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Council expert named BBC chairman Council expert named BBC chairman
(20 minutes later)
Sir Michael Lyons, a former market trader and council chief executive, has been named the new BBC chairman.Sir Michael Lyons, a former market trader and council chief executive, has been named the new BBC chairman.
The 57-year-old will take the helm of the BBC Trust, replacing Michael Grade, who left for ITV last November.The 57-year-old will take the helm of the BBC Trust, replacing Michael Grade, who left for ITV last November.
Sir Michael said it was a "great privilege to be appointed chairman" of the corporation.Sir Michael said it was a "great privilege to be appointed chairman" of the corporation.
He added: "I will never lose sight of the public's core expectations of editorial independence and quality programmes." "I will never lose sight of the public's core expectations of editorial independence and quality programmes," he added.
The BBC Trust says it works on behalf of licence fee payers to set the BBC's strategy and ensure the corporation provides high quality and value.
Sir Michael has been chief executive of Wolverhampton, Nottinghamshire and Birmingham councils and was professor of public policy at Birmingham University until last year.Sir Michael has been chief executive of Wolverhampton, Nottinghamshire and Birmingham councils and was professor of public policy at Birmingham University until last year.
Michael Grade left to become executive chairman of ITVHe recently carried out a three-year review of council funding at the request of Gordon Brown, concluding that council tax should remain, with a new top rate band.Michael Grade left to become executive chairman of ITVHe recently carried out a three-year review of council funding at the request of Gordon Brown, concluding that council tax should remain, with a new top rate band.
Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell said: "Sir Michael Lyons is experienced and talented. He has a distinguished track record in local government and a wide range of other sectors.Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell said: "Sir Michael Lyons is experienced and talented. He has a distinguished track record in local government and a wide range of other sectors.
"He will be an excellent chair of the new BBC Trust. Along with the eleven trust members, he will represent the interests of the licence fee payers, ensuring they receive quality programming and value for money.""He will be an excellent chair of the new BBC Trust. Along with the eleven trust members, he will represent the interests of the licence fee payers, ensuring they receive quality programming and value for money."
'Formidable reputation'
Sir Michael's appointment, which was formally made by Queen Elizabeth and announced by Prime Minister Tony Blair's Downing Street office, was also welcomed by BBC director general Mark Thompson.Sir Michael's appointment, which was formally made by Queen Elizabeth and announced by Prime Minister Tony Blair's Downing Street office, was also welcomed by BBC director general Mark Thompson.
In an email to BBC staff he said: "Sir Michael has a formidable reputation in public sector reform and modernisation both at a regional level and nationally. In a statement he said: "Sir Michael has a formidable reputation in public sector reform and modernisation, both at a regional level and nationally.
All of us look forward to working with Michael as we go forward Chitra Bharucha, BBC Trust vice-chairman
"I believe he will be a true champion for all licence payers across the UK, ensuring that the BBC is in the strongest shape creatively and professionally to give audiences the best possible value over the next Charter period.""I believe he will be a true champion for all licence payers across the UK, ensuring that the BBC is in the strongest shape creatively and professionally to give audiences the best possible value over the next Charter period."
A number of potential high-profile candidates for chairman, such as film director Lord Puttnam and Question Time host David Dimbleby, decided not to apply. Regulatory role
The BBC Trust was created by the government to be "the licence fee payer's voice" and ensure an "unprecedented obligation to openness and transparency". Sir Michael becomes the first chairman of the BBC Trust, which replaced the broadcaster's board of governors in January.
The changes follow the Hutton Report in 2004, which highlighted problems with the governors' dual role as both the corporation's champions and regulators. It was created by the government to be "the licence fee payer's voice" and ensure an "unprecedented obligation to openness and transparency."
The change came in the wake of the Hutton Report in 2004, which highlighted problems with the governors' dual role as both the corporation's champions and regulators.
The new position will require Sir Michael to play more of a regulatory role than previous chairmen who were closer to BBC management and had some input over editorial matters.
Chitra Bharucha, vice-chairman and acting chairman of the Trust since November 2006, said: "The Trust has made important decisions in our first three months and significant challenges lie ahead.
"All of us look forward to working with Michael as we go forward."