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| BBC confirms James Purnell as radio chief BBC confirms James Purnell as radio chief | |
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| The BBC has confirmed that former Labour culture secretary James Purnell will succeed Helen Boaden as the corporation’s director of radio. | The BBC has confirmed that former Labour culture secretary James Purnell will succeed Helen Boaden as the corporation’s director of radio. |
| Boaden, who earlier this week confirmed that she is set to retire, has worked at the BBC for 34 years. | Boaden, who earlier this week confirmed that she is set to retire, has worked at the BBC for 34 years. |
| Purnell’s new role will see him take charge of radio, education, arts, music, learning and children’s departments, confirming him as one of the leading internal candidates to potentially take over from director general Lord Hall when he stands down in the next two or three years. | Purnell’s new role will see him take charge of radio, education, arts, music, learning and children’s departments, confirming him as one of the leading internal candidates to potentially take over from director general Lord Hall when he stands down in the next two or three years. |
| “I grew up loving the BBC, so it’s been a privilege to work here, fighting for a licence fee increase in the 1990s and now working on charter review,” said Purnell. “I’m delighted to have been asked to lead the new division. We’ve got a singular advantage in all our areas: we either have or could get global rights. I want us to use this advantage to think about how we could take on the world for the benefit of our audiences and for Britain.” | “I grew up loving the BBC, so it’s been a privilege to work here, fighting for a licence fee increase in the 1990s and now working on charter review,” said Purnell. “I’m delighted to have been asked to lead the new division. We’ve got a singular advantage in all our areas: we either have or could get global rights. I want us to use this advantage to think about how we could take on the world for the benefit of our audiences and for Britain.” |
| The former Labour cabinet minister has been widely expected to take over from Boaden and his political background has led Tories including John Whittingdale, the former culture secretary, and Damian Collins, a member of the culture select committee, to argue that his appointment could jeopardise the BBC’s impartiality. | The former Labour cabinet minister has been widely expected to take over from Boaden and his political background has led Tories including John Whittingdale, the former culture secretary, and Damian Collins, a member of the culture select committee, to argue that his appointment could jeopardise the BBC’s impartiality. |
| “I’ve talked a lot about a BBC that’s more digital, more open and more global than ever,” said Hall. “And, with the [royal] charter now all but done, I need the right top team in place, with the right responsibilities, to deliver just that. “I want real ambition: a powerhouse for radio - and our education mission around the world. I know we’ve got the people, programmes and ideas to do just that.” | “I’ve talked a lot about a BBC that’s more digital, more open and more global than ever,” said Hall. “And, with the [royal] charter now all but done, I need the right top team in place, with the right responsibilities, to deliver just that. “I want real ambition: a powerhouse for radio - and our education mission around the world. I know we’ve got the people, programmes and ideas to do just that.” |
| Purnell, who is paid £295,000 a year, joined the BBC as director of strategy in 2013. His promotion to director of radio is seen by some as a reward for his part in negotiating a new favourable royal charter with the government. | Purnell, who is paid £295,000 a year, joined the BBC as director of strategy in 2013. His promotion to director of radio is seen by some as a reward for his part in negotiating a new favourable royal charter with the government. |
| The BBC said that Purnell will stay on the same salary, Boaden is paid £352,900. | The BBC said that Purnell will stay on the same salary, Boaden is paid £352,900. |
| The BBC is to look to appoint an experienced radio executive under Purnell to run the operation day-to-day to make up for his lack of hands-on experience. | The BBC is to look to appoint an experienced radio executive under Purnell to run the operation day-to-day to make up for his lack of hands-on experience. |
| Boaden will continue to run radio until Purnell takes on the new division on 31 October. She will then continue to remain responsible for myBBC, the BBC’s major digital project, until leaving the corporation next March. | Boaden will continue to run radio until Purnell takes on the new division on 31 October. She will then continue to remain responsible for myBBC, the BBC’s major digital project, until leaving the corporation next March. |
| “I love the BBC and it has been the privilege of my life to serve our audiences for 34 years,” said Boaden. “But now is the right time to leave. With a new charter to implement, Tony Hall needs a top team committed to the long haul. By contrast, I am keen to embrace a different life and put my energy, skills and experience into other things I care about.” | “I love the BBC and it has been the privilege of my life to serve our audiences for 34 years,” said Boaden. “But now is the right time to leave. With a new charter to implement, Tony Hall needs a top team committed to the long haul. By contrast, I am keen to embrace a different life and put my energy, skills and experience into other things I care about.” |