David Clementi Appointed as Next BBC Chairman

LONDON: The former Bank of England deputy governor David Clementi has been confirmed as the next BBC chairman.

Clementi has been selected following an open recruitment process under the commissioner for public appointments’ code of practice. The selection panel was chaired by a public appointments assessor and included two independent panel members and one government representative. Clementi will appear before the Culture, Media and Sport select committee for pre-appointment scrutiny on January 17.

Clementi has been chairman of a number of organizations in both the commercial and not-for-profit sector. From 2002 to 2008, he was chairman of Prudential. Before joining Prudential, David was deputy governor of the Bank of England for five years, between 1997 and 2002.

As part of the new BBC Charter, the BBC Trust is to be replaced by the new BBC Board. “The new BBC Charter will secure the future of the BBC, strengthen it and give it an unprecedented degree of independence,” said Culture Secretary Karen Bradley. “It will make it more transparent, accountable and representative. I am confident that Sir David will provide the strong leadership necessary for the BBC to remain the world’s best broadcaster.”

Bradley continued, “Sir David will bring a wealth of experience to the role and was the strongest candidate in an extremely competitive and high-caliber field. He has extensive experience as a chairman in both the commercial and not-for-profit sector, and has a strong regulatory and business background. I am confident that under his direction, the nation’s broadcaster will continue to go from strength to strength.”

Clementi commented, “The BBC is a world class broadcaster and one of the U.K.’s most beloved and cherished institutions. It would be a great honor to join the BBC at an important time in the organization’s history.”