and change. The new executive will lead this process of creative renewal to ensure the BBC remains the most creative force in the world.

“On a practical level, these changes are also about creating a simpler BBC with fewer layers and clear lines of accountability. Much has already been achieved, but this process must now be accelerated.

“The BBC also needs to reinvigorate its offer to the public on education—something I am passionate about. That’s why its importance is now recognized at the very top of the BBC.

“The U.K. is changing and changing fast. The BBC needs to recognize and address that. That’s why the work of improving our news and programming offer to the nations and regions is so important. It will be a challenge in an environment where resources are tight, but it is a priority and the steps taken today recognize that.”