2 months ago
The BBC has for nan first clip dived into nan world of large tech for its head general.
With reports swirling these past fewer weeks, nan corp has confirmed that erstwhile Google EMEA main Matt Brittin will return connected nan astir powerful domiciled successful British broadcasting, replacing Tim Davie. He will subordinate connected May 18.
BBC chair Samir Shah said: “Matt brings to nan BBC heavy acquisition of starring a high-profile and highly-complex organisation done transformation. He is an outstanding leader and has nan skills needed to navigate nan organisation done nan galore changes taking spot successful nan media marketplace and successful assemblage behaviours.
“Matt’s passion for nan BBC, his knowing of nan challenges facing nan organisation, his committedness to its independency and his determination to support nan BBC’s position arsenic 1 of nan country’s top nationalist assets were captious factors successful nan Board’s determination to name him arsenic nan 18th head general.”
In his first remarks successful nan job, Brittin described nan BBC arsenic an “extraordinary, uniquely British asset” that he is “honored” to lead. “Working alongside truthful galore talented journalists, creatives and technicians, crossed nan state and astir nan world, I subordinate pinch humility, to listen, to learn, to lead, and to service nan public, moving difficult to gain their spot each day,” he continued.
“This is simply a infinitesimal of existent risk, yet besides existent opportunity. The BBC needs nan gait and power to beryllium some wherever stories are, and wherever audiences are. To build connected nan reach, spot and imaginative strengths today, face challenges pinch courage, and thrive arsenic a nationalist work fresh for nan future. I can’t hold to commencement this work.”
A erstwhile McKinsey & Company consultant, Brittin spent 18 years astatine Google, rising to go nan tech titan’s president successful Europe, nan Middle East, and Africa. He near Google past twelvemonth to embark connected what his LinkedIn describes arsenic a “gap year,” successful which he has spent clip reference and running. A “part-time athlete,” he represented Team GB successful nan 1989 World Rowing Championships.
Initially, nan title to switch Davie was being led by 3 female executives: Apple TV Europe leader Jay Hunt, ex-BBC contented leader Charlotte Moore and erstwhile Channel 4 CEO Alex Mahon. They each passed connected nan role. This intends nan hold for a female head wide astatine nan 100-year-old broadcaster goes on, perchance into different decade.
Brittin emerged arsenic nan frontrunner further down nan line, and sources said his candidacy was strengthened by nan paucity of different candidates.
Brittin, who has served connected nan committee of The Guardian and nan Media Trust, is seen by galore arsenic a beardown sound who tin return nan BBC into nan early arsenic charter renewal approaches, utilizing his tech credentials. Although he hasn’t worked successful TV, he is regarded arsenic a champion of nationalist broadcasting who has acquisition managing a large organization.
Some, however, person flagged his deficiency of editorial experience, pointing retired that editorial dramas were what spelled nan extremity for Davie. It is anticipated that Brittin will prosecute a lawman DG, personification who could person news experience. He besides needs to cement a caller caput of news to switch Deborah Turness.
Brittin’s assurance erstwhile appearing successful beforehand of parliamentary committees will besides beryllium nether scrutiny. Ten years ago, he was embarrassed astatine a proceeding astir Google’s committedness to paying corp taxation erstwhile he appeared to propose he didn’t cognize really overmuch he was paid.
Davie, who dramatically discontinue successful November complete a misleadingly edited Donald Trump documentary, formally steps down early adjacent month. He is presently handing complete to Rhodri Talfan Davies, who is now starring meetings arsenic nan BBC’s interim head general.
