Banker ‘honoured’ to be new BBC chair
FORMER Goldman Sachs banker Richard Sharp has been named as the next chairman of the BBC.
Sharp, also a former chair of the Royal Academy of Arts, has a background in public service. He was selected following “an open and rigorous competition”, it was revealed last Wednesday (6).
He is set to succeed David Clementi, a former deputy governor of the Bank of England who took up the role in 2017, next month.
In a brief statement released via the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Sharp welcomed his selection.
“The BBC is at the heart of British cultural life and I’m honoured to be offered the chance to help guide it through the next chapter in its history,” he said.
Culture secretary Oliver Dowden said Sharp’s prior leadership in finance and commerce, alongside his “passion for culture and public service” made him the ideal candidate for the position.
“He is exactly the chair that the BBC needs right now,” Dowden said.
“I’m confident he will drive forward reforms to the BBC to ensure its impartially reflects and serves the needs of all parts of the UK, and evolves to remain a global success that is central to British
national life ahead,” he added.
Sharp is set to appear before lawmakers on the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee next week for “pre-appointment scrutiny”. He will then be formally appointed to the role by the Queen, who chooses the chairman on the advice of ministers under the BBC’s royal charter.
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