Departing BBC boss reflects on time of changes

Hall will move to the National Gallery

THE OUTGOING BBC DirectorGeneral Lord Tony Hall says the broadcaster is facing up to the challenges of major reforms as he announced he will step down from the top job which he has held for seven years.

Lord Hall has been at the helm of the BBC during some of its most turbulent years, as the broadcasting giant faces up to scrutiny over equal pay, diversity among its workforce and political bias. The last few years have also been dominated by the ongoing challenges for free TV licences for over-75s.

He has now been appointed by the National Gallery as its chairman of the board of trustees, and will take over the role from Sir John Kingman, who has been the interim chairman since Hannah Rothschild stood down from the role in September.

In a letter to BBC staff yesterday, Lord Hall said he felt he is “leaving the BBC in a much stronger place than when I joined”, adding: “It feels a very different organisation – more innovative, more open, more inclusive, more efficient, more commercially aware.

“And a BBC that’s on cracking creative form. You all have my thanks and admiration for the part you’ve played in that success.”

However, he did acknowledge the corporation was facing up to significant changes.

He added: We have to keep adapting, reforming and leading.

“Our values are timeless but the need for constant change is ever-present. The BBC has changed hugely in recent years – and that’s going to continue. We have to embrace the opportunities it brings.”

Lord Hall will continue as the Director-General for six months before departing in the summer. Having taken up the post in 2013, he said it was a “hard decision” to make, but wanted to put “the interests of the organisation first”.

His departure comes amid a turbulent time for the BBC, with Samira Ahmed and Sarah Montague among the high-profile talent who have received recent payouts over equal pay disputes.

Ms Ahmed won an employment tribunal against the broadcaster when she claimed she was underpaid by a reported £700,000 for hosting audience feedback show Newswatch compared with Jeremy Vine’s salary for TV show Points of View.

Radio presenter Ms Montague won a £400,000 settlement and an apology from the BBC after being treated “unequally” by them for many years.

BBC chairman Sir David Clementi said Lord Hall is an “inspirational creative leader”.

The BBC Board will advertise for Lord Hall’s replacement, and Sir David said they are “committed to selecting the best qualified person for the job”.