Former Bank of England deputy governor Sir David Clementi has been named as the Government’s preferred candidate to become the new BBC Chair.
Rona Fairhead, the current Chair of the BBC Trust, announced she would step down after new Prime Minister Theresa May reversed predecessor David Cameron’s decision to reappoint her to oversee the transition from the Trust to a new BBC Board.
As part of the governance overhaul, responsibility for regulating the BBC will fall to Ofcom which already oversees all other UK broadcasters. Sir David authored the report which called for the Trust’s abolition and will now have to oversee the broadcaster’s move away from its traditional self-regulation.
His appointment will be confirmed following an appearance before Parliament’s Culture Media and Sport select committee later this month.
Culture Secretary Karen Bradley said: “The new BBC Charter will secure the future of the BBC, strengthen it and give it an unprecedented degree of independence.
“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.
“Sir David will bring a wealth of experience to the role and was the strongest candidate in an extremely competitive and high-calibre 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.”
Commenting on his selection, Sir David said: “The BBC is a world class broadcaster and one of the UK’s most beloved and cherished institutions. It would be a great honour to join the BBC at an important time in the organisation’s history.”