Former Bank of England deputy governor Sir David Clementi has been confirmed as the BBC’s next chairman.
Clementi will head up the BBC Board, which replaces the BBC Trust under the reformed BBC Charter. The abolition of the Trust was recommended by Clementi in an independent review he led himself last year.
The review found the Trust was “flawed” in its role as both BBC watchdog and decision-maker and that a “fundamental reform” was needed. It recommended the BBC instead be regulated by Ofcom, a move which is due take place in April.
Clementi, also a former chairman of financial services firm Prudential, was selected following an open recruitment process under the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
He was chosen ahead of fellow candidates, former civil servant Dame Deirdre Hutton and chairman of publishers Penguin Random House John Makinson.
The selection panel was headed by a Public Appointments Assessor and included two independent panel members and one government representative.
Clementi is to appear before the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee for pre-appointment scrutiny on 17 January.
Current BBC Trust chairman Fiona Fairhead decided to leave the role after two years rather than applying for the new position.
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.”
Clementi added: “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.”
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