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Rona Fairhead to stand down as BBC chair Rona Fairhead to stand down as BBC chair
(35 minutes later)
The chair of the BBC, Rona Fairhead, is to step down after Theresa May indicated that she would have to apply again for the job she was reappointed to by David Cameron just four months ago. The chair of the BBC, Rona Fairhead, is to step down after Theresa May indicated she would have to apply again for the job she was reappointed to by David Cameron just four months ago.
In a statement to the Financial Times, Fairhead said that after “much thought” she had concluded it was appropriate not to re-enter the appointment process.In a statement to the Financial Times, Fairhead said that after “much thought” she had concluded it was appropriate not to re-enter the appointment process.
Cameron only decided in May to ask Fairhead to stay on as chair of the BBC Trust while the corporation made the transition to being governed by a single, powerful board from next year. But that decision was criticised by some, who thought the broadcaster’s governance needed a fresh start.Cameron only decided in May to ask Fairhead to stay on as chair of the BBC Trust while the corporation made the transition to being governed by a single, powerful board from next year. But that decision was criticised by some, who thought the broadcaster’s governance needed a fresh start.
Fairhead’s decision to step aside follows a difficult year for the broadcaster, with Fairhead also criticism from within the corporation for failing to effectively stand up for it during the negotiations leading up to this year’s white paper. Fairhead’s decision to step aside follows a difficult year for the broadcaster, with Fairhead also criticised from within the corporation for failing to effectively stand up for it during the negotiations leading up to this year’s white paper.
The former chief executive of the Financial Times group said in her statement: “I took on leadership of the trust to help stabilise, strengthen and develop the BBC following a very difficult period in its history and through charter review.The former chief executive of the Financial Times group said in her statement: “I took on leadership of the trust to help stabilise, strengthen and develop the BBC following a very difficult period in its history and through charter review.
“I am proud of what I and my colleagues, both at the Trust and the BBC, have accomplished during the past two years.“I am proud of what I and my colleagues, both at the Trust and the BBC, have accomplished during the past two years.
“The prime minister strongly encouraged me to take part in the new appointment process, for what would be a new four-year term as BBC chairman.“The prime minister strongly encouraged me to take part in the new appointment process, for what would be a new four-year term as BBC chairman.
“However, after much thought I have come to the conclusion that I should not do so. It is my belief that it will be better to have a clean break and for the government to appoint someone new.”“However, after much thought I have come to the conclusion that I should not do so. It is my belief that it will be better to have a clean break and for the government to appoint someone new.”
More details soon … The culture, media and sport select committee criticised Cameron’s reappointment of Fairhead, saying there should have been an open selection process. Fairhead also lost a personal supporter when George Osborne left the Treasury.
Under her agreement with the previous government, Fairhead had agreed to stay on until 2018 as part of a transition arrangement. It is unclear whether a new chair can be appointed before the end of the current charter period, at the end of this year, because a truly open recruitment process would take months to complete.
It is understood Fairhead was told just after the parliamentary summer recess by both May and the culture secretary, Karen Bradley, that the government wanted to reopen the process, but she only made her decision public on Tuesday.
Roger Carr, a BBC trustee and a long-time favourite to replace Fairhead, has ruled himself out of the role, making it known that he has his hands full as chairman of BAE.