WHO’S IN THE RUNNING FOR TOP JOB

Dame Carolyn McCall, 58

HAS been ITV chief executive since 2018, after running easyJet for seven years. Before that, she was head of Guardian Media Group. At ITV, she launched the streaming service BritBox. She axed The Jeremy Kyle Show last year following the death of a contestant who took his own life after appearing on the show.

James Purnell, 49

THE BBC’s current director of radio and education, Purnell was secretary of state for work and pensions between 2008 and 2009. His experience in politics would put him in a strong position in negotiations with the Government. His former role as the BBC’s director of strategy and digital could also give him an invaluable insight into the best of taking on American streaming television providers.

Charlotte Moore, 51

BBC director of content, having been controller of BBC One from 2013 to 2016. She warns that the success of streaming giants such as Amazon and Netflix is likely to lead to fewer distinctively British shows.

Sarah Sands, 58

HAS been at the head of Today – BBC Radio 4’s flagship news and current affairs radio programme – since 2017. Miss Sands was appointed the first female editor of The Sunday Telegraph in 2005. Between 2012 and 2017, she served as editor of the London Evening Standard before beginning her current role at the BBC.

Dame Sharon White, 52

IS about to start a new job as chairman of the John Lewis Partnership. She was chief executive of the media regulator Ofcom from March 2015 to November 2019. Her role at Ofcom means she is used to working with the BBC and is well briefed on the challenges being faced by the corporation.

Tim Davie, 52

THE chief executive officer of BBC Studios. Davie was made acting director-general of the corporation following the resignation of George Entwistle in November 2012. His work with BBC Studios means he understands the commercial challenges of competing with American broadcasters such as Netflix.

Jay Hunt, 52

APPLE’S creative director for TV in Europe was formerly chief creative officer of Channel 4. She has also been director of programmes at Channel 5 and controller of BBC One. She helped Channel 4 buy the Great British Bake Off on the BBC from Love Productions. Her work for Apple would put her in a strong position when addressing the challenge of helping the broadcaster succeed in the digital age.

Alex Mahon, 46

HAS been the chief executive of Channel 4 since October 2017, becoming the first female boss of a major British broadcaster. Prior to this, Miss Mahon was chief executive of the visual effects software developer Foundry.