Bob Shennan Appointed BBC’s Group Managing Director

The BBC has named Bob Shennan, who is currently director of radio and music, as group managing director, to oversee strategy, policy, legal, commercial rights and business affairs.

Shennan will also lead in developing and delivering a new strategy for attracting and developing on-air and on-screen talent, as well as co-ordinating what the BBC does between its commercial and public service operations. He will take up his new post next month, and will sit on the executive committee.

The group managing director is a new role. The BBC will not be replacing the role of deputy director general when Anne Bulford leaves.

BBC Director-General Tony Hall said: “Bob’s a great leader. He enables people working for him to give their best – and he’s proved time and again in sport, in radio and in music how formidable and collaborative he is.

“I want the BBC to be the best led, best managed and most creative media company in the world. Bob Shennan’s appointment will help deliver just that.”

Shennan added: “I’m really going to miss radio and music, but I’m very excited about my new role. Working with colleagues from right across the BBC, I want to play my part in making sure we are the best run, best managed and most creative media organisation in the world.”