Tom Fussell Named CEO of BBC Studios

The BBC has officially appointed Tom Fussell as CEO of BBC Studios, after having held the post on an interim basis since September 2020.

As interim CEO, Fussell has been overseeing BBC’s commercial production and distribution arm, developing its global delivery of strategy and performance alongside its response to Covid-19. He will be responsible for leading the development and delivery of global expansion plans, as well as continuing to deepen employee engagement and well-being, putting diversity and inclusion at the heart of BBC Studios and embedding sustainability throughout the company.

Fussell joined BBC Worldwide as chief financial officer in 2016, taking on the same role in the newly merged BBC Studios in 2018, and later adding property and technology to his brief. Fussell will also be a member of the BBC’s executive committee.

Tim Davie, BBC’s director-general, said: “In the last year, Tom has proven himself an outstanding leader for BBC Studios, steering the company through its most difficult times with both conviction and compassion, and delivering strong results. We share immense ambition for the business: making bold and brilliant content for audiences everywhere and taking world-class British programs and journalism to the world in new ways. I’m delighted that Tom will be leading the BBC Studios team to achieve this vision.”

Fussell added: “I’m honored to be heading up BBC Studios for the future. BBC Studios is a core part of the BBC Group, and increasingly supports across all its strategic priorities from unique high priority content and impartiality to online and, of course, commercial income. With ambition to serve both British and international audiences in new ways, my role is to work with everyone in BBC Studios to strengthen and transform all we do for the future.”