Plan to move most of BBC staff out of London ‘hugely disruptive’
THE BBC’S director-general has warned that plans to base twothirds of the broadcaster’s staff outside London will be “hugely disruptive”, but could offer “enormous creative opportunities”.
Speaking at the broadcaster’s Cardiff headquarters, Tony Hall announced plans to increase the BBC’s presence in locations other than the capital.
Addressing staff, he said that by the time the BBC’s charter comes to an end in 2027 he hopes to have “at least” achieved his twothirds target.
He said: “I know all the risks. It will take time. It would cost money. It could be hugely disruptive.
“But it is an enormous creative opportunity; for audiences, for talent, for the UK.
“It will make us more relevant; more in touch with audiences; more alive to creative opportunities.”
He announced that Salford would become the “heart” of the BBC Sounds app and a design and engineering tech hub would be set up in Newcastle.
He also said the broadcaster would “produce much more journalism” in the north of England, with a large proportion of digital growth coming from there.
“Today, over half our spending – and half our teams – are away from the capital,” he said.
Lord Hall added that up to 150 jobs would be created with the BBC Studios, the commercial arm of the broadcaster, in Bristol, which is home to the organisation’s natural history film-making activities.
He also announced that BritBox, a UK streaming service set up with other broadcasters to counter the dominance of US platforms, would be expanding into other countries.
An announcement about the move is expected later this year, he said.
The BBC decided in 2004 to move large parts of its operation to Salford Quays.
Around 3,200 staff work in 26 departments.
And last October Channel 4 moved its national headquarters to Leeds, with 250 jobs in the city.